Shephard L. Howard

Shephard L. Howard was born in Massachusetts on February 23, 1831. Shortly after his birth, his parents moved to Dearbornville (later Dearborn) Michigan. The family was one of the early pioneers of the area, and Shephard's father was an important individual in the community; for a time, he was the local postmaster.

In the summer of 1862, Shephard was employed as an engineer in Dearborn. He enlisted in Company D on August 12, 1862 at Detroit. Most of the other Dearborn boys had already enlisted. He was older than most at age 31. Company D was mustered into service on August 13, 1862.

Shephard was promoted to 6th Corporal on November 25, 1862. He was later wounded in the arm at Fitzhugh crossing on April 29, 1863. The exact nature of his wound is not known, although in the lowermost picture on this page he is holding his right arm in an extremely awkward position.

Shephard was promoted to 2nd Sergeant on June 25, 1863. For some reason he seems to have missed the Battle of Gettysburg. Perhaps he was recuperating from his wound, or he may have been on detached service. Regardless, he eventually returned to duty with Company D. He was promoted to 1st Sergeant on October 7, 1863. Shephard was fortunate enough to be sent back to Michigan on recruiting duty from March 21, 1864 to May 1, 1864.

Shephard rejoined the Regiment in time to participate in Grant's Overland campaign. He was again wounded in the hand at Laurel Hill (filed of Spottsylvania), on May 12, 1864. Based on surviving photographic evidence, this wound resulted in the loss of the 4th and 5th digits of his right hand. Interestingly, he goes to great pains to display this hand, even in post-war images. He must have been proud of the sacrifice he made for his country.

After recuperating from his wound, Shephard rejoined the 24th Michigan in the fall of 1864. He was commissioned first lieutenant of company I on October 4, 1864. He was mustered at that rank on December 3, 1864. Accepting this promotion meant leaving Dearborn boys in Company D.

After the Regiment was assigned to duty at Camp Butler, Illinois, Shephard Howard was transferred once more, accepting a lieutenancy in Company K on February 1, 1865.

Lieutenant Howard mustered out with the Regiment at Detroit on June 30, 1865.

Both of the Photographs on this page were taken after his promotion to Lieutenant in October 1864. One or both may have been taken at Springfield, Illinois. Please note that Shephard Howard was extremely cross-eyed.

Shephard Howard died on August 28, 1918. He was 87 years old. He and his wife are buried in Northview Cemetery, Dearborn, Michigan

He was in the battles of Fredericksburg, Fitzhugh Crossing, Locust Grove, Wilderness, Laurel Hill (Spottsylvania), Siege of Petersburg, and Dabney's Mill. Shephard was on the Mud March, the Port Royal Expedition, Campaign of Maneuvers, Mine Run, and the Raid to the Meherrin River.

The images above are courtesy of the Sate Archives of Michigan and are used with permission