WESTVILLE AND THE CIVIL WAR
A TALK PREPARED BY
RICHARD M. BURR
MAY 27, 1993
Obtaining information for this talk was extremely difficult. I checked the muster rolls of the New Jersey Volunteers during
the Civil War and found that no residents of Westville enlisted. So I decided to find out what was happening in Westville during the Civil War. I read nearly all of the county newspapers published from 1861 through 1865 and didn't find one mention of Westville. There was great interest in the War in many parts of our county, but evidently not in Westville.
Several weeks ago at the Gloucester County Historical
Society in Woodbury, I happened on an article published in 1915 entitled "History of the Eighty-fifth Regiment, Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, 1861-1865" by Luther S. Dickey. In it Joshua Blackwood Howell of Fancy Hill was mentioned. Al though born in what is now West Deptford, his parents farm extended into present day Westville. Thus I discovered someone from Westville who fought in the Civil War. I would now like to read portions
of the article to you.
Brig. General Joshua Blackwood Howell was born at Fancy Hill on September 11, 1806 and died at the Headquarters of the
10th Corps, near Petersburg, Virginia on September 14, 1864, from injuries received about 1 o'clock in the morning of September 12, and while in temporary command of the 3rd Division of the
10th Corps.
General Howell was the tenth child of Colonel Joshua Ladd
Howell and his wife Anna Blackwood Howell of Fancy Hill (also known as Washington Park). Gen. Howell's father, Colonel J.
Ladd Howell, commanded the 2nd Regiment of New Jersey troops during the War of 1812, guarding the approaches to Philadelphia
from the sea, on the New Jersey side of the Delaware River. His paternal
grandfather, Colonel John Ladd Howell, of Candor Hall, was a commissary of the Revolutionary Army, and is frequently
mentioned in the records as having been detailed on important expeditions to visit powder mills and to
collect subsistence stores for the Army, on one of which he was escorted by Harry
Lee's Legion. He is also mentioned as a member of a Court Martial Board. The
General's paternal great-grandparents were John Howell, and his wile Catherine Ladd Howell, of Candor Hall.
John Howell, the great-grandfather, was the son of Jacob Howell, of Chester, Pennsylvania, and his wife, Sarah Vernon Howell, a
niece of Admiral Vernon of the British Navy. The father of Jacob Howell was John Howell who emigrated from Wales to
Pennsylvania, after the death of his wife, with his three children, Jacob, Evan, and Sarah, in 1698, settled in
Philadelphia and is buried in the old Cemetery at Fourth and Arch Streets. Catherine Ladd,
the great-granddaughter of Gen. Howell, was the daughter of John Ladd, an English surveyor who
settled in Burlington, New Jersey in 1678. Upon his first visit to this country in 1681, William Penn commissioned Ladd to layout
the City of Philadelphia. Upon Penn's return in 1683, he found that Ladd had performed this work in a very satisfactory manner, and
paid him therefore the sum of 50 pounds Sterling. In 1688 Ladd became possessor of about 7,000 acres of heavily timbered land,
fronting on the Delaware River, forming what was then called Ladd's Cove, and in later years became known as Howell's Cove.
It is frequently spoken of as the "Horse Shoe" , and lies between Gloucester and Red Bank (or Eagles) Point. Shortly after the
purchase of this tract of land, Ladd built the Manor House, Candor Hall, the main portion of which was of brick made on the
grounds, and flanked on either end by expansive wings: of hewn timber. This was built probably about 1690. The brick
two-story portion is still standing in good condition on Lafayette Street in Colonial Manor, and is the birth-place of nine of Gen. Howell's brothers and sisters. John Ladd lived to a great age
and became prominent in Colonial affairs and for years was a member of the Proprietary Governor's Council. By inheritance,
Col. Joshua B. Howell's father became the owner 0Ł about 3,000 acres of the Ladd estate, including " Candor Hall " , and the
portion fronting on the- Delaware River, together with the shad--and herring fisheries, the grants to which gave
possession to the middle of the river channel. About midway of this river frontage and within
100 yards of the river bluff, Gen. Howell's parents built their new home, "Fancy Hill", completing it in
1805. This manor house was of brick, two stories to the eaves, with the third story finished with dormer windows piercing the
roof. The total frontage of this house was 90 feet, and 43 fee-t in width, with cellars underlying the entire structure. The
grounds were laid out with great care, and, taken altogether, it was a beautiful home with a magnificent outlook. Upon its
completion Gen. Howell's parents with their family moved from Candor Hall and took up their residence there. Gen. Howell was
born here on September 11, 1806. His brother, Benjamin Paschal Howell, M.D., was born here on
November 26, 1808. Upon the death of Gen. Howell's father in 1818, at the age of 51 years,
his widow, Anna Blackwood Howell took upon herself the management of her large estate and the education of her younger children.
with exceptionally eminent executive ability, foresight and prudence she was entirely successful, and the widely recognized hospitality of "Fancy Hill" was maintained. She earned and
received the unstinted love, admiration, and respect of all classes of society. Born in Woodbury in 1769, her memory was
perfectly clear as to the stirring events incident to the occupation of that part of the country and of Philadelphia by the British and Hessians. The home of her stepfather, Col. Joseph
Ellis, in Haddonfield was seized and occupied by Count Von Donop, and used as headquarters for sometime prior to his disastrous
assault on Fort Mercer , at Red Bank on the Delaware. Of this gigantic young nobleman, who became very found of her, she told
many interesting anecdotes. The town of Blackwood was founded by her grandfather, who gave it his own name. Her death
occurred January 14, 1855, at the age of 86, retaining her vivacity and activity to the last, and during the night,
succeeding a day of enjoyment spent with her son and "daughter",
Dr. and Mrs. Benjamin P. Howell at Candor Hall, driving back to Fancy Hill late in the afternoon.
Gen. Joshua B. Howell was educated at Woodbury, New Jersey and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania , studying law under Richard C .
Wood, Esg., at the latter place. While in Philadelphia when in his 21st year, he wrote to his mother, who was visiting her
eldest child at Princeton, N.J., Samuel Ladd Howell, M.D., who held the chair of Anatomy at Princeton University.
Gen. Howell was admitted to the bar at the age of 21, and shortly thereafter, during the summer of 1827 settled in Uniontown, Pennsylvania, and was admitted to the Fayette County Bar on January 5, 1828. He was appointed District Attorney or Assistant Attorney General during his first year of
practice holding that position for several years. Under date of May 22, 1829, in a letter to his mother, he refers to his reception at
his new home as follows:
"I have received nothing but kindness in this place. I am exceedingly busy now preparing for an important case which is to be tried next court. It has excited a great decal of interest
in this county, and well it may, for if we establish our case, one-half the property in the County belongs to the United States, at least that which lies on the National Road."
Gen. Howell formed a law partnership with Judge Thomas Irwin, and later with Judge Nathaniel Ewing, both eminent members of the bar. He soon acquired a reputation as a careful and able lawyer and was very successful in his pleadings before Juries.
He had a predilection for military affairs and for some years prior to the Civil War had occupied the rank of brigadier general
of the State Militia. In politics he affiliated with the Democratic party and was an elector on the Douglas and Johnson
ticket in the presidential campaign of 1860. Gen. Howell was twice married. On April 7, 1831, he married Mary Lewis,
daughter of Reeve and Rachel W. T. Lewis, of Philadelphia. She was born November 22,
1809, in Philadelphia, and died September 7, 1852, at Fancy Hill, after a happy married life, during which several children were born, all dying
in early infancy, save Anna Blackwood Howell, who married David S. Stewart, a son of old
"Tariff Andy" and a brother of Adjutant Stewart of the 85th Regiment. Mrs. Anna Blackwood Howell Stewart died in
Washington, D. C. June 4 , 1905 ; her husband predeceased her by eight years. From this marriage two children were born, Howell
and Andrew. Howell Stewart was born May 10, 1862 and died March 29, 1913. He
married Olive Rebecca Barton of Pittsburgh, who bore him three children.
Gen. Howell's second marriage was to Catherine Whitely of Wilmington, Delaware, the marriage taking place on October 15,
1854. Of this marriage there were two children, one of which married Maj. Albert Blackstone Scott, who was severely wounded at
San Juan Hill so that he was never afterward able to walk without assistance, and finally died as a result of his wounds on January
10, 1906.
There was an exceptionally strong bond of attachment between Gen. Howell and his younger brother, Dr. Benjamin P. Howell. In
childhood, boyhood and youth they were inseparable, riding together on the same pony to the Woodbury Academy. Shortly
after locating at Uniontown, in a letter to his mother, the General gives evidence of his regard for his brother. For
wives, they chose sisters, and with these: wives, they now rest in the same burial lot in Eglington Cemetery. The Howells, Ladds and Lewises were all "Friends". Gen. Howell's
grandfather, Col. Joshua Ladd Howell , was expelled from the society for participation in the Revolutionary War, and his father, for participating
in the War of 1812. The General's mother united with the Society of Friends upon her marriage and remained a member until death-but always held a pew in the Presbyterian Church in Woodbury.
The last days of Gen. Howell's military life are described
by himself in a letter to his brother Benjamin , and in letters to his daughter, Mrs. Anna Howell Stewart. The letter to his brother was without date, but was no doubt written on
Aunt 20, 1864, the day following his return to his command from his last visit to his boyhood
home. It is as follows:
Headquarters, 1st Brigade
1st Division, 10th A.C., In the Field
My beloved Brother: On my way up the River , I discovered that our whole Corps had moved to this side of the River. I reached the front at one o'clock in the morning, Aunt 19, and immediately assumed command of my Brigade. We had some very sharp fighting yesterday. I lost some men. On Sunday and Tuesday there was very hard fighting. My Brigade suffered severely, both officers and enlisted men. My Asst. Adjt. Gen. was badly wounded, also. I am writing in the open air on a box and it is raining. I must close. Show this to beloved dear sister Anna; to whom and her dear family give my most affectionate love. Give my love to my dear sister Rachel and to your dear children. God bless you all and protect you all. Ever your most affectionate brother,
Joshua B. Howell
Gen. Howell wrote to his daughter under date of August 27, 1864, as follows:
On the 22nd received orders to march and move on to this place, and here we are in front of the celebrated City of Petersburg. My
command is a mile and a quarter from the City . The steeples of the churches-and the clock are plainly
in sight from my forts. The celebrated Burnside mine and crater are directly in front of us. About 300 yards from us are two of my forts. We are under heavy fire of artillery and musketry the entire day and night-shell and ball (rifle and artillery) fly about headquarters with "a perfect looseness." An orderly's horse was shot this morning just in front of my quarters. A shell exploded over my quarters about thirty paces beyond
i t in front, whilst I was asleep yesterday morning. I am very busy; I have in addition to my Brigade a line of heavy forts (5)
containing in all 42 pieces of artillery of different caliber
under my command.
Two days later, August 29, he wrote to her as follows:
We are firing tremendously; three shells and lots of rifle
balls have come over my headquarters. The shells struck the ground within ten paces of my quarters. Whilst I am writing the booming of cannon and the fire in the trenches is magnificent.
Yesterday I was Corps Officer of the Day, and as we rode out of the ravine in front of Fort Clifton (Rebel) with my escort, the
Fort blazed away, the balls passing over our heads; my compliments to Petersburg. I shall go out to the forts
directly, and will open fire from everything on the Rebs and on Petersburg.
Under date of September 4, he again wrote to his daughter:
To my great surprise I received an order last week assigning
me to the command of this Division (Third) during the illness of the
general-commanding who has gone to Fort Monroe. It is a high compliment from Corps Headquarters and a responsible
command. I am now separated from my dear old brigade (it is in another part of the line.) As soon as I can go there I will
make inquiries about my wounded soldiers. I am sure Stephen McDowell is living .In one of my visits through my regimental hospitals at Bermuda- Hundred a day before we left there, I saw
him sick with neuralgia. I inquired for him afterward and heard he was better. We had a splendid fireworks between
my line of batteries and the enemy last night. Some of our batteries threw 4 shells at once. To see them on their blazing
way through the heavens, and then their explosion! It was grand. I regret that it was not my privilege to be in the
battles of the 14th, etc. , in which my Brigade distinguished itself. Thank Heaven, I
was there and led them in the fight of the last day.
Ten days after penning the
above lines Gen. Howell was dead. His death occurred a t 7 p.m., September 14 , 1864, three days
after the 58th anniversary of his birth. His body arrived at Woodbury on September 19, 1864. His death caused universal
gloom throughout the town, and Broad Street was draped in black on the day of his burial.
Though aggressive,
impulsive, and quick of temper, his general and courtly bearing, extreme
generosity and many other lovable traits had made him a universal favorite in Woodbury, as
well as in the army. The esteem in which he was held in Woodbury and Gloucester County is
evidenced by the fact that the Grand Army Post of Woodbury is named after him,
notwithstanding the county lost two other general officers, both of whom were graduates of West Point. Had Gen. Howell survived the war, it
was his intention to spend his latter years amid the scenes of his youthful days. This was made evident in a letter to his
daughter which he wrote in January of 1864.
General Howell's courage and urbanity, coupled with his zeal
and ambition to always be at the front where the danger was the greatest, were recognized by his superior officers. Gen. Casey recommended him for promotion to Brigadier-General of Volunteers,
for his gallant conduct at Seven Pines, and President Lincoln forwarded his name to the Senate for confirmation to that
position, but that body adjourned without considering it, as along with it there was a large list nominated for promotion.
He had been repeatedly recommended for promotion to Brigadier-General of Volunteers, but the commission never reached his
hands , it not being issued beŁore he had become unconscious , two days preceding his death. On September 26, 1864, in General
Orders, No .139, Department of the South , Hilton Head, South Carolina , Maj.
Gen. John G. Foster , commanding, ordered a new fortification then recently erected at Mitchellville to "be known
as Fort Howell, after Brigadier General Joshua B. Howell, formerly colonel of the 85th Pennsylvania
Volunteers killed at Petersburg, Virginia September 14, 1864."
Gen. Howell's remains were first interred in the
Presbyterian Cemetery in Woodbury, but subsequently were removed to Eglington Cemetery. The General's grave stone is of
Italian marble but very much impaired by the climate. It is about four feet high with a sword in its
scabbard and apparently supported by the belt resting on the top - the sword hanging diagonally on
the front of the stone. The only inscription on the front of the stone is simply the name:
Gen. Joshua B. Howell
On the reverse side the inscription is as follows:
Brigadier General
Joshua B. Howell
1st Brigade 1st Division
10th Army Corps
Born Sept. 10, 1806
Died from injuries received by the
falling of his horse while in
temporary command
of the 3rd Div. 10th Corps
In front of Petersburg, Va.
Sept. 14, 1864.