CHAPTER XV.--OLIVER O. HOWARD.
Can there be a Christian Soldier?--General Howard's Birth--His Military Education--His Life Before the Rebellion--Resigns in Order to get into the Field--Made Brigadier for Good Conduct at Bull Run--Commands the Eleventh Corps and Joins the Army at Chattanooga--His Services in the Army of the Potomac-- Extreme Calmness on the Field of Battle--Services with Sherman --Sherman's high Opinion of him--Col. Bowman's Admiration of Howard's Christian Observances--Patriotic Services while Invalided at Home--Reproves the Swearing Teamster--Placed over the Freedmen's Bureau--The Central Historic Fact of the War--The Rise of Societies to Help the Freedmen--The Work of the Freedmen's Bureau--Disadvantages Encountered by it, and by General Howard--Results of the Bureau thus far--Col. Bowman's Description of Gen. Howard's Duties--Gen. Sherman's Letter to Gen. Howard on Assuming the Post--Estimate of Gen. Howard's Abilities. 447