Austin Bay, in his column (Nov. 21) about Gen. Sherman’s march through Georgia to end the Civil War, mentioned the role of Major-General O.O. Howard, who commanded half of the Northern troops.

It might be noted that Howard has local roots: He was born in Leeds. He graduated from Bowdoin College and West Point, was appointed colonel of the 3rd Maine Infantry regiment when war broke out, and rose quickly through the ranks during the war.

He lost his right arm while leading his men against Confederate forces at Fair Oaks in June 1862, an action which later earned him the Medal of Honor.

As the war ended, President Lincoln appointed Howard commissioner of the Freedmen’s Bureau, with the mission of integrating four million freed slaves into Southern society.

Howard founded Howard University, which was named in his honor, and later led troops in the Indian Wars and became one of the longest-serving generals in the U.S. Army.

Howard earned a rightful place among the nation’s heroes. Maine can be very proud of him.

Incidentally, the Androscoggin Historical Society has Howard’s 1,000-page autobiography available in its library to readers who want to learn more about his life and career.

Russ Burbank, Lewiston