A Rare Recording of Julius Howell, Civil War Confederate Soldier

By: Julius Howell

Narrated by: Julius Howell

Length: 11 mins

Publisher's summary

Julius Franklin Howell was born in Suffolk, Virginia, in 1846. He enlisted in the Confederate States Army in 1862 and served in the 24th Virginia Cavalry until 1864 when his regiment was moved to the north of Richmond as Robert E. Lee and Ulysses S. Grant fought near Petersburg. Howell took part in the cavalry charge against Union artillery and infantry at a clearing near the Darbytown Road, during which he was shot in the leg.

After his recovery, Howell returned to fight and was captured at the Battle of Sailor's Creek in Amelia County, Virginia, on April 6, 1865, and held in a Union prison at Point Lookout, MD. when he heard about the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln. After the war, he became an educator, preserving the memories of the Confederate soldier and serving as Commander-in-Chief of the United Confederate Veterans for decades. In 1947, he gave the following recording about his wartime experiences. He died a year later at the age of 102.

Public Domain (P)2022 Listen & Live Audio

magnificent

I loved it, to hear someone speak from there heart and was there is really something. Every one should listen to his story about what they really were fighting for . Wish there was more.

I love the ending

What a gem….. invaluable recording!!! I could never have imagined there are recordings of these people!!!

Very interesting

Interesting auditory peak into the life of a soldier from the Civil War. So human and real and lively. I wished I could’ve heard so much more. It sounded like he was getting geared up to expound on his opinion on what the war was about and why it was really fought. Would have been enlightening to hear.

Fascinating, but false

The very sensation of hearing a civil war vet speak is breathtaking. It’s apparent much of what he said was cobbled together after the war when he was speaking of the macro view of the war. His vignettes about daily life are incredible.

But the last 2 minutes ruined it. The south did fight to preserve and extend slavery—their own ‘vice president’ alexander Stephens loudly proclaimed it in his ‘cornerstone speech.’ Robert Edward Lee was not a leading manumitter. His father in law george Washington Parke Custis did free slaves upon his death , the Lee wanted the manumission extended and delayed for ‘financial’ reasons and even had a runaway whipped.
Howell’s recording took place during the time of the myth of the Lost Cause—which has now been firmly debunked. His testimony nonetheless will instruct for years to come.

Southern USA born

As a southern born African American second generation veteran I’ve long wondered what southern confederate and northern union soldiers thought of human rights and god given freedoms. This recording is a rare window and gem of history. Thank you.

Voice from history

Rare oral remembrance of a 101-year-old Confederate soldier about the end of the Civil War