I think sometimes things make it into “the books” as they say, and are just accepted. This isn’t the only thing related to Howard that I have found to have no documentary support – there’s also the “fact” that he tried to “shift blame” for the results of July 1, 1863 to Abner Doubleday. The story of Howard’s “torpedo” is completely unsupported, but repeated by dozens of writers.

Until I see contemporary evidence, I’ll file Howard’s nickname in the “myth” folder, along with his famous “torpedo”.

Recently, I picked up Elliott West’s “The Last Indian War: The Nez Perce Story” (Oxford University Press, 2009). On page 137, the author outlines Howard’s military career, noting the outflanking of XI Corps at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg, adding, “In those and other engagements, his command suffered heavy losses. At some point his men gave General O.O. Howard a wry nickname: ‘Uh-Oh’ Howard.” His footnote references page 84 of the 1995 biography “Ambrose Bierce: Alone in Bad Company,” by Roy Morris, Jr.

I remember chuckling at that because although I’m no Howard buff, I’ve read extensively on the ACW and, like you, it was the first time I’d seen that soldiers’ sobriquet of their commander ever used, in contemporary material or elsewhere. The only nickname I could recall for him was “the Christian general.” Now it pops up again in another recent work. It’d be interesting to learn Bonds’ source.

As always, I appreciate your balanced reviews and enjoy your insights — as well as your droll comments. Keep ‘em coming! Thanks.