Oliver Howard Accomplishments

Oliver Otis Howard was a valiant union general, a member of the Freedmen’s Bureau, and the founder Howard University. Howard was born in Leeds, Maine, but he spent most of his childhood at a school in North Yarmouth, until he went to Bowdoin College and graduated in 1850. Four years later, he graduated from the U.S. military academy at West Point. Although he studied military tactics, he proceeded to become an assistant professor in mathematics at West Point. His military career started out with him becoming a colonel for the 3rd Maine Volunteer Infantry in 1861. Throughout his time in the military, he moved up in military rank until in the spring of 1863, he was promoted to the head of XI Corps. He fought brilliantly in many battles and even though he lost his right arm at the battle of Fair Oaks, he soon recovered and went on to lead the XI Corps in the battle of Gettysburg. …show more content…
He had been a abolitionist since before the Civil War broke out, and to support the anti- slavery community, he joined the Freedmen’s Bureau. The organization’s goal was to help free African Americans transition from slavery into freedom. As the first, official, federal welfare system, the Freedmen’s bureau worked to improve African Americans’ lives by building hospitals and schools, and establishing teacher- training programs. In 1867, Oliver Howard founded one of the most foremost African American colleges, Howard University. One of the reasons Howard University was so successful was because it received government funding due to General Oliver Howard’s participation in the program. Oliver Howard wanted African Americans to have as much access to proper education as white people. Howard University continues to educate young men and women to this