George Howe and the Civil War

A frock coat worn in the Civil War by George Howe

George Howe left his home in Shorehm, Vermont in 1862 and enlisted with the eleventh Regiment, Vermont Volunteers. He served as an artilleryman until the end of the war.

The first year of his enlistment was spent in camp from April 1864 until the end of the war he was on the move with his Regiment fighting in Spotsylvania where he was nearly wounded, Cold Harbor, Petersburg more that once, Strasburg, and other places.

In George's letters he tells Lorette of how the "Boys of Shoreham" were doing, of the songs the band played in the evening hours, of his experiences in camp, on the march, and on the battlefield. But most of all he tells of his lonesome heart for the girl back home.

Lorette Back Home in Vermont

While George was off fighting in the Civil War Lorette stayed at home in Shoreham. In her letters she relays to George a good picture of life at home in Shoreham. She tells of the war's severe effects on some people, and how community activities including dances and putting together photo albums consumed much of her free time. Most of all she tells of her longing for her beau who was far away off at war.

Lorette scribing a letter to George at her desk