OO Howard Union General Author:Gerald Weland Civil War leaders abound who were ensnared by the web of strategy and battle, while losing sight of principles or the cause. But for O.O. Howard, the Civil War was a chance to advance his vision of what the United States could become, a vision of assimilation for all people and not merely the emancipation of the slaves. A distinguished combat ve... more »teran, General Howard was awarded the Medal of Honor and was one of only 15 Civil War servicemen to receive the official thanks of Congress. After the war, Howard assumed command of the Freedman's Bureau and worked diligently on Reconstruction. During this period, he realized that freed blacks sorely needed advanced educational opportunities, and soon thereafter "the Christian general" founded America's first college for blacks. He would later serve in the Indian Wars and, as President Grant's emissary, he spearheaded that war's sole successful, albeit short-lived, peace plan.« less