Letter written by Howe to his wife a year before his enlistment. Written while he was working for the Hewett (possibly Hewitt) family in Veteran, Chemung County in southern New York.

Letter written by Howe while working with the Hewetts. Howe expresses a desire to pay off his debts and send his wife money. He also provides directions about financial matters at home.

Howe mentions that he does not have money to send home yet. He asks Jeanette to seek financial help from her father and to get someone to stay with her while he is away.

Howe expresses his affection for Jeanette and is happy to learn that his brother has found a companion to stay with her. In a separate letter directed to his brother, he mentions that he is coming home briefly in three weeks time.

Howe writes to Jeanette about his work and matters at home and expresses a desire to return.

Howe discusses his work and gives Jeannette directions on matters at home.

Howe expresses concern for his wife's health after hearing that she is ill. He tells her that he can't come home from New York yet but lets her know that he has no intention of enlisting in the army.

Howe mentions that he is relieved to hear that his wife is feeling better and asks about people back home. He also tells Jeanette that he probably can't return until mid-December.

Written several days after Howe's enlistment. The letter describes military training and reserve duty guarding prisoners.

Howe tells Jeanette that he is sending her his 29 dollar bounty. He also describes rampant theft amongst soldiers in Camp Curtin.

Faded letter. Howe writes to Jeanette about the situation at home and asks her to send him things. He notes that he is at Louisville, working for the assistant inspector general and mentions that he would earn more money if he was promoted to corporal.

Howe describes to Jeanette his travels across Ohio, Indiana and Kentucky to reach Louisville and his promotion to corporal. He notes optimism among the troops that the war will end soon after news of the Union victory in Antietam.

Howe notes that he is camped outside Louisville, and is not sure when he will join his regiment. He claims that he likes camp life and mentions Union Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis's shooting of Union Brig. Gen. William Nelson in Louisville a few days earlier.

Howe is relieved to receive Jeanette's letter after not hearing from her for weeks. He dismisses her desire for him to leave the army by noting that he is fighting for his country and that he has two brothers in the service. Howe also notes that his unit is being equipped with weapons but is not sure when he will have pay to send home.

The sheet contains a letter by Howe's brother James to "Dear Sister." Howe says that he arrived at Camp Scott a day earlier, and that he has sent money home for Jeanette. He mentions why he has not heard from her since his last letter, and that he has met his two brothers. James Howe writes to Jeanette on the same sheet, describing camp life and the local military situation.

Partial letter, probably describing a cavalry action at Franklin, Tennessee, 12 December 1862, in which Howe took part.

Howe mentions that he is in camp while the rest of his company has gone out on picket. He asks Jeanette to send him a photograph of herself, talks about his brothers in the army, people at home and asks her to confirm her receipt of the money he sent her. Mentions a needle book (see folder 96): "I am sory if that that leter with the needle book in it is lost for it would be so handy for me besides it would loock so natural to see some of your fixings . . . ."

Howe describes his participation in the battle of Stones River (Murfreesboro), 31 December 1862-2 January 1863.

Howe commenced this letter on 12 January when he was in Nashville and notes that he finished it on 23 January, in Murfreesboro. He assures his wife that he is well after the heavy fighting of the previous month, and elaborates on the horrors of war.

Howe gives an optimistic assessment of the war, predicting quick victory. He dispels rumors that his regiment was "most all killed" at Stones River, and describes the destruction to the southern countryside.

Howe describes taking part in actions at Unionville and Rover, Tennessee on 31 January and 13 February, 1863.

Howe describes an action at Bradyville. He also speaks of his brothers and other soldiers in his company.

Howe writes about the war in Tennessee, people at home, soldiers in his company and the newly passed conscription act.

Howe writes optimistically about the war. He is supportive of conscription, describes his regiment's victories in skirmishes, and mentions a grand review of the cavalry of the Army of the Cumberland.

Howe writes about people at home and expresses relief at having paid off his debts.

Howe writes from Alabama following Bragg's retreat from Chattanooga.

Howe mentions that he and his brothers are well and that he will write at greater length when he has time.

Howe summarizes his movements since leaving Murfreesboro in June, mentioning many cavalry actions as well as the battle of Chickamauga. He responds to his wife's questions about mustering out, pay, and other matters.