Perry Heritage Collection
A Civil War Diary
In the summer of 1864 John W. Howell of Millerstown,
Pennsylvania was a carriage maker.
Two weeks later he was in a Union camp with the Pennsylvania
208th Infantry on the James River in Virginia.
This is his personal account of events and battles happening around
him. He mustered into
the Army as a Musician.
During battles musicians were assigned to the company surgeon and
served as litter bearers and administered basic first aid to the
soldiers.
Muc. Howell served the Army of the Potomac from September of 1864
until General Lee surrendered and the 208th mustered out
on June 1, 1865.
