This letter was only signed “Howard” and since he wrote to a young woman in Ingham county, Michigan, I concluded he was from there. However, I could not find any Michigan regiments in the Army of the Southwest at the Battle of Elkhorn Tavern (March 1862) or in the months following. I learned that it was the 24th Missouri Infantry that served as the provost guard for Gen. Samuel R. Curtis and so I concluded Howard must have been a member of that regiment.

Remarkably, the roster of the 24th Missouri Infantry had only one “Howard” among its members, and it was Howard J. Tyler (1846-1864) of Co. H, the youngest son of Isaac Tyler (1800-1872) and Rebecca Rising (1805-1888) of Leslie, Ingham county, Michigan. And who was Howard writing to? He addressed the letter to Almira Longyear (1847-1863), the 15 year-old daughter of Henry William Longyear (1818-1849) and Elizabeth Whitney (1822-1891) of Leslie, Ingham county, Michigan. She died on 3 February 1863; the circumstances of her death are unknown. Almira’s older brother, William D. Longyear (1841-1925) was a drummer boy in Co. C of the 8th Michigan Infantry.

So why would Howard choose to serve in a regiment from Missouri instead of Michigan? It turns out that the Captain of Co. H, 24th Missouri, was Isaac B. Tyler of Cuba, Crawford county, Missouri—probably an uncle. Howard’s death was recorded as 25 May 1864 but I have not learned the cause of death.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Vera Cruz [Missouri] ¹
April 24, 1862

Dear Friend,

I received your note of the 13th inst. enclosed with one from [your brother] William yesterday and was glad to hear from you. I began to think that you had forgotten that there was a poor forsaken fellow by the name of Howard but I see that you have not. I am as well as usual and hope you are the same.

We are camped on a nice creek that is full of good fish and it is quite a treat to have a good mess of fresh fish.

Our regiment is still acting provost guard and are still with the army. We camp with Gen. [Samuel R.] Curtis every night and I see him every night. I have not see Gen. [Franz] Sigel in some time.

I suppose you are having good times now eating warm sugar. I hope that next year I will be out there to eat warm sugar too. Albert is still at home is he? Tell him that I have not forgotten him. Tell your Mother that I am much obliged to her for her wishes for my welfare and I wish her good health &c.

No more at present. Write as soon as you get this and have the other young folks write too. I remain your humble servant, — Howard

[to] Almira Longyear, Leslie, [Ingham county,] Michigan

¹ Vera Cruz was a town located just north of the Arkansas border in Douglas county, Missouri. It was originally called Red Bud but was rename in 1859. It served as the 1st county seat of Douglas county and served as the headquarters of the local Union Home Guard.