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Rh and he was assistant professor of mathematics, West Point, from 1857 to 1861.

He entered the volunteer service June 4, 1861, as colonel of the 3d Maine volunteers, and was promoted brigadier-general of volunteers September 3, 1861. During the winter of 1861-62 he commanded a brigade (composed of the 81st Pennsylvania, 45th, 61st and 64th New York, 5th New Hampshire and 4th Rhode Island) in camp, preparing his brigade on the front line in Virginia. An independent expedition to the Rappahannock and a reconnaissance for General Sumner brought him much recognition. With the same brigade he was in the battles of Yorktown, Williamsburg and Fair Oaks. He was twice wounded in the right arm in the latter battle; receiving for leading a charge in this engagement the congressional medal of honor. After the amputation of his arm, he employed the time of his convalescence in raising volunteers, filling the quota of his state—Maine. In the second battle of Bull Run, he successfully commanded the rear guard in the retreat. At Antietam, when Sedgwick, his division commander was wounded, Howard was placed in command of the division and commanded it in the battle of Fredericksburg. He was promoted major-general of volunteers, November 29, 1862. President Lincoln assigned him to the command of the 11th army corps in April 1863. In the battle of Chancellorsville this corps met with a repulse from Stonewall Jackson. At Gettysburg, with the same corps, he was highly commended by General Meade and by congress, particularly for his ability in selecting the famous field of battle—Cemetery Hill. He maintained himself there with his reserve troops of the right wing checking a superior force all day, from the time of General Reynold's death till night-fall, and afterward commanding his corps until the triumphant close of the battle. After he was transferred with his corps to reenforce Chattanooga, Tennessee, General Thomas commended him for his action in the battle of Wauhatchie, October 28, 1863. He was engaged in the battle of Missionary Ridge, December 24-25, 1863. Sherman first showed appreciation of him by asking to have Howard's corps move with his own to the relief of Knoxville.

In the fall of 1864, taking command of the 4th army corps, Army of the Cumberland, he participated in the following battles: Dalton, Resaca, Adairsville, Kingston and Cassville, New Hope Church, Pickett's Mill, Muddy Creek, Kenesaw Mountain, Smyrna Camp