Howze was born in Overton, Rusk County, Texas, on August 22, 1864, at a period of the Civil War when the name of the Confederate leader filled the hearts and minds of the Southern people. He was the son of James Augustus and Amanda Hamilton (Brown) Howze.
Education
His parents sent their son through Hubbard College, from which he graduated in 1883. He entered West Point the same year and was commissioned a second lieutenant of cavalry five years later – one year of ill-health extending the usual academic period.
Career
A natural love and understanding of horses carried him soon after his graduation to the 6th Cavalry at Fort Wingate, N. Mex. , and thereafter, until appointment as a general officer many years later, he passed through all grades of the mounted arm, reaching a colonelcy, May 15, 1917.
While still a lieutenant, he participated in the Brulé Sioux Indian campaign of 1890-91 and was awarded a medal of honor for gallantry in repulsing a hostile Indian attack on White River, S. Dak. , January 1, 1891. In the year 1894 he was in Chicago with his regiment in connection with railroad labor strikes, and at the outbreak of the Spanish War in 1898, he accompanied the 6th Cavalry to Cuba and took part in the battle of Santiago, where gallant conduct won for him a silver star citation in orders. In the following year he was appointed lieutenant-colonel, 34th Volunteer Infantry, and again was awarded a silver star citation for gallantry in action against the Philippine insurgent General Tinio, in Northern Luzon.
His energetic pursuit of the enemy through dangerous and difficult country led to the liberation of a large number of Spanish and American prisoners, among the latter being Lieutenant-Commander Gilmore of the United States navy. In recognition of this exploit, Howze was appointed a brigadier-general of volunteers. During the years from 1901 to 1904 Howze served as major in the Porto Rican regiment; was commandant of cadets at the United States Military Academy, 1905-09; commanded the Porto Rican regiment until 1912; and participated with marked credit in the Pershing expedition into Mexico in the year 1916.
With the entry of the United States into the World War, he was appointed a brigadier-general, national army, and assigned to command the cavalry brigade and division at Fort Bliss, Tex. , charged with protection of the Mexican border. Some months later, as a major-general, he led the 38th Division overseas, participating in the Meuse-Argonne offensive, October 21-29, 1918. After the Armistice, he commanded the 3rd Division on its march to the Rhine and as part of the Army of Occupation in Germany, until he brought the division home in August 1919. He was then assigned to command the military district of El Paso. On July 3, 1920, he was appointed a permanent brigadier-general, and organized and trained the 16t Cavalry Division to a state of high efficiency. Promoted major-general, December 30, 1922, he remained on duty in the El Paso district until 1925, during a period of considerable unrest which required unusual tact and discriminating judgment. He was then transferred to command the V Corps Area at Columbus, Ohio, where he passed away as the result of a surgical operation in his sixty-second year.
Achievements
Membership
He was made a member of the French Legion of Honor.
Connections
Howze was married, February 24, 1897, to Anne Chiffelle Hawkins, the daughter of Gen. Hamilton S. Hawkins, a distinguished officer of both the Civil and Spanish-American wars.