Julius Franklin Howell, (1846 to 1948), my great great uncle, was born in Nansemond County, Virginia.   Julius was born January 17, 1846, the son of Rev. Edward Howell and his wife Americus Howell.

Julius grew up on a plantion the youngest of 16 children. He attended schols at home and then later was a student at Reynoldson Institute in Gates County, North Carolina.    His school closed with the declartion of war in 1861.

When he became 16 he enlisted in the Confederate army as a Private in Co. "K", 24th Virginia Cavalry.    He served with this unit until his capture in 1865 at the battle of Salior Creek in Amelia County, Virginia.    He was a Corporal and a courier for Generals Pryor and Braxton.

He saw action in around the Black Water River boundary until his regiment was called to help defend the Capital City of Richmond in 1864.   Upon the evacuation of Richmond his unit moved west under the command of General Ewell to its capture at Salior Creek in April of 1865.   He then was taken as a prisoner to Point Lookout prison in south eastern Maryland where he was held for three (3) months.

Upon taking the "Oath of Allegiance on June 13, 1865 he was released and transported to Fort Monroe, Virginia by steamer and then he made his way home to Nansemond County.   After he regained his health from inprisonment, he became a school teacher with his brother at his school, Reynoldson Institute.   After a short period of teaching he sold his share of the school to his brother and went North to enroll as a student at the University of Pennsylvania and graduated with a degree in history.   He then enrolled at Harvard and obtained a PHD in history.

He was hired as a professor of history at the University of Arkansas.   He remained there for some years and became the head of the history department.   He was then called to be the president of a Baptist College, the Virginia Intermont College at Bristol, Virginia in 1901.   He served there for 50 years as president and President Ameritus.   After his retirement he opened an insurance business in Bristol and remained active for several more years.

As a Confederate Veteran he joined the United Confederate Veterans of Tennessee and became its State Commander.   He attended many many U.C.V. National Conventions and was elected Commander-in-Chief in 1940 in Washington, D.C.

The city of Bristol honored him by proclaiming his 102 birthday as Julius Franklin howell Day. complete with a parade, banquet and a ball.   His friend, the silent movie actress, Mary Pickford and her family attended the galor celebration as well as President Harry Trumans daughter, Margaret in her fathers behalf.   Also attending were 13 Southern Governors or their representative.   His birthday affair was published in a February 18, 1948 article in LIFE Magazine with a large spread.

When Mr. Howell was elected commander-in-chief of the U.C.V. he was affored the rank and title of General. He wore a uniform of that rank which was made by the United Daughters of the Confederacy of Bristol. In fact they made him four (4) such uniforms which he wore when ever he was in public.

The most outstanding speech he evere gave was to the combined Congress of the United States in Washington on the occasion of PresidentJefferson Davis' birthday on June the 3rd of 1944 at the the grand old age of 98.   He was often a speaker at many events thrugh out the nation and was a grand and vibrant speaker.   He always called for unification of the country and urged for the right of the States to govern themselves.   He always ended his program with, "so many do not understand, why we boys fought in the War between the States.   So many died and so much property lost.   We fought for States Rights, States Rights."

Julius Franklin Howell died on June 19, 1948 at his home at the grand old age of 102.   The Rev. Dr. Allen said at his funeral.   "A fine Christian gentleman. Not once did he bring dishonor to himself, his uniform or his God."