Button used by Acting Master William L. Howorth, U.S.N., to smuggle a letter out of the infamous Libby Prison with accompanying letter. Group includes:

1. U.S. Navy 2-piece button. Waterbury, [Connecticut]: Scoville Mf'g Co. Maker's mark and original shaft to reverse. Albert NA 112.

2. Letter signed by William L. Howorth. U.S.Str. Conemaugh, May 1865. 1 page.

The letter reads in full: "This button was on my coat at the destruction of the ‘Albermarle’ and remained on my coat until cut off this day while at Danville Rebel Military Prison on my departure from there the 11th of last Dec. at the earnest request of a Union officer (a fellow prisoner). I concealed a letter in the button and was searched several different times, three times at Libby Prison by the notorious Dick Turner of Libby Prison fame, and the last ton the day of my parole and departure from the Union lines 22nd of Feb./65. The letter I immediately delivered and have since rec'd a very kind letter from the one I took it from. He having also been lately exchanged."

William L. Howorth was appointed Acting Master’s Mate in late April 1863 and was attached to the U.S. ship Monticello then blockading the coast of North Carolina. Howorth accompanied Lt. William B. Cushing on a reconnaissance up the Cape Fear River to Wilmington on June 23 and 24, 1864, gaining information about the Confederate defenses in the area. That October, Howorth again joined Cushing on another expedition up the Roanoke River to sink the confederate ram Albermarle. The mission was a success, although both the ram and the vessel carrying the Federal sailors were destroyed, leaving Howroth and others captured while Lt. Cushing and another man escaped. In his official report Cushing, mentioned Howorth: "Acting Master’s Mate William L. Howorth, of the Monticello, showed, as usual, conspicuous bravery. He is the same officer who has been with me twice in Wilmington harbor. I trust he may be promoted, when exchanged...”

Howorth was indeed exchanged in February 1865 and subsequently promoted to Acting Master. He was honorably discharged in October of that year. Howorth later reentered the U.S. Navy in 1866 and was appointed Ensign in March 1868. Howorth served until resigning his commission on April 4th, 1869. The World War 2 Fletcher-class destroyer U.S.S. Howorth (DD-592) was named in honor of William L. Howorth.

[Civil War, Union, Confederate, Buttons, Relics, Manuscripts, Letters, Documents, Ephemera]