John D. Howell was the son of Thomas Howell, who was the son of James Howell, the Howell pioneer in the Toe River Valley. Naomi, the wife of Robert Boone and mother of Samuel Boone, was the sister of Thomas Howell. John D Howell was married to Sarah Wilson, daughter of the Rev. Thomas Wilson, for whom Rebels Creek Cemetary is named. They had 3 sons; John D Howell, James C Howell, Robert P Howell and one daughter. John D.'s house was located where the old log house where Sonny Smith now lives. David was the father of Gus Howell. John D. was wounded at the Battle of Seven Pines, east of Richmond, in May, 1862 and died in July of his wounds.
Below is a letter written by John Dillard (J.D.) Howell to his brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Garrett and Rosannah Wilson-Gouge.This was taken off the Silver website: Note the footnote 1 at the bottom I believe the first reference is the Toe River valley Heritage Volume One and then the North Carolina Troop Roster Volume 14 John enlisted in Company E. of the North Carolina 6th Regiment on August 16, 1861. He was married to Sarah (Sally) Wilson, sister of Rosannah Wilson-Gouge . John Dillard Howell was wounded at Seven Pines on May 31, 1862 and died from complications of his wound soon after. He is buried in the Oakwood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.[1] John Dillard Howell's letter follows…

Headquarters near Drumfries,
Camp Fisher, Va.
Third Brigade, Army of the Potomac
Dec. 24, 1861

Very Dear Brother and Sister:
I take my pen to acknowledge receipt of your letter which came to hand on the 22nd inst, dated 8th Dec., which found me quite well and enjoying all the comforts incident to camp life.
But I assure you that I am not enjoying all the comforts of a home and peaceful fireside as I once did.
I hope these lines will find you both well. I was truly glad to hear that you was well for I often think of you and all of my friends that I have associated with when peace and tranquility abounded in our land..
But alas that happy day is past and gone to nothing but confusion and the war prevails in our land at this time. Its an awful time in America at present.
I am here in Virginia almost 600 miles from my family, within 30 miles of the city of Washington and on the Potomac River where it is 2.5 to 3 miles wide.
We are stationed here to keep the Yankees from passing up and down the river in their schooners or other vessel or otherwise guard the batteries on the river and keep a close lookout. We keep our pickets two miles from camp day and night.
I will inform you that we have got in our winter cabins. We are snugly situated considering the times. We have got blankets enough to do us pretty well.
Dec. 26: I am well this morning and Christmas is over and such a Christmas I never witnessed before. On the evening of the 24th, the colonel gave the regiment leave to take Christmas and enjoy themselves as well as they were able. They commenced sending off after liquor and nearly all got drunk and fought like dogs and cats. About all our company got drunk and what did not fight wanted to.
But I assure you I was wide-awake, cooly sober and tried to take care of my friends for I did not taste a drop. I never wanted Christmas to end as bad in my life. But I will quit the subject. Garrett and Rosannah, I am glad to hear that you go over and stay with Sarah and the children for I know they are lonesome. May God bless and protect them is my prayer.
I am closing for I can't get time to write only for a night since we have been working on our cabins. Give my respects to all our neighbors. I want to see them all. Do the best for yourselves as you can is my desire.

Your Brother, J.D. Howell
To Garrett Gouge and wife




[1] HTRV Vol 1, NCTR. Vol. XIV.