George W. Howland, boatman and engineer, was a native of Athens, Greene County, New York. During the Civil War, he was captain of the U.S.S. Emily, a mail and transport steamer in General Burnsides department at Roanoke Island, North Carolina. The vessel was seized by Confederate forces in the Caratuck Canal, N.C. on May 13, 1863. The crew was taken captive and subsequently confined for almost two years, first at Libby Prison, then later at Thunder Castle Prison in Richmond, Virginia. He was paroled, March 13, 1865 at Aikin's Landing, Virginia.
From the description of Papers, 1863-1908 bulk, 1863-1865. (New York State Library). WorldCat record id: 720640469