Joseph Miller Letter, 1864, Ms.1989.076

Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech

Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg, Virginia 24061
Business Number: 540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu
URL: http://spec.lib.vt.edu

John M. Jackson

Abstract

Letter from Joseph Miller of the 78th Ohio Infantry during the American Civil War, written near Kennesaw Mountain, June 23, 1864, to Rev. John Wright of Batesville, Ohio, providing a detailed and extensive description of the corps' march over the Cumberland Mountains, skirmishes with the Rebels, casualties among the officers; and comments on the military strategies of Union General William T. Sherman. Accompanied by transcript.

Administrative Information

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Conditions Governing Access

The collection is open for research.

Preferred Citation

Researchers wishing to cite this collection should include the following information: [identification of item], [box], [folder], Joseph Miller Letter, Ms1989-076, Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Va.

Source of Acquisition

The Joseph Miller Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.

Processing Information

The processing and description of the Joseph Miller Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.

Biographical Note

Joseph Miller was born in Fayette County, Pennsylvania on July 29, 1842. The 1860 federal census lists 18-year-old Pennsylvania native Joseph Miller among the residents in the Noble County, Ohio home of Peter and Nancy Miller. Miller enlisted in Company G, 78th Ohio Infantry on November 28, 1861. He was promoted to corporal on April 21, 1862; to sergeant July 10, 1862; and to 1st sergeant October 13, 1862. On January 12, 1865, he was promoted to 1st lieutenant and transferred to Company F. He was discharged on July 16, 1865. Miller and his wife Martha (1849-1924), whom he married ca. 1868, had one child. By 1900, the Millers were living and farming in Beatrice (Gage County), Nebraska. Joseph Miller died in Beatrice on September 24, 1913, and was buried in Evergreen Home Cemetery, Beatrice.

Scope and Content

This collection consists of a single letter written by Joseph Miller near "Kaunausau Mountains" [i.e., Kennesaw Mountain] on June 23, 1864. Addressed to Rev. John Wright of Batesville, Ohio, the letter provides a detailed description of the regiment's recent movements and activities, from its landing 260 miles above Paducah, Kentucky on May 16, to its crossing of the Cumberland Mountains and its arrival at the front on June 8, and the skirmishing that followed. He notes that several captains in the regiment have been wounded, then comments on the military strategy of General Sherman: "Gen'l Sherman dont appear to be in any hurry about driveing Johnson [i.e., Johnston] away it appears as though he would rather besiege them than loose [a] lot of men by chargeing their works." The letter is accompanied by a stamped envelope addressed to Wright and by a transcript.