Joseph Miller Letter
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.
Dates
- 1864
Creator
- Miller, Joseph (Person)
Language of Materials
The materials in the collection are in English.
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open for research.
Conditions Governing Reproduction and Use
The copyright status of this collection is unknown. Copyright restrictions may apply. Contact Special Collections and University Archives for assistance in determining the use of these materials.
Reproduction or digitization of materials for personal or research use can be requested using our reproduction/digitization form: http://bit.ly/scuareproduction. Reproduction or digitization of materials for publication or exhibit use can be requested using our publication/exhibition form: http://bit.ly/scuapublication. Please contact Special Collections and University Archives (specref@vt.edu or 540-231-6308) if you need assistance with forms or to submit a completed form.
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.
Extent
0.1 Cubic Feet (1 folder)
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.
Source of Acquisition
The Joseph Miller Letter was purchased by Special Collections and University Archives in 1989.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
The guide to the Joseph Miller Letter by Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech, is licensed under a CC0 (https://creativecommons.org/share-your-work/public-domain/cc0/).
Processing Information
The processing and description of the Joseph Miller Letter commenced and was completed in February 2022.
- Title
- Joseph Miller Letter, 1864
- Status
- Completed
- Author
- John M. Jackson
- Date
- 2022 (CC0 1.0)
- Description rules
- Describing Archives: A Content Standard
- Language of description
- English
- Script of description
- Latin
Revision Statements
- 2020-09-02: Finding aid notes updated to new department standards. juliags
- 2021-05-18: LM Rozema added missing notes for an unprocessed collection (abstract, source, processing, bio note), added FA title, added FA date from EAD, and added component with instances previously attached to collection level.
Repository Details
Part of the Special Collections and University Archives, Virginia Tech Repository
Special Collections and University Archives, University Libraries (0434)
560 Drillfield Drive
Newman Library, Virginia Tech
Blacksburg Virginia 24061 US
540-231-6308
specref@vt.edu