Person:Jacob Miller (95)

Civil War - 1st Sergeant, 90th Ohio Volunteer Infantry, B Company

Company Descriptive Book of the organization:
DESCRIPTION: Age 28 years; height 5 feet 7.5 inches, Complexion Light, Eyes Blue; Hair Auburn;
WHERE BORN: Lawrence Co., PA;
OCCUPATION: Teacher;
ENLISTMENT: When Aug. 9, 1862; Where Wilkesville; By whom J. G. Gibson; Term 3 years
REMARKS: Made Prisoner of War Sept. 20 1863 at Chicamauga, Georgia

Newspaper article - date unknown - 1913: Mr. Jacob Miller of Gallipolis, who recently was bereft of his wife and his home broken up, came Tuesday for a week's visit with his brother, Squire C. C. Miller. After which he will visit his brother I.W. at Wilkesville, for a week, and then to New York City where he will remain during the summer months at the home of his oldest son. He will spend the winter with a brother in Florida and another son in Texas. Mr. Miller is looking quite well and enjoying his visit among old neighbors and friends.

Obituary

In Memory of Jacob Miller (Republican Tribune, Aug 21, 1918)

A large number of people in both Vinton and Gallia counties will be sorry to learn of the death of Jacob Miller, of Wilkesville, which occurred at the home of his son, Thomas Miller, in New York City, on July 3rd. Mr. Miller had been in poor health for some time and it will be remembered that this son came to Wilkesville several months ago and took his father to his home.

Mr. Miller was a Civil War veteran and everyone found it very interesting, indeed, to hear him relate his experiences in Libby prison, where he cam so near losing his life from starvation, a pan of beans spilled while on its way to an officer, being between him and death, and he got down in the dirt and ate them.

This venerable gentleman was highly respected and greatly loved by all who knew him, and especiallyl so by the older residents of Wilkesville, his home village, where he was at one time a partner in the mill there at the time it burned, about 35 years ago. In later years he clerked in the Cline and Miller store. - Vinton Leader

Obituary (The Brooklyn Daily Eagle, Thu., July 11, 1918):

MILLER - JACOB G., aged 84 years, father of Warren G. and Thomas S. Miller. Funeral services at his late residence, at Brightwaters, Thursday evening, July 11, 1918, at 8 o'clock.

Account of Captivity in Confederate Prisons

EXPERIENCE OF 90TH BOYS IN SOUTHERN PRISONS

By J. G. Miller (Jacob Guy Miller)
As published in the History of the 90th Ohio Volunteer Infantry
Written February 5, 1902

We were captured at the battle of Chickamauga, Ga., September 20th, 1863, and were sent to Richmond, Va. When we got to Atlanta, Ga., we were marched from the railroad through the streets of the city to the stockade and kept there over night. As we were being marched through the streets, we were treated with contempt and insult by some of the citizens. In retaliation, we commenced singing: "Old John Brown," with the chorus: "and we will hang Jeff. Davis on a sour apple tree, as we go marching along." This enraged the Rebs so, that they threatened to shoot us, if we did not stop our singing. So we were compelled to be silent.

As we passed into the stockade we were relieved of our blankets, canteens and such other articles as the Confederate officers saw fit to take. We were taken out of the stockade the next day and sent on to Richmond, Va. We arrived at Richmond about the 1st of October, and were put in Libby prison, where we remained until the latter part of November, when we were sent to Danville, Va., where we were kept in tobacco warehouses.

While we were in Richmond, we learned that there was a quantity of flour, sugar and salt stored in the basement story of the building we occupied, and as our rations were short, we concluded to get some of these articles. We cut a hole through the floor, and helped ourselves to the sugar and salt. The flour we could not use. There was a notice of this in the Richmond papers, and they stated that we had taken between 7,000 and 8,000 pounds of sugar before the "Yankees" were detected. For our surprise we were not punished for this "sweetness."

We remained at Danville, Ga, until about the middle of May, 1864, and were then sent to Andersonville, Ga. During the winter at Danville, we had no fire in the building to keep us comfortable, and we suffered very much from the effects of the cold. Our blankets had been taken from us, and the bare floor was our bed.

During the month of December, our government sent us blankets and clothing, which we received the latter part of the month, and this added greatly to our comfort.

During the month of February, 1864, the small-pox broke out amongst us, and quite a number of our boys were carried off by this loathsome disease. During this month, some of us decided to try to make our escape by tunneling out. We got into a small cellar on the east side of the building in which we were confined, and sunk a hole down about three feet, and then started our tunnel, using a butcher-knife and a bayonet with which to dig, and a half of a canteen for a shovel. We had a small box to use in taking the dirt out of the tunnel and depositing it in the cellar. We had been working about six weeks on our tunnel, and had it almost completed, when, by some means we were detected in our work, and our plans were thwarted, and then we were more closely guarded than we had been heretofore.

We arrived at Andersonville, Ga., about the 20th of May, and found, to our sorrow, that we had come from "bad to worse." The prison was an open stockade, without any shelter, or provision made for our comfort. Language fails us, to properly describe the wretchedness and suffering of that horrible prison pen. Starvation, suffering and death were the ruling features of Andersonville prison.

We had some hard characters among us who went to robbing their fellow prisoners of whatever valuables they might possess. A vigilance committee was organized, and a number of arrests were made, and those arrested were tried by a jury of 12 of our own men. Six of the men who had been arrested were found guilty of grave offenses, and were sentenced to ball and chain. The rebel authorities refused to keep them separate from the rest of the prisoners, and gave the committee their choice, to either execute them, or to have them turned loose amongst us. The committee decided to execute them, and on the 11th day of July, 1864, they were hanged inside of the stockade. When the drop fell, one of the ropes broke, and the man fell to the ground, but he was immediately taken back upon the scaffold, the rope readjusted and he was swung off. This man had assumed the name of "Mosby," and was a hard character. After this execution, robbing was seldom heard of among the prisoners. It was about this time in July that the famous "Providence Spring" broke out in the prison pen, and it was certainly a God send to us, and added greatly to our comfort. On the 3rd of July, three of us organized a prayer meeting in the stockade. Sergt. James M. McCollern, of Newcomerstown, Tuscarawas Co., O.; Corp. W. C. Rose, of Granville, O., and the writer of this, were the three who organized this meeting, and it was kept up daily as long as we remained there. And many hearts were comforted by these devotional services. There were about 35,000 of us confined in Andersonville prison at one time.

During the month of August the death rate was fearful, and among the number that died were two of the boys of Co. B, of the 90th O.V.I., namely Mark Tinley and Joseph Wyatt. Both died from the effects of scurvy.

About the 1st of September they commenced sending the prisoners away from Andersonville, and on the 9th of September, 1864, we were taken out of Andersonville and sent to Charleston, S.C., and at this place we received better treatment than any place we had been. We remained here but a few days, and were then taken to Florence, S.C., and imprisoned in a stockade there. This was a small prison, only about 10,000 of us there, but our treatment was the worst that we had met with any place we had been. It was an open stockade, and our rations were issued to us in a raw state, and they failed to furnish us with any cooking utensils with which to cook and what little they gave us to eat. They gave us only one cord of wood to every 1,000 men per day, with which to do our cooking, and it is needless to say that it was necessary for us to use the wood very economically. We had to get our wood, and carry it to the prison gate. When the men were taken out to get wood, they were required to make oath that they would not attempt to escape while they were out. As it was a relief to get outside the stockade, we went out to get wood, and were put in charge of 100 wood carriers. There were five wood squads, but some of them contained considerably less than 100 men. One day two of our men decided to leave, and as we did not report that they had left, the Rebel authorities took those in charge of the different wood squads, and put them in the dungeon, where we were kept two days and two nights. The dungeon was wet and cold, and we suffered very much while we were there. When we were taken out of the dungeon, we were turned back into the stockade. After this exposure, the writer's health began to decline, and finally we became helpless, and for some six or seven days were unconscious most of the time. Finally we rallied, and before we were able to walk alone we were brought to our lines at Wilmington, S.C., at which place we arrived on the 2nd day of March, 1865, and on the 10th of March we arrived at Annapolis, Md., and were taken into the hospital on the Naval Academy grounds, a mere skeleton, with but three articles of clothing - a blouse, pants and shoes.

We gradually recovered, and are still among the living at this date, February 5, 1902.

After we returned home, we learned that the captain of our company had ordered our name to be entered on the company roll with the remark-"reduced to ranks," and gave us a reason for doing so, that he did not consider it fair for another man to perform the duty of a 1st Sergeant, and the man in prison receive the pay. We reported the matter to the authorities at Washington, D.C. An investigation was made, and the result was, that we received pay as 1st Sergeant for the entire time, and now hold a certificate with the statement, that "this man's rank is 1st Sergeant."

J. G. Miller
Co. B, 90th O.V.I.

Timeline of Service in the Civil War

Jacob G. Miller's Civil War Muster Rolls - Timeline - 90th OVI, Company B, 1st Sergeant
(Records held at the National Archives, copy shared by Jacob's great grandson.)

Company Descriptive Book of the organization:
DESCRIPTION: Age 28 years; height 5 feet 7.5 inches, Complexion Light, Eyes Blue; Hair Auburn;
WHERE BORN: Lawrence Co., PA;
OCCUPATION: Teacher;
ENLISTMENT: When Aug. 9, 1862; Where Wilkesville; By whom J. G. Gibson; Term 3 years
REMARKS: Made Prisoner of War Sept. 20 1863 at Chicamauga, Georgia

1862 - 27 Aug - Company Muster-in Roll - Camp Circleville, O - Muster-in to date Aug 27, 1862
    Joined for duty and enrolled Aug 9, 1862 at Wilkesville for a Period of 3 years
    Remarks: Enlisted as Pvt Aug 9, Apptd Sgt Aug 26

1862 - 27 Aug to 31 Oct - Present - Sgt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry

1862 - Nov & Dec - Present - Sgt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry

1863 - Jan & Feb - Present - Sgt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry

1863 - Mar & Apr - Present - Sgt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry

1863 - April 10 - Special Muster Roll - Present - Sgt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry

1863 - Feb 28 to June 30 - Present - Sergt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry

1863 - July & Aug - Present - Sgt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry

1863 - Sept & Oct - Absent - 1st Sgt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    Missing in action Chickamauga Ga Sept 20 1863

1863 - Nov & Dec - Absent - 1st Sergt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    Taken prisoner Chickamauga Ga. Sept 20, 1863 - at Richmond Va.

1864 - Mar & Apr - Absent - Privt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    Taken prisoner Chickamauga Ga. Sept 20 1863 - at Richmond Va.

1864 - May & June - Absent - Privt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    Prisoner at Richmond Va. He has received no premium or bounty. Amount $27.00

1864 - July & Aug - Absent - Pvt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    Taken prisoner at Chickamauga Sept 20, 63. At Richmond Va. He has received no premium or bounty. Amount $27

1864 - Sept & Oct - Absent - Pvt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    Captured at Chickamauga Ga. Sept 20th - Now at Richmond Va.

1864 - Nov & Dec - Absent - Pvt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    Prisoner at Richmond Va.

1865 - Jan & Feb - Absent - Pvt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    Prisoner at Richmond Va.

1865 - March & April - Hospital Muster Roll of Division No. 1 U.S.A. General Hospital at Annapolis, Md.
    Attached to hospital When: March 10, 1865
    Remarks: Transferred to Baltimore Md March 16, 1865

1865 - March & Apr - Absent - Pvt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    Remarks: Home on leave after being exchanged

Jacob G. Miller, Segt / Pvt, Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry, Appears on Returns as follows:
    Sept 1863 - Loss Sept 20, 63 - Chickamauga - Missing in action
    Dec 1863 & Jan 1864 (Pvt.) - Absent, prisoner Chickamauga, Ga., Sept 20, 63
    March 1864 - Absent, taken prisoner Sept 20, 63 - at Richmond Va.
    Apr 1864 to Apr 1865 - Absent - prisoner of war Chickamauga, Ga. Sept 20, 63
    May 1865 - Absent - on furlough May 4, 65

1865 - June 13 - Co. Muster-out Roll - Pvt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry Age 31 Years
    Camp Harken Tenn. June 13, 1865
    Last paid to Unknown
    Clothing account: Last settled Sept 9, 1862 - Amt for cloth'g in kind or money adv'd $93.26
    Bounty paid $25; due $75
    Remarks: Was private from enrollment. Promoted Sgt Aug 27, 62. Promoted 1st Sergt July 1, 63. Reduced to Pvt Jan 1, 64. Made    prisoner of War at Chickamauga Sept 20, 63. (on reverse side: at Chickamauga No muster out Roll furnished.)

1865 - June 19 - Detachment Muster-out Roll - Pvt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    Camp Chase, O. June 19, 1865
    Muster-out to date June 19, 1865
    Last paid to June 30, 1865
    Amount for clothing in kind or money adv'd $56.33
    Bounty paid $25; due $75
    Remarks: In battle of Stone River. Take prisoner at Chickamauga Sept 19, 1864. Full descriptive list. - Entire entry cancelled by line drawn through.

1865 - July 25 - Individual Muster-out Roll - Pvt Co. B, 90 Reg't Ohio Infantry
    York, Penn. - July 25, 1865
    Muster-out to date: July 25, 1865
    Remarks: Partial desc. list from office of Adjt. Gen'l., taken from rolls of Co. for months of Mar. & Apr., 1865, does not state by whom or to what time last paid, with remarks, "Home on leave after being exchanged. Partial desc. list from Adjt. Gen'l. State of Ohio, states he was promorted to Sergt. Aug 27, 62; promoted to 1st Sergt. July 1, 63; reduced to ranks July 1, 64; made prisoner of war at Chickamauga Sept 20, 63. He was admitted into this hospital May 19, 65. No change in payor clothing acct. while here. Man states he rec'd two (2) months pay at Annapolis, Md.; three (3) months extra pay allowed by telegraphic order dated War Dept. A.G.O. May 30, 65, he having never been returned to duty with his command since prisoner of war. M/out while in the U.S.A. Genl. Hospt., Hork, Penn., in compliance with directions from War Dept. dated May 3, 65.

Jacob G. Miller - Memorandum from Prisoner of War Records - Jacob G. Miller - Sgt Co. B, 90 Reg't OVI
    Captured at Chickamauga, Ga. Sep 20, 1863, confined at Richmond, Va., Sep 29, 1863
    1863 - Dec 12 - Sent to Danville, Va.
    Confined at Andersonville, Ga. - money taken $1 - no Hosp. record
    1865 - Feb 28 - Wilmington, N.C.
    1865 - March 10 - Admitted to Hospital Div Hosp. Annapolis, Md. - cause not given
    1865 - March 16 - Transferred to Balt., Md., reported at Newton U.S. Gen. Hospt., Balt., Md.
    1865 - March 22 - Furloughed
    No. S. C. on file - no fur. inf.
    Enrolled as Jacob G. Miller Co "B" 90 Ohio Vol. - J.G. or J.L. Miller not borne [?]
    Recd. Afdt. April 20, 88. Ret'd. (Thru Pen. Rec. Div.) May 4, 88
    Pen. Affdt. 495159. To Gramlich Sep 14, 87. Pens. to Pen. Off. May 27, 81.
    Pen. lease Afft. 117641 returned [unreadable]
    Pen. lease 218856 to Gramlich April 7, 86.
    Adjutant General's Office, May 2, 1887: This is accepted as referring to Jacob G. Miler,
    Co. B, 90 Reg't, Ohio Vols and records will be corrected accordingly. Signed by
    Assistant Adjutant Gen'l [signature unreadable]

Miller-Jacob Guy - Certificate of Death

Miller Brothers-left to right-Cyrus C., Isaac W. and Jacob G.

1. ↑ Find A Grave.

   Jacob Guy Miller

2. ↑ ^2.0 2.1 Suffolk, in Islip, Suffolk, New York, United States. New York, United States, Certificate of Death
   No. 45416.

   Suffolk County, Islip, Brightwaters
   Jacob G. Miller, Male, White, Married [actually should say Widowed]
   Date of Death: July 10, 1918
   Date of Birth: May 20, 1834
   Age: 84 yrs 1 mos 20 ds
   Occupation: Merchant
   Birthplace: Pennsylvania
   Father: Thomas Miller, Birthplace of Father: Penn.
   Mother: Elizabeth Smith, Birthplace of Mother: Penn.
   Informant: Mr. Miller (Son), Address: Brightwaters
   Cause of Death: Exhaustion and Senility
   Physician: George King, M.D., Bayshore
   Place of Burial: Pinelawn Cemetery
   Date of Burial: July 12, 1918
   Undertaker: George B. White, Bayshore