Winchester Journal
Thursday, July 22, 1915
Winchester, Indiana
ISAAC MILLER KILLED BY TRAIN
Big Four Passenger Runs Down Aged Man Sunday
West of City-Horribly Mangled
Isaac Miller, aged seventy-six, a confederate soldier and well known Randolph county resident, was struck and instantly killed by the west bound Big Four passenger train No. 419 at 1:40 o'clock Sunday afternoon, at a crossing three miles west of the city. His body was mangled beyond recognition. It was taken to the Frank and Pursley undertaking parlors and prepared for burial. The train was running at an estimated rate of fifty miles an hour when it struck Miller. It ran a distance of three hundred yards before being brought to a stop and Miller's mangled body was dragged an estimated distance of two hundred yards. The train was delayed twenty minutes. Miller left home a quarter of a mile away from where the accident occurred shortly after eating his noon day meal. It is said he was in a despondent mood during the morning hours, although it is understood that he made no threats on his life. In leaving his home he followed a short path through the fields to the railroad tracks. he was accompanied by the family dog- a pet, which had remained at his side for years. Upon reaching the railroad tracks, Miller sat down on the rails. He was seated on the south rail and was facing the south, when the train approached. The dog was at his side and he was petting it. A warning, it is said, was sounded by the train and just before the engine reached him, Miller turned his face and looked towards it. Miller then fell back across the tracks. Miller's body was severed at his hips and was horribly mangled. The dog was also killed. Its feet were found lying beside a portion of the man's body. He is survived by a widow, Margaret Miller, five sons, three daughters. The funeral services were held Tuesday morning at the Maxville church with interment at Woodlawn cemetery nearby.
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Isaac Miller, lacking 4 days of being 76 years of age, was killed by the fast West bound Big Four passenger train West of the city Sunday afternoon. Coroner Evans was called and has returned a verdict of accidental death. The engineer of the train testified that when he saw Miller sitting on the South rail with his feet on the outside, he whistled; Miller looked up at the fast approaching train and laid or fell over into the space between the rails. The engineer believes it was suicide, but the Coroner concluded that possibly, Mr. Miller attempted to raise but failed in the effort. The body was frightfully mangled as was the body of his pet dog which was with him at the time of the tragedy. The mangled remains were brought to the undertaking parlor of Frank & Pursley in their ambulance and dressed. Funeral services were held yesterday by Rev. Harvey Thornburg and interment at Maxville. A widow, five sons and three daughters survive. The deceased came several years ago from Virginia where he served in the Confederate army and settled a short distance North of the Big Four on the road known as the Goodrich pike where he has continuously made his home an it was near this home that he met death.
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Obituary
Isaac T. Miller
Isaac T. Miller was born July 22, 1839 in Pendleton county, West Virginia; moved to this county thirty one years ago; departed this life July 18, 1915, aged 75 years 11 months and 26 days. He was married to Amelia Cowger 27th of July 1862; to this union was born one son, Johnson Miller. The mother departed this life June 24, (13) 1863. He was married to Fidella Roadcap January 29, 1865; to this union were born five sons three daughters. Charles E. having departed this life November 23, 1893; the children who survive him are William H. , Stephen P., Martha S., James H., Rebecca L., Mary E., Robert L.
Father Miller was a kind husband and was always ready to lend a helping hand in sickness. He has said he was ready to die when the Lord called him. Text: John the 14th 1 to 15.
Funeral services were held at Maxville Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, July 27, 1915 conducted by Rev. N.H. Thornburg, assisted by Rev. Abraham Rust. Interment at that place.
The connection return their sincere thanks to those who responded so nobly---neighbors and friends in the loss of our dear father.
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Isaac T. Miller was born and raised just east of Upper Tract on Kline road, now known as Schmucker road. He was of predominantly German ancestry. The original Millers to the area owned land on the east side of a branch of the Potomac river on the south side of Schmucker road. The Millers are first recorded purchasing property in this area as early as the 1790s when the German immigrant John Miller Sr. great grandfather of Isaac, bought land at the headwaters of Mill Run where it's connects to the South branch of the Potomac. Isaac was baptized in the Mallow German Reformed Church, Kline, Pendleton Co. August 30, 1839. Family lore claims that Isaac's mother Susannah (Hedrick) Miller was part Native American. No evidence has ever been found to prove this information.
With the onset of the war in 1861, Pendleton county became a divided county. The union army that occupied the Pendleton region were known for their harsh treatment of the residents of the county, raiding farms for food, fresh horses or whatever was needed. Anyone who did not comply would be considered to be supporting the Southern cause and on occasion have the their homes burned and the men taken out and shot. There was no escape, and no neutral ground, resident had to declare their allegiance to either the North or the South. Isaac, and his two brothers, Amos and Job Miller, declared their allegiance to their home state of Virginia in November 1861 when they enlisted in the 46th Virginia Militia. Isaac was a 2nd Corporal and his two brother Privates in Company C. That same month, the 46th was ordered by General Stonewall Jackson to Winchester, Virginia, to assist Jackson's Winter Campaign at Romney. Shortly after this, the 46th disbanded in April, 1862. On June 1 1862, Isaac enlisted in the 1st Virginia Regiment Partisan Rangers Company F. Isaac was a Private in this regiment, which in December 1862, under General John D. Imboden, would become the 18th Virginia Cavalry Company A. Most of its members had served in the 1st Regiment Virginia Partisan Rangers (subsequently the 62nd Regiment Virginia Infantry).
Isaac official military records state;
Isaac T. Miller
Private in company A. Enlisted 6/1/61-62 in Pendleton county,
West Virginia. Captured 12/20/62 in Pendleton, County W.
Virginia while on furlough. Sent to Camp Chase,Ohio 12/30/62.
Forwarded to City Point, VA. for exchange 3/28/63.Paroled
5/11/65 at Winchester,VA. His description is; light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, 5'8".
On the 27th of July, 1862, Isaac married Amelia Susan Cowger of Ft. Seybert, Pendleton County. On December 20th, 1862, while home on furlough to visit his pregnant wife, Isaac was captured and arrested by a Captain Scuters. On December 30th, 1862, Isaac was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio. On March 28th, 1863, Isaac was forwarded to City Point, Virginia for exchange. Tragedy occurred on June 13th, 1863, when Amelia died while traveling by horseback in the mountains. On January 12th 1865, Isaac married Fidelliah Margaret Roadcap, also of Ft. Seybert area. On May 11th 1865, Isaac was paroled at Winchester, Virginia.
During the war, the 18th Virginia Cavalry was engaged at the battles of, Jones-Imboden West Virginia Raid, Gettysburg, Piedmont, Waynesboro, Williamsport, New Market, Lynchburg Campaign, Monocacy, 3rd Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and countless other engagements and skirmishes.
One of the 18th Virginia Cavalry's largest roles came when they were called to escort the Confederate army from Gettysburg back to Virginia. Imboden's brigade was met with hard fighting from civilians and Union forces as the lead. July 4th, day after the battle of Gettysburg and the beginning of the retreat, a heavy rainstorm began that General Imboden compared to the windows of Heaven opening. Excerpts from the writings of Brig. General John Imboden C.S.A. (1887) in his account of the retreat from Gettysburg.
"During the Gettysburg campaign, my command an independent brigade of cavalry was engaged, by General Lee's confidential orders, in raids on the left flank of his advancing army, destroying railroad bridges and cutting the canal below Cumberland wherever I could so that I did not reach the field till noon of the last day's battle. I reported direct to General Lee for orders, and was assigned a position to aid in repelling any cavalry demonstration on his rear. None of a serious character being made, my little force took no part in the battle, but was merely spectators of the scene, which transcended in grandeur any that I beheld in any other battle of the war."
"About 4 P. M. the head of the column was put in motion near Cashtown, and began the ascent of the mountain in the direction of Chambersburg. I remained at Cashtown giving directions and putting in detachments of guns and troops at what I estimated to be intervals of a quarter or a third of a mile. It was found from the position of the head of the column west of the mountain at dawn of the 5th, the hour at which Young's cavalry and Hart's battery began tile assent of the mountain near Cashtown, that the entire column was seventeen miles long when drawn out on the road and put in motion. As an advance guard I had placed the 18th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel George W. Imboden in front with a section of MeClanahan's battery."
"No help could be rendered to any of the sufferers. No heed could be given to any of their appeals. Mercy and duty to the many forbade the loss of a moment in the vain effort then and there to comply with the prayers of the few. On! On! We must move on. The storm continued, and the darkness was appalling. There was no time even to fill a canteen with water for a dying man; for, except the drivers and the guards, all were wounded and utterly helpless in that vast procession of misery. During this one night I realized inure of the horrors of war than I had in all the two preceding years."
"And yet in the darkness was our safety, for no enemy would dare attack where he could not distinguish friend from foe. We knew that when day broke upon us we should be harassed by bands of cavalry hanging on our flanks. Therefore our aim was to go as far as possible under cover of the night. Instead of going through Chambersburg, I decided to leave the main road near Fairfield after crossing the mountains, and take "a near cut across the country to Greencastle, where daybreak on the morning of the 5th of July found the head of our column. We were now twelve or fifteen miles from the Potomac at Williamsport, our point of crossing into Virginia."
"Here our apprehended troubles began. After the advance of the 18th Virginia Cavalry had passed perhaps a mile beyond the town, the citizens to the number of thirty or forty attacked the train with axes, cutting the spokes out of ten or a dozen wheels and dropping the wagons in the streets. The moment I heard of it I sent back a detachment of cavalry to capture every citizen who had been engaged in this work, and treat them as prisoners of war. This stopped the trouble there, but the Union cavalry began to swarm down upon us from the fields and crossroads, making their attacks in small bodies, and striking the column where there were few or no guards, and thus creating great confusion. I had a narrow escape from capture by one of these parties of perhaps fifty men that I tried to drive off with canister from two of MeClanahan's guns that were close at hand. They would perhaps have been too much for me; had not Colonel Imboden, hearing the firing turned back with his regiment at a gallop, and by the suddenness of his movement surrounded and caught the entire party."
"The enemy appeared in our front about half-past one o'clock on both the Hagerstown, and Boonsboro' roads, and the fight began. Every man under my command understood that if we did not repulse the enemy we should all be captured and General Lee's army be ruined by the loss of its transportation, which at that period could not have been replaced in the Confederacy. The fight began with artillery on both sides. The firing from our side was very rapid, and seemed to make the enemy hesitate about advancing."
"I moved the 18th Virginia Cavalry and 62d Virginia Mounted Infantry rapidly to the right, to meet and repel five advancing regiments (dismounted) of the enemy. My three regiments, with Captain John H. McNeill's Partisan Rangers and Aylett's Wagoner's, had to sustain a very severe contest. Hart, seeing how hard we were pressed on the right, charged the enemy's right with his little command, and at the same time Eshleman with his eight Napoleons advanced four hundred yards to the front, and got an enfilading position, from which, with the aid of McClanahan's battery, he poured a furious fire into the enemy's line. The 62d and Aylett, supported by the 18th Cavalry, and McNeill, charged the enemy who fell back sullenly to their horses.
Night was now rapidly approaching, when a messenger from Fitzhugh Lee arrived to urge me to "hold my own," as he would be up in a half hour with three thousand fresh men. The news was sent along our whole line, and was received with a wild and exultant yell. We knew then that the field was won, and slowly pressed forward. Almost at the same moment we heard distant guns on the enemy's rear and right on the Hagerstown road. They were Stuart's, who was approaching on that road, while Fitzhugh Lee was coming on the Greencastle road. That settled the contest. The enemy broke to the left and fled."
Excerpts from
The Retreat from Gettysburg
By Brig. General John Imboden C.S.A. (1887)
The History of Pendleton Co West Virginia which was published by Oren F. Morton in 1910 states that the 18th Virginia Cavalry served chiefly in the Shenandoah Valley, with an occasional movement beyond the Blue Ridge and Alleghenies. That they were involved in three actions at Winchester and two at Kernstown. According to Morton, its most severe engagement was at Piedmont. Morton states that the men of the 18th Virginia provided by Pendleton County were of sterling quality and saw hard fighting.
During General Sheridan's Valley campaign the 18th was almost under continued fire for six weeks. The 18th also saw a great deal of action at New Market, where a day or two before the battle it captured a force of Federal Cavalry that had been driven into a cove of Massanutten Mountain.
After the war, Isaac returned to his home in Upper Tract, and raised a family there until December 1884. According to a Land Deed dated the 29th of November 1884 Isaac and his wife Fidellah sold their property to George A. Judy, 197 acres lying at the Upper Tract on the east side of the South Branch adjoining lands of Rev. George Schmucker, John H. Miller, Isaac T. Kile, and the said George A. Judy. The selling price was nine hundred dollars. This land was conveyed to Isaac T Miller on March 22 1873 by John H. Miller, his nephew and his brother Job Miller, for one dollar. This land is part of a 430 acre tract of land granted by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Isaac's father, John T. Miller on the 30th day of June 1845. And in John T Miller's will dated 1859, the property was to be divided between Amos, Job and Isaac Miller after the death of the their mother, Susannah. In the March 22 1873 deed it mentions that on the 1st of April 1871 Amos Miller conveyed all his interest in the land to his son John H. Miller for the consideration of one dollar. the 1871 deed also mentions that the land is still in the possession of the mother, Susannah Miller, but she had given the said parties the land entitled to them at her death and that the parties had agreed between themselves to makes divisions of the said land and had the divisions surveyed. The home that Isaac Miller sells to George A. Judy is added on to and later sold to his daughter Virginia (Jennie) Judy, wife of Jacob Mallow. this home later goes to their son, Olin Mallow.
On December 8th, 1884, Isaac T. Miller and family arrived by train in Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana, according to what he wrote in his pocket book which was in the possession of his granddaughter, Florence Miller Brown of Winchester, Indiana 1997. Isaac moves his family on to 1 acre of land in section 14 of White River Township, Randolph Co. on the old Goodrich pike just north of the railroad tracks. The home was the first home north of the tracks on the west side of what is now 375W. According to land deed records, it appears that Isaac and Fidellia purchased the 1 acre plot from Elihu and Eliza Addington. The property is described as being in the south west quarter of section 14, township 20 north of range 13. According to the land deed Isaac paid sixty five dollars for the property. Although Isaac and family arrived in December 1884 to Randolph Co, Isaac didn't purchased the land until February 18th 1888.
According to his granddaughter, Florence Brown Isaac use to have quarrels with a few of the old union soldiers who lived in the area. One in particular that she mentions is William B. Denton who was a member of the Indiana volunteers during the war. Mr. Denton had a general store that he ran in Mull, which is 300N and 500W intersection. Isaac would often go into the store just to "tangle" with Mr. Denton. Also Mildred Longerbone, another granddaughter of Isaac said that Isaac would go into town and where he would indulge in some drinking and would get into some trouble, and that his son Johnson would have to hitch up the wagon and go into town to bring him home. Florence also said of Isaac that he was quiet and didn't talk much. According to Florence, Isaac had a hand that was partially paralyzed from blood poisoning. This injury may have come from an injury that occurred during the civil war to his wrist. According to Harold Mowery, a descendant of Isaac's sister Malinda Mowery who is possession of a musket ball that is he said was sent to Malinda by Isaac durning the war. Harold stated that "Ike" as he was referred to in the Mowery family was struck in the wrist by the ball while getting up,off the ground. Isaac recovered the ball and sent it to Malinda. This would not be unusual, since Connie Cherry, another descendant of Malinda has the only known photo of Issac and another man taken during the civil war. The photo is a small tintype.
Concerning the death of Isaac, his death certificate states he was demented, wandered away from home and hit by a train. Isaac would often be founding sitting out on the railroad tracks and family members would find him and bring him home. He would tell them that he was waiting to go back to West Virginia. If Isaac was demented when he was struck by the train, maybe he was unaware of the fast approaching train. He also walked with a cane, so possibly he was unable to rise fast enough or fell when trying to get up.
Isaac also organize the first Miller reunion at his home on July 14, 1907. Attending was Isaac's children and grandchildren, also Job Miller's daughter Mary Jane, wife of Levi T. Shaver and their daughter, Bessie. Theses Reunions continued until the late 1960's
WINCHESTER, INDIANA
JULY 1998
HEADSTONE DEDICATION SERVICE
SATURDAY AT MAXVILLE
FOR CONFEDERATE SOLDIER
ANCESTOR OF AREA RESIDENT
Dennis Miller of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was doing research when he discovered that his great, great grandfather, Confederate Civil War Veteran, Isaac T. Miller, had moved to Randolph County from West Virginia in 1884.
Miller also learned his ancestor died in 1915 when he was hit by a train approximately two miles west of Winchester.
Dennis Miller also discovered that his ancestor is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Maxville, in a grave which is marked, but to this date had no headstone.
Miller was told a headstone could be furnished through a government agency known as the Veterans Memorial Program.
A new marker was ordered by Miller, which lists Isaac Miller's company, regiment and rank.
A dedication service for the simple upright, white marble marker will be held at 1 p.m. this Sunday at the cemetery.
The dedication will be performed by a group of descendants of Civil War soldiers, known as the Sons of Confederates.
The Farmland and Winchester American Legion posts will also be involved in the dedication service. The Reverend Robert Brown of Terre Haute will lead the dedication service.
Miller, through a distant cousin, Dewayne Borror, of Franklin, West Virginia, obtained a sample of soil from Isaac Miller's West Virginia homestead, which will be sprinkled on the grave.
Florence Miller Brown of near Winchester, who is Isaac Miller's granddaughter, is the soldier's closest living relative.
Thursday, July 22, 1915
Winchester, Indiana
ISAAC MILLER KILLED BY TRAIN
Big Four Passenger Runs Down Aged Man Sunday
West of City-Horribly Mangled
Isaac Miller, aged seventy-six, a confederate soldier and well known Randolph county resident, was struck and instantly killed by the west bound Big Four passenger train No. 419 at 1:40 o'clock Sunday afternoon, at a crossing three miles west of the city. His body was mangled beyond recognition. It was taken to the Frank and Pursley undertaking parlors and prepared for burial. The train was running at an estimated rate of fifty miles an hour when it struck Miller. It ran a distance of three hundred yards before being brought to a stop and Miller's mangled body was dragged an estimated distance of two hundred yards. The train was delayed twenty minutes. Miller left home a quarter of a mile away from where the accident occurred shortly after eating his noon day meal. It is said he was in a despondent mood during the morning hours, although it is understood that he made no threats on his life. In leaving his home he followed a short path through the fields to the railroad tracks. he was accompanied by the family dog- a pet, which had remained at his side for years. Upon reaching the railroad tracks, Miller sat down on the rails. He was seated on the south rail and was facing the south, when the train approached. The dog was at his side and he was petting it. A warning, it is said, was sounded by the train and just before the engine reached him, Miller turned his face and looked towards it. Miller then fell back across the tracks. Miller's body was severed at his hips and was horribly mangled. The dog was also killed. Its feet were found lying beside a portion of the man's body. He is survived by a widow, Margaret Miller, five sons, three daughters. The funeral services were held Tuesday morning at the Maxville church with interment at Woodlawn cemetery nearby.
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Isaac Miller, lacking 4 days of being 76 years of age, was killed by the fast West bound Big Four passenger train West of the city Sunday afternoon. Coroner Evans was called and has returned a verdict of accidental death. The engineer of the train testified that when he saw Miller sitting on the South rail with his feet on the outside, he whistled; Miller looked up at the fast approaching train and laid or fell over into the space between the rails. The engineer believes it was suicide, but the Coroner concluded that possibly, Mr. Miller attempted to raise but failed in the effort. The body was frightfully mangled as was the body of his pet dog which was with him at the time of the tragedy. The mangled remains were brought to the undertaking parlor of Frank & Pursley in their ambulance and dressed. Funeral services were held yesterday by Rev. Harvey Thornburg and interment at Maxville. A widow, five sons and three daughters survive. The deceased came several years ago from Virginia where he served in the Confederate army and settled a short distance North of the Big Four on the road known as the Goodrich pike where he has continuously made his home an it was near this home that he met death.
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Obituary
Isaac T. Miller
Isaac T. Miller was born July 22, 1839 in Pendleton county, West Virginia; moved to this county thirty one years ago; departed this life July 18, 1915, aged 75 years 11 months and 26 days. He was married to Amelia Cowger 27th of July 1862; to this union was born one son, Johnson Miller. The mother departed this life June 24, (13) 1863. He was married to Fidella Roadcap January 29, 1865; to this union were born five sons three daughters. Charles E. having departed this life November 23, 1893; the children who survive him are William H. , Stephen P., Martha S., James H., Rebecca L., Mary E., Robert L.
Father Miller was a kind husband and was always ready to lend a helping hand in sickness. He has said he was ready to die when the Lord called him. Text: John the 14th 1 to 15.
Funeral services were held at Maxville Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, July 27, 1915 conducted by Rev. N.H. Thornburg, assisted by Rev. Abraham Rust. Interment at that place.
The connection return their sincere thanks to those who responded so nobly---neighbors and friends in the loss of our dear father.
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Isaac T. Miller was born and raised just east of Upper Tract on Kline road, now known as Schmucker road. He was of predominantly German ancestry. The original Millers to the area owned land on the east side of a branch of the Potomac river on the south side of Schmucker road. The Millers are first recorded purchasing property in this area as early as the 1790s when the German immigrant John Miller Sr. great grandfather of Isaac, bought land at the headwaters of Mill Run where it's connects to the South branch of the Potomac. Isaac was baptized in the Mallow German Reformed Church, Kline, Pendleton Co. August 30, 1839. Family lore claims that Isaac's mother Susannah (Hedrick) Miller was part Native American. No evidence has ever been found to prove this information.
With the onset of the war in 1861, Pendleton county became a divided county. The union army that occupied the Pendleton region were known for their harsh treatment of the residents of the county, raiding farms for food, fresh horses or whatever was needed. Anyone who did not comply would be considered to be supporting the Southern cause and on occasion have the their homes burned and the men taken out and shot. There was no escape, and no neutral ground, resident had to declare their allegiance to either the North or the South. Isaac, and his two brothers, Amos and Job Miller, declared their allegiance to their home state of Virginia in November 1861 when they enlisted in the 46th Virginia Militia. Isaac was a 2nd Corporal and his two brother Privates in Company C. That same month, the 46th was ordered by General Stonewall Jackson to Winchester, Virginia, to assist Jackson's Winter Campaign at Romney. Shortly after this, the 46th disbanded in April, 1862. On June 1 1862, Isaac enlisted in the 1st Virginia Regiment Partisan Rangers Company F. Isaac was a Private in this regiment, which in December 1862, under General John D. Imboden, would become the 18th Virginia Cavalry Company A. Most of its members had served in the 1st Regiment Virginia Partisan Rangers (subsequently the 62nd Regiment Virginia Infantry).
Isaac official military records state;
Isaac T. Miller
Private in company A. Enlisted 6/1/61-62 in Pendleton county,
West Virginia. Captured 12/20/62 in Pendleton, County W.
Virginia while on furlough. Sent to Camp Chase,Ohio 12/30/62.
Forwarded to City Point, VA. for exchange 3/28/63.Paroled
5/11/65 at Winchester,VA. His description is; light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, 5'8".
On the 27th of July, 1862, Isaac married Amelia Susan Cowger of Ft. Seybert, Pendleton County. On December 20th, 1862, while home on furlough to visit his pregnant wife, Isaac was captured and arrested by a Captain Scuters. On December 30th, 1862, Isaac was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio. On March 28th, 1863, Isaac was forwarded to City Point, Virginia for exchange. Tragedy occurred on June 13th, 1863, when Amelia died while traveling by horseback in the mountains. On January 12th 1865, Isaac married Fidelliah Margaret Roadcap, also of Ft. Seybert area. On May 11th 1865, Isaac was paroled at Winchester, Virginia.
During the war, the 18th Virginia Cavalry was engaged at the battles of, Jones-Imboden West Virginia Raid, Gettysburg, Piedmont, Waynesboro, Williamsport, New Market, Lynchburg Campaign, Monocacy, 3rd Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and countless other engagements and skirmishes.
One of the 18th Virginia Cavalry's largest roles came when they were called to escort the Confederate army from Gettysburg back to Virginia. Imboden's brigade was met with hard fighting from civilians and Union forces as the lead. July 4th, day after the battle of Gettysburg and the beginning of the retreat, a heavy rainstorm began that General Imboden compared to the windows of Heaven opening. Excerpts from the writings of Brig. General John Imboden C.S.A. (1887) in his account of the retreat from Gettysburg.
"During the Gettysburg campaign, my command an independent brigade of cavalry was engaged, by General Lee's confidential orders, in raids on the left flank of his advancing army, destroying railroad bridges and cutting the canal below Cumberland wherever I could so that I did not reach the field till noon of the last day's battle. I reported direct to General Lee for orders, and was assigned a position to aid in repelling any cavalry demonstration on his rear. None of a serious character being made, my little force took no part in the battle, but was merely spectators of the scene, which transcended in grandeur any that I beheld in any other battle of the war."
"About 4 P. M. the head of the column was put in motion near Cashtown, and began the ascent of the mountain in the direction of Chambersburg. I remained at Cashtown giving directions and putting in detachments of guns and troops at what I estimated to be intervals of a quarter or a third of a mile. It was found from the position of the head of the column west of the mountain at dawn of the 5th, the hour at which Young's cavalry and Hart's battery began tile assent of the mountain near Cashtown, that the entire column was seventeen miles long when drawn out on the road and put in motion. As an advance guard I had placed the 18th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel George W. Imboden in front with a section of MeClanahan's battery."
"No help could be rendered to any of the sufferers. No heed could be given to any of their appeals. Mercy and duty to the many forbade the loss of a moment in the vain effort then and there to comply with the prayers of the few. On! On! We must move on. The storm continued, and the darkness was appalling. There was no time even to fill a canteen with water for a dying man; for, except the drivers and the guards, all were wounded and utterly helpless in that vast procession of misery. During this one night I realized inure of the horrors of war than I had in all the two preceding years."
"And yet in the darkness was our safety, for no enemy would dare attack where he could not distinguish friend from foe. We knew that when day broke upon us we should be harassed by bands of cavalry hanging on our flanks. Therefore our aim was to go as far as possible under cover of the night. Instead of going through Chambersburg, I decided to leave the main road near Fairfield after crossing the mountains, and take "a near cut across the country to Greencastle, where daybreak on the morning of the 5th of July found the head of our column. We were now twelve or fifteen miles from the Potomac at Williamsport, our point of crossing into Virginia."
"Here our apprehended troubles began. After the advance of the 18th Virginia Cavalry had passed perhaps a mile beyond the town, the citizens to the number of thirty or forty attacked the train with axes, cutting the spokes out of ten or a dozen wheels and dropping the wagons in the streets. The moment I heard of it I sent back a detachment of cavalry to capture every citizen who had been engaged in this work, and treat them as prisoners of war. This stopped the trouble there, but the Union cavalry began to swarm down upon us from the fields and crossroads, making their attacks in small bodies, and striking the column where there were few or no guards, and thus creating great confusion. I had a narrow escape from capture by one of these parties of perhaps fifty men that I tried to drive off with canister from two of MeClanahan's guns that were close at hand. They would perhaps have been too much for me; had not Colonel Imboden, hearing the firing turned back with his regiment at a gallop, and by the suddenness of his movement surrounded and caught the entire party."
"The enemy appeared in our front about half-past one o'clock on both the Hagerstown, and Boonsboro' roads, and the fight began. Every man under my command understood that if we did not repulse the enemy we should all be captured and General Lee's army be ruined by the loss of its transportation, which at that period could not have been replaced in the Confederacy. The fight began with artillery on both sides. The firing from our side was very rapid, and seemed to make the enemy hesitate about advancing."
"I moved the 18th Virginia Cavalry and 62d Virginia Mounted Infantry rapidly to the right, to meet and repel five advancing regiments (dismounted) of the enemy. My three regiments, with Captain John H. McNeill's Partisan Rangers and Aylett's Wagoner's, had to sustain a very severe contest. Hart, seeing how hard we were pressed on the right, charged the enemy's right with his little command, and at the same time Eshleman with his eight Napoleons advanced four hundred yards to the front, and got an enfilading position, from which, with the aid of McClanahan's battery, he poured a furious fire into the enemy's line. The 62d and Aylett, supported by the 18th Cavalry, and McNeill, charged the enemy who fell back sullenly to their horses.
Night was now rapidly approaching, when a messenger from Fitzhugh Lee arrived to urge me to "hold my own," as he would be up in a half hour with three thousand fresh men. The news was sent along our whole line, and was received with a wild and exultant yell. We knew then that the field was won, and slowly pressed forward. Almost at the same moment we heard distant guns on the enemy's rear and right on the Hagerstown road. They were Stuart's, who was approaching on that road, while Fitzhugh Lee was coming on the Greencastle road. That settled the contest. The enemy broke to the left and fled."
Excerpts from
The Retreat from Gettysburg
By Brig. General John Imboden C.S.A. (1887)
The History of Pendleton Co West Virginia which was published by Oren F. Morton in 1910 states that the 18th Virginia Cavalry served chiefly in the Shenandoah Valley, with an occasional movement beyond the Blue Ridge and Alleghenies. That they were involved in three actions at Winchester and two at Kernstown. According to Morton, its most severe engagement was at Piedmont. Morton states that the men of the 18th Virginia provided by Pendleton County were of sterling quality and saw hard fighting.
During General Sheridan's Valley campaign the 18th was almost under continued fire for six weeks. The 18th also saw a great deal of action at New Market, where a day or two before the battle it captured a force of Federal Cavalry that had been driven into a cove of Massanutten Mountain.
After the war, Isaac returned to his home in Upper Tract, and raised a family there until December 1884. According to a Land Deed dated the 29th of November 1884 Isaac and his wife Fidellah sold their property to George A. Judy, 197 acres lying at the Upper Tract on the east side of the South Branch adjoining lands of Rev. George Schmucker, John H. Miller, Isaac T. Kile, and the said George A. Judy. The selling price was nine hundred dollars. This land was conveyed to Isaac T Miller on March 22 1873 by John H. Miller, his nephew and his brother Job Miller, for one dollar. This land is part of a 430 acre tract of land granted by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Isaac's father, John T. Miller on the 30th day of June 1845. And in John T Miller's will dated 1859, the property was to be divided between Amos, Job and Isaac Miller after the death of the their mother, Susannah. In the March 22 1873 deed it mentions that on the 1st of April 1871 Amos Miller conveyed all his interest in the land to his son John H. Miller for the consideration of one dollar. the 1871 deed also mentions that the land is still in the possession of the mother, Susannah Miller, but she had given the said parties the land entitled to them at her death and that the parties had agreed between themselves to makes divisions of the said land and had the divisions surveyed. The home that Isaac Miller sells to George A. Judy is added on to and later sold to his daughter Virginia (Jennie) Judy, wife of Jacob Mallow. this home later goes to their son, Olin Mallow.
On December 8th, 1884, Isaac T. Miller and family arrived by train in Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana, according to what he wrote in his pocket book which was in the possession of his granddaughter, Florence Miller Brown of Winchester, Indiana 1997. Isaac moves his family on to 1 acre of land in section 14 of White River Township, Randolph Co. on the old Goodrich pike just north of the railroad tracks. The home was the first home north of the tracks on the west side of what is now 375W. According to land deed records, it appears that Isaac and Fidellia purchased the 1 acre plot from Elihu and Eliza Addington. The property is described as being in the south west quarter of section 14, township 20 north of range 13. According to the land deed Isaac paid sixty five dollars for the property. Although Isaac and family arrived in December 1884 to Randolph Co, Isaac didn't purchased the land until February 18th 1888.
According to his granddaughter, Florence Brown Isaac use to have quarrels with a few of the old union soldiers who lived in the area. One in particular that she mentions is William B. Denton who was a member of the Indiana volunteers during the war. Mr. Denton had a general store that he ran in Mull, which is 300N and 500W intersection. Isaac would often go into the store just to "tangle" with Mr. Denton. Also Mildred Longerbone, another granddaughter of Isaac said that Isaac would go into town and where he would indulge in some drinking and would get into some trouble, and that his son Johnson would have to hitch up the wagon and go into town to bring him home. Florence also said of Isaac that he was quiet and didn't talk much. According to Florence, Isaac had a hand that was partially paralyzed from blood poisoning. This injury may have come from an injury that occurred during the civil war to his wrist. According to Harold Mowery, a descendant of Isaac's sister Malinda Mowery who is possession of a musket ball that is he said was sent to Malinda by Isaac durning the war. Harold stated that "Ike" as he was referred to in the Mowery family was struck in the wrist by the ball while getting up,off the ground. Isaac recovered the ball and sent it to Malinda. This would not be unusual, since Connie Cherry, another descendant of Malinda has the only known photo of Issac and another man taken during the civil war. The photo is a small tintype.
Concerning the death of Isaac, his death certificate states he was demented, wandered away from home and hit by a train. Isaac would often be founding sitting out on the railroad tracks and family members would find him and bring him home. He would tell them that he was waiting to go back to West Virginia. If Isaac was demented when he was struck by the train, maybe he was unaware of the fast approaching train. He also walked with a cane, so possibly he was unable to rise fast enough or fell when trying to get up.
Isaac also organize the first Miller reunion at his home on July 14, 1907. Attending was Isaac's children and grandchildren, also Job Miller's daughter Mary Jane, wife of Levi T. Shaver and their daughter, Bessie. Theses Reunions continued until the late 1960's
WINCHESTER, INDIANA
JULY 1998
HEADSTONE DEDICATION SERVICE
SATURDAY AT MAXVILLE
FOR CONFEDERATE SOLDIER
ANCESTOR OF AREA RESIDENT
Dennis Miller of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was doing research when he discovered that his great, great grandfather, Confederate Civil War Veteran, Isaac T. Miller, had moved to Randolph County from West Virginia in 1884.
Miller also learned his ancestor died in 1915 when he was hit by a train approximately two miles west of Winchester.
Dennis Miller also discovered that his ancestor is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Maxville, in a grave which is marked, but to this date had no headstone.
Miller was told a headstone could be furnished through a government agency known as the Veterans Memorial Program.
A new marker was ordered by Miller, which lists Isaac Miller's company, regiment and rank.
A dedication service for the simple upright, white marble marker will be held at 1 p.m. this Sunday at the cemetery.
The dedication will be performed by a group of descendants of Civil War soldiers, known as the Sons of Confederates.
The Farmland and Winchester American Legion posts will also be involved in the dedication service. The Reverend Robert Brown of Terre Haute will lead the dedication service.
Miller, through a distant cousin, Dewayne Borror, of Franklin, West Virginia, obtained a sample of soil from Isaac Miller's West Virginia homestead, which will be sprinkled on the grave.
Florence Miller Brown of near Winchester, who is Isaac Miller's granddaughter, is the soldier's closest living relative.
Winchester Journal
Thursday, July 22, 1915
Winchester, Indiana
ISAAC MILLER KILLED BY TRAIN
Big Four Passenger Runs Down Aged Man Sunday
West of City-Horribly Mangled
Isaac Miller, aged seventy-six, a confederate soldier and well known Randolph county resident, was struck and instantly killed by the west bound Big Four passenger train No. 419 at 1:40 o'clock Sunday afternoon, at a crossing three miles west of the city. His body was mangled beyond recognition. It was taken to the Frank and Pursley undertaking parlors and prepared for burial. The train was running at an estimated rate of fifty miles an hour when it struck Miller. It ran a distance of three hundred yards before being brought to a stop and Miller's mangled body was dragged an estimated distance of two hundred yards. The train was delayed twenty minutes. Miller left home a quarter of a mile away from where the accident occurred shortly after eating his noon day meal. It is said he was in a despondent mood during the morning hours, although it is understood that he made no threats on his life. In leaving his home he followed a short path through the fields to the railroad tracks. he was accompanied by the family dog- a pet, which had remained at his side for years. Upon reaching the railroad tracks, Miller sat down on the rails. He was seated on the south rail and was facing the south, when the train approached. The dog was at his side and he was petting it. A warning, it is said, was sounded by the train and just before the engine reached him, Miller turned his face and looked towards it. Miller then fell back across the tracks. Miller's body was severed at his hips and was horribly mangled. The dog was also killed. Its feet were found lying beside a portion of the man's body. He is survived by a widow, Margaret Miller, five sons, three daughters. The funeral services were held Tuesday morning at the Maxville church with interment at Woodlawn cemetery nearby.
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Isaac Miller, lacking 4 days of being 76 years of age, was killed by the fast West bound Big Four passenger train West of the city Sunday afternoon. Coroner Evans was called and has returned a verdict of accidental death. The engineer of the train testified that when he saw Miller sitting on the South rail with his feet on the outside, he whistled; Miller looked up at the fast approaching train and laid or fell over into the space between the rails. The engineer believes it was suicide, but the Coroner concluded that possibly, Mr. Miller attempted to raise but failed in the effort. The body was frightfully mangled as was the body of his pet dog which was with him at the time of the tragedy. The mangled remains were brought to the undertaking parlor of Frank & Pursley in their ambulance and dressed. Funeral services were held yesterday by Rev. Harvey Thornburg and interment at Maxville. A widow, five sons and three daughters survive. The deceased came several years ago from Virginia where he served in the Confederate army and settled a short distance North of the Big Four on the road known as the Goodrich pike where he has continuously made his home an it was near this home that he met death.
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Obituary
Isaac T. Miller
Isaac T. Miller was born July 22, 1839 in Pendleton county, West Virginia; moved to this county thirty one years ago; departed this life July 18, 1915, aged 75 years 11 months and 26 days. He was married to Amelia Cowger 27th of July 1862; to this union was born one son, Johnson Miller. The mother departed this life June 24, (13) 1863. He was married to Fidella Roadcap January 29, 1865; to this union were born five sons three daughters. Charles E. having departed this life November 23, 1893; the children who survive him are William H. , Stephen P., Martha S., James H., Rebecca L., Mary E., Robert L.
Father Miller was a kind husband and was always ready to lend a helping hand in sickness. He has said he was ready to die when the Lord called him. Text: John the 14th 1 to 15.
Funeral services were held at Maxville Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, July 27, 1915 conducted by Rev. N.H. Thornburg, assisted by Rev. Abraham Rust. Interment at that place.
The connection return their sincere thanks to those who responded so nobly---neighbors and friends in the loss of our dear father.
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Isaac T. Miller was born and raised just east of Upper Tract on Kline road, now known as Schmucker road. He was of predominantly German ancestry. The original Millers to the area owned land on the east side of a branch of the Potomac river on the south side of Schmucker road. The Millers are first recorded purchasing property in this area as early as the 1790s when the German immigrant John Miller Sr. great grandfather of Isaac, bought land at the headwaters of Mill Run where it's connects to the South branch of the Potomac. Isaac was baptized in the Mallow German Reformed Church, Kline, Pendleton Co. August 30, 1839. Family lore claims that Isaac's mother Susannah (Hedrick) Miller was part Native American. No evidence has ever been found to prove this information.
With the onset of the war in 1861, Pendleton county became a divided county. The union army that occupied the Pendleton region were known for their harsh treatment of the residents of the county, raiding farms for food, fresh horses or whatever was needed. Anyone who did not comply would be considered to be supporting the Southern cause and on occasion have the their homes burned and the men taken out and shot. There was no escape, and no neutral ground, resident had to declare their allegiance to either the North or the South. Isaac, and his two brothers, Amos and Job Miller, declared their allegiance to their home state of Virginia in November 1861 when they enlisted in the 46th Virginia Militia. Isaac was a 2nd Corporal and his two brother Privates in Company C. That same month, the 46th was ordered by General Stonewall Jackson to Winchester, Virginia, to assist Jackson's Winter Campaign at Romney. Shortly after this, the 46th disbanded in April, 1862. On June 1 1862, Isaac enlisted in the 1st Virginia Regiment Partisan Rangers Company F. Isaac was a Private in this regiment, which in December 1862, under General John D. Imboden, would become the 18th Virginia Cavalry Company A. Most of its members had served in the 1st Regiment Virginia Partisan Rangers (subsequently the 62nd Regiment Virginia Infantry).
Isaac official military records state;
Isaac T. Miller
Private in company A. Enlisted 6/1/61-62 in Pendleton county,
West Virginia. Captured 12/20/62 in Pendleton, County W.
Virginia while on furlough. Sent to Camp Chase,Ohio 12/30/62.
Forwarded to City Point, VA. for exchange 3/28/63.Paroled
5/11/65 at Winchester,VA. His description is; light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, 5'8".
On the 27th of July, 1862, Isaac married Amelia Susan Cowger of Ft. Seybert, Pendleton County. On December 20th, 1862, while home on furlough to visit his pregnant wife, Isaac was captured and arrested by a Captain Scuters. On December 30th, 1862, Isaac was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio. On March 28th, 1863, Isaac was forwarded to City Point, Virginia for exchange. Tragedy occurred on June 13th, 1863, when Amelia died while traveling by horseback in the mountains. On January 12th 1865, Isaac married Fidelliah Margaret Roadcap, also of Ft. Seybert area. On May 11th 1865, Isaac was paroled at Winchester, Virginia.
During the war, the 18th Virginia Cavalry was engaged at the battles of, Jones-Imboden West Virginia Raid, Gettysburg, Piedmont, Waynesboro, Williamsport, New Market, Lynchburg Campaign, Monocacy, 3rd Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and countless other engagements and skirmishes.
One of the 18th Virginia Cavalry's largest roles came when they were called to escort the Confederate army from Gettysburg back to Virginia. Imboden's brigade was met with hard fighting from civilians and Union forces as the lead. July 4th, day after the battle of Gettysburg and the beginning of the retreat, a heavy rainstorm began that General Imboden compared to the windows of Heaven opening. Excerpts from the writings of Brig. General John Imboden C.S.A. (1887) in his account of the retreat from Gettysburg.
"During the Gettysburg campaign, my command an independent brigade of cavalry was engaged, by General Lee's confidential orders, in raids on the left flank of his advancing army, destroying railroad bridges and cutting the canal below Cumberland wherever I could so that I did not reach the field till noon of the last day's battle. I reported direct to General Lee for orders, and was assigned a position to aid in repelling any cavalry demonstration on his rear. None of a serious character being made, my little force took no part in the battle, but was merely spectators of the scene, which transcended in grandeur any that I beheld in any other battle of the war."
"About 4 P. M. the head of the column was put in motion near Cashtown, and began the ascent of the mountain in the direction of Chambersburg. I remained at Cashtown giving directions and putting in detachments of guns and troops at what I estimated to be intervals of a quarter or a third of a mile. It was found from the position of the head of the column west of the mountain at dawn of the 5th, the hour at which Young's cavalry and Hart's battery began tile assent of the mountain near Cashtown, that the entire column was seventeen miles long when drawn out on the road and put in motion. As an advance guard I had placed the 18th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel George W. Imboden in front with a section of MeClanahan's battery."
"No help could be rendered to any of the sufferers. No heed could be given to any of their appeals. Mercy and duty to the many forbade the loss of a moment in the vain effort then and there to comply with the prayers of the few. On! On! We must move on. The storm continued, and the darkness was appalling. There was no time even to fill a canteen with water for a dying man; for, except the drivers and the guards, all were wounded and utterly helpless in that vast procession of misery. During this one night I realized inure of the horrors of war than I had in all the two preceding years."
"And yet in the darkness was our safety, for no enemy would dare attack where he could not distinguish friend from foe. We knew that when day broke upon us we should be harassed by bands of cavalry hanging on our flanks. Therefore our aim was to go as far as possible under cover of the night. Instead of going through Chambersburg, I decided to leave the main road near Fairfield after crossing the mountains, and take "a near cut across the country to Greencastle, where daybreak on the morning of the 5th of July found the head of our column. We were now twelve or fifteen miles from the Potomac at Williamsport, our point of crossing into Virginia."
"Here our apprehended troubles began. After the advance of the 18th Virginia Cavalry had passed perhaps a mile beyond the town, the citizens to the number of thirty or forty attacked the train with axes, cutting the spokes out of ten or a dozen wheels and dropping the wagons in the streets. The moment I heard of it I sent back a detachment of cavalry to capture every citizen who had been engaged in this work, and treat them as prisoners of war. This stopped the trouble there, but the Union cavalry began to swarm down upon us from the fields and crossroads, making their attacks in small bodies, and striking the column where there were few or no guards, and thus creating great confusion. I had a narrow escape from capture by one of these parties of perhaps fifty men that I tried to drive off with canister from two of MeClanahan's guns that were close at hand. They would perhaps have been too much for me; had not Colonel Imboden, hearing the firing turned back with his regiment at a gallop, and by the suddenness of his movement surrounded and caught the entire party."
"The enemy appeared in our front about half-past one o'clock on both the Hagerstown, and Boonsboro' roads, and the fight began. Every man under my command understood that if we did not repulse the enemy we should all be captured and General Lee's army be ruined by the loss of its transportation, which at that period could not have been replaced in the Confederacy. The fight began with artillery on both sides. The firing from our side was very rapid, and seemed to make the enemy hesitate about advancing."
"I moved the 18th Virginia Cavalry and 62d Virginia Mounted Infantry rapidly to the right, to meet and repel five advancing regiments (dismounted) of the enemy. My three regiments, with Captain John H. McNeill's Partisan Rangers and Aylett's Wagoner's, had to sustain a very severe contest. Hart, seeing how hard we were pressed on the right, charged the enemy's right with his little command, and at the same time Eshleman with his eight Napoleons advanced four hundred yards to the front, and got an enfilading position, from which, with the aid of McClanahan's battery, he poured a furious fire into the enemy's line. The 62d and Aylett, supported by the 18th Cavalry, and McNeill, charged the enemy who fell back sullenly to their horses.
Night was now rapidly approaching, when a messenger from Fitzhugh Lee arrived to urge me to "hold my own," as he would be up in a half hour with three thousand fresh men. The news was sent along our whole line, and was received with a wild and exultant yell. We knew then that the field was won, and slowly pressed forward. Almost at the same moment we heard distant guns on the enemy's rear and right on the Hagerstown road. They were Stuart's, who was approaching on that road, while Fitzhugh Lee was coming on the Greencastle road. That settled the contest. The enemy broke to the left and fled."
Excerpts from
The Retreat from Gettysburg
By Brig. General John Imboden C.S.A. (1887)
The History of Pendleton Co West Virginia which was published by Oren F. Morton in 1910 states that the 18th Virginia Cavalry served chiefly in the Shenandoah Valley, with an occasional movement beyond the Blue Ridge and Alleghenies. That they were involved in three actions at Winchester and two at Kernstown. According to Morton, its most severe engagement was at Piedmont. Morton states that the men of the 18th Virginia provided by Pendleton County were of sterling quality and saw hard fighting.
During General Sheridan's Valley campaign the 18th was almost under continued fire for six weeks. The 18th also saw a great deal of action at New Market, where a day or two before the battle it captured a force of Federal Cavalry that had been driven into a cove of Massanutten Mountain.
After the war, Isaac returned to his home in Upper Tract, and raised a family there until December 1884. According to a Land Deed dated the 29th of November 1884 Isaac and his wife Fidellah sold their property to George A. Judy, 197 acres lying at the Upper Tract on the east side of the South Branch adjoining lands of Rev. George Schmucker, John H. Miller, Isaac T. Kile, and the said George A. Judy. The selling price was nine hundred dollars. This land was conveyed to Isaac T Miller on March 22 1873 by John H. Miller, his nephew and his brother Job Miller, for one dollar. This land is part of a 430 acre tract of land granted by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Isaac's father, John T. Miller on the 30th day of June 1845. And in John T Miller's will dated 1859, the property was to be divided between Amos, Job and Isaac Miller after the death of the their mother, Susannah. In the March 22 1873 deed it mentions that on the 1st of April 1871 Amos Miller conveyed all his interest in the land to his son John H. Miller for the consideration of one dollar. the 1871 deed also mentions that the land is still in the possession of the mother, Susannah Miller, but she had given the said parties the land entitled to them at her death and that the parties had agreed between themselves to makes divisions of the said land and had the divisions surveyed. The home that Isaac Miller sells to George A. Judy is added on to and later sold to his daughter Virginia (Jennie) Judy, wife of Jacob Mallow. this home later goes to their son, Olin Mallow.
On December 8th, 1884, Isaac T. Miller and family arrived by train in Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana, according to what he wrote in his pocket book which was in the possession of his granddaughter, Florence Miller Brown of Winchester, Indiana 1997. Isaac moves his family on to 1 acre of land in section 14 of White River Township, Randolph Co. on the old Goodrich pike just north of the railroad tracks. The home was the first home north of the tracks on the west side of what is now 375W. According to land deed records, it appears that Isaac and Fidellia purchased the 1 acre plot from Elihu and Eliza Addington. The property is described as being in the south west quarter of section 14, township 20 north of range 13. According to the land deed Isaac paid sixty five dollars for the property. Although Isaac and family arrived in December 1884 to Randolph Co, Isaac didn't purchased the land until February 18th 1888.
According to his granddaughter, Florence Brown Isaac use to have quarrels with a few of the old union soldiers who lived in the area. One in particular that she mentions is William B. Denton who was a member of the Indiana volunteers during the war. Mr. Denton had a general store that he ran in Mull, which is 300N and 500W intersection. Isaac would often go into the store just to "tangle" with Mr. Denton. Also Mildred Longerbone, another granddaughter of Isaac said that Isaac would go into town and where he would indulge in some drinking and would get into some trouble, and that his son Johnson would have to hitch up the wagon and go into town to bring him home. Florence also said of Isaac that he was quiet and didn't talk much. According to Florence, Isaac had a hand that was partially paralyzed from blood poisoning. This injury may have come from an injury that occurred during the civil war to his wrist. According to Harold Mowery, a descendant of Isaac's sister Malinda Mowery who is possession of a musket ball that is he said was sent to Malinda by Isaac durning the war. Harold stated that "Ike" as he was referred to in the Mowery family was struck in the wrist by the ball while getting up,off the ground. Isaac recovered the ball and sent it to Malinda. This would not be unusual, since Connie Cherry, another descendant of Malinda has the only known photo of Issac and another man taken during the civil war. The photo is a small tintype.
Concerning the death of Isaac, his death certificate states he was demented, wandered away from home and hit by a train. Isaac would often be founding sitting out on the railroad tracks and family members would find him and bring him home. He would tell them that he was waiting to go back to West Virginia. If Isaac was demented when he was struck by the train, maybe he was unaware of the fast approaching train. He also walked with a cane, so possibly he was unable to rise fast enough or fell when trying to get up.
Isaac also organize the first Miller reunion at his home on July 14, 1907. Attending was Isaac's children and grandchildren, also Job Miller's daughter Mary Jane, wife of Levi T. Shaver and their daughter, Bessie. Theses Reunions continued until the late 1960's
WINCHESTER, INDIANA
JULY 1998
HEADSTONE DEDICATION SERVICE
SATURDAY AT MAXVILLE
FOR CONFEDERATE SOLDIER
ANCESTOR OF AREA RESIDENT
Dennis Miller of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was doing research when he discovered that his great, great grandfather, Confederate Civil War Veteran, Isaac T. Miller, had moved to Randolph County from West Virginia in 1884.
Miller also learned his ancestor died in 1915 when he was hit by a train approximately two miles west of Winchester.
Dennis Miller also discovered that his ancestor is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Maxville, in a grave which is marked, but to this date had no headstone.
Miller was told a headstone could be furnished through a government agency known as the Veterans Memorial Program.
A new marker was ordered by Miller, which lists Isaac Miller's company, regiment and rank.
A dedication service for the simple upright, white marble marker will be held at 1 p.m. this Sunday at the cemetery.
The dedication will be performed by a group of descendants of Civil War soldiers, known as the Sons of Confederates.
The Farmland and Winchester American Legion posts will also be involved in the dedication service. The Reverend Robert Brown of Terre Haute will lead the dedication service.
Miller, through a distant cousin, Dewayne Borror, of Franklin, West Virginia, obtained a sample of soil from Isaac Miller's West Virginia homestead, which will be sprinkled on the grave.
Florence Miller Brown of near Winchester, who is Isaac Miller's granddaughter, is the soldier's closest living relative.
Thursday, July 22, 1915
Winchester, Indiana
ISAAC MILLER KILLED BY TRAIN
Big Four Passenger Runs Down Aged Man Sunday
West of City-Horribly Mangled
Isaac Miller, aged seventy-six, a confederate soldier and well known Randolph county resident, was struck and instantly killed by the west bound Big Four passenger train No. 419 at 1:40 o'clock Sunday afternoon, at a crossing three miles west of the city. His body was mangled beyond recognition. It was taken to the Frank and Pursley undertaking parlors and prepared for burial. The train was running at an estimated rate of fifty miles an hour when it struck Miller. It ran a distance of three hundred yards before being brought to a stop and Miller's mangled body was dragged an estimated distance of two hundred yards. The train was delayed twenty minutes. Miller left home a quarter of a mile away from where the accident occurred shortly after eating his noon day meal. It is said he was in a despondent mood during the morning hours, although it is understood that he made no threats on his life. In leaving his home he followed a short path through the fields to the railroad tracks. he was accompanied by the family dog- a pet, which had remained at his side for years. Upon reaching the railroad tracks, Miller sat down on the rails. He was seated on the south rail and was facing the south, when the train approached. The dog was at his side and he was petting it. A warning, it is said, was sounded by the train and just before the engine reached him, Miller turned his face and looked towards it. Miller then fell back across the tracks. Miller's body was severed at his hips and was horribly mangled. The dog was also killed. Its feet were found lying beside a portion of the man's body. He is survived by a widow, Margaret Miller, five sons, three daughters. The funeral services were held Tuesday morning at the Maxville church with interment at Woodlawn cemetery nearby.
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Isaac Miller, lacking 4 days of being 76 years of age, was killed by the fast West bound Big Four passenger train West of the city Sunday afternoon. Coroner Evans was called and has returned a verdict of accidental death. The engineer of the train testified that when he saw Miller sitting on the South rail with his feet on the outside, he whistled; Miller looked up at the fast approaching train and laid or fell over into the space between the rails. The engineer believes it was suicide, but the Coroner concluded that possibly, Mr. Miller attempted to raise but failed in the effort. The body was frightfully mangled as was the body of his pet dog which was with him at the time of the tragedy. The mangled remains were brought to the undertaking parlor of Frank & Pursley in their ambulance and dressed. Funeral services were held yesterday by Rev. Harvey Thornburg and interment at Maxville. A widow, five sons and three daughters survive. The deceased came several years ago from Virginia where he served in the Confederate army and settled a short distance North of the Big Four on the road known as the Goodrich pike where he has continuously made his home an it was near this home that he met death.
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Obituary
Isaac T. Miller
Isaac T. Miller was born July 22, 1839 in Pendleton county, West Virginia; moved to this county thirty one years ago; departed this life July 18, 1915, aged 75 years 11 months and 26 days. He was married to Amelia Cowger 27th of July 1862; to this union was born one son, Johnson Miller. The mother departed this life June 24, (13) 1863. He was married to Fidella Roadcap January 29, 1865; to this union were born five sons three daughters. Charles E. having departed this life November 23, 1893; the children who survive him are William H. , Stephen P., Martha S., James H., Rebecca L., Mary E., Robert L.
Father Miller was a kind husband and was always ready to lend a helping hand in sickness. He has said he was ready to die when the Lord called him. Text: John the 14th 1 to 15.
Funeral services were held at Maxville Tuesday morning at 11 o'clock, July 27, 1915 conducted by Rev. N.H. Thornburg, assisted by Rev. Abraham Rust. Interment at that place.
The connection return their sincere thanks to those who responded so nobly---neighbors and friends in the loss of our dear father.
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Isaac T. Miller was born and raised just east of Upper Tract on Kline road, now known as Schmucker road. He was of predominantly German ancestry. The original Millers to the area owned land on the east side of a branch of the Potomac river on the south side of Schmucker road. The Millers are first recorded purchasing property in this area as early as the 1790s when the German immigrant John Miller Sr. great grandfather of Isaac, bought land at the headwaters of Mill Run where it's connects to the South branch of the Potomac. Isaac was baptized in the Mallow German Reformed Church, Kline, Pendleton Co. August 30, 1839. Family lore claims that Isaac's mother Susannah (Hedrick) Miller was part Native American. No evidence has ever been found to prove this information.
With the onset of the war in 1861, Pendleton county became a divided county. The union army that occupied the Pendleton region were known for their harsh treatment of the residents of the county, raiding farms for food, fresh horses or whatever was needed. Anyone who did not comply would be considered to be supporting the Southern cause and on occasion have the their homes burned and the men taken out and shot. There was no escape, and no neutral ground, resident had to declare their allegiance to either the North or the South. Isaac, and his two brothers, Amos and Job Miller, declared their allegiance to their home state of Virginia in November 1861 when they enlisted in the 46th Virginia Militia. Isaac was a 2nd Corporal and his two brother Privates in Company C. That same month, the 46th was ordered by General Stonewall Jackson to Winchester, Virginia, to assist Jackson's Winter Campaign at Romney. Shortly after this, the 46th disbanded in April, 1862. On June 1 1862, Isaac enlisted in the 1st Virginia Regiment Partisan Rangers Company F. Isaac was a Private in this regiment, which in December 1862, under General John D. Imboden, would become the 18th Virginia Cavalry Company A. Most of its members had served in the 1st Regiment Virginia Partisan Rangers (subsequently the 62nd Regiment Virginia Infantry).
Isaac official military records state;
Isaac T. Miller
Private in company A. Enlisted 6/1/61-62 in Pendleton county,
West Virginia. Captured 12/20/62 in Pendleton, County W.
Virginia while on furlough. Sent to Camp Chase,Ohio 12/30/62.
Forwarded to City Point, VA. for exchange 3/28/63.Paroled
5/11/65 at Winchester,VA. His description is; light complexion, light hair, blue eyes, 5'8".
On the 27th of July, 1862, Isaac married Amelia Susan Cowger of Ft. Seybert, Pendleton County. On December 20th, 1862, while home on furlough to visit his pregnant wife, Isaac was captured and arrested by a Captain Scuters. On December 30th, 1862, Isaac was sent to Camp Chase, Ohio. On March 28th, 1863, Isaac was forwarded to City Point, Virginia for exchange. Tragedy occurred on June 13th, 1863, when Amelia died while traveling by horseback in the mountains. On January 12th 1865, Isaac married Fidelliah Margaret Roadcap, also of Ft. Seybert area. On May 11th 1865, Isaac was paroled at Winchester, Virginia.
During the war, the 18th Virginia Cavalry was engaged at the battles of, Jones-Imboden West Virginia Raid, Gettysburg, Piedmont, Waynesboro, Williamsport, New Market, Lynchburg Campaign, Monocacy, 3rd Winchester, Fisher's Hill, Cedar Creek, and countless other engagements and skirmishes.
One of the 18th Virginia Cavalry's largest roles came when they were called to escort the Confederate army from Gettysburg back to Virginia. Imboden's brigade was met with hard fighting from civilians and Union forces as the lead. July 4th, day after the battle of Gettysburg and the beginning of the retreat, a heavy rainstorm began that General Imboden compared to the windows of Heaven opening. Excerpts from the writings of Brig. General John Imboden C.S.A. (1887) in his account of the retreat from Gettysburg.
"During the Gettysburg campaign, my command an independent brigade of cavalry was engaged, by General Lee's confidential orders, in raids on the left flank of his advancing army, destroying railroad bridges and cutting the canal below Cumberland wherever I could so that I did not reach the field till noon of the last day's battle. I reported direct to General Lee for orders, and was assigned a position to aid in repelling any cavalry demonstration on his rear. None of a serious character being made, my little force took no part in the battle, but was merely spectators of the scene, which transcended in grandeur any that I beheld in any other battle of the war."
"About 4 P. M. the head of the column was put in motion near Cashtown, and began the ascent of the mountain in the direction of Chambersburg. I remained at Cashtown giving directions and putting in detachments of guns and troops at what I estimated to be intervals of a quarter or a third of a mile. It was found from the position of the head of the column west of the mountain at dawn of the 5th, the hour at which Young's cavalry and Hart's battery began tile assent of the mountain near Cashtown, that the entire column was seventeen miles long when drawn out on the road and put in motion. As an advance guard I had placed the 18th Virginia Cavalry, Colonel George W. Imboden in front with a section of MeClanahan's battery."
"No help could be rendered to any of the sufferers. No heed could be given to any of their appeals. Mercy and duty to the many forbade the loss of a moment in the vain effort then and there to comply with the prayers of the few. On! On! We must move on. The storm continued, and the darkness was appalling. There was no time even to fill a canteen with water for a dying man; for, except the drivers and the guards, all were wounded and utterly helpless in that vast procession of misery. During this one night I realized inure of the horrors of war than I had in all the two preceding years."
"And yet in the darkness was our safety, for no enemy would dare attack where he could not distinguish friend from foe. We knew that when day broke upon us we should be harassed by bands of cavalry hanging on our flanks. Therefore our aim was to go as far as possible under cover of the night. Instead of going through Chambersburg, I decided to leave the main road near Fairfield after crossing the mountains, and take "a near cut across the country to Greencastle, where daybreak on the morning of the 5th of July found the head of our column. We were now twelve or fifteen miles from the Potomac at Williamsport, our point of crossing into Virginia."
"Here our apprehended troubles began. After the advance of the 18th Virginia Cavalry had passed perhaps a mile beyond the town, the citizens to the number of thirty or forty attacked the train with axes, cutting the spokes out of ten or a dozen wheels and dropping the wagons in the streets. The moment I heard of it I sent back a detachment of cavalry to capture every citizen who had been engaged in this work, and treat them as prisoners of war. This stopped the trouble there, but the Union cavalry began to swarm down upon us from the fields and crossroads, making their attacks in small bodies, and striking the column where there were few or no guards, and thus creating great confusion. I had a narrow escape from capture by one of these parties of perhaps fifty men that I tried to drive off with canister from two of MeClanahan's guns that were close at hand. They would perhaps have been too much for me; had not Colonel Imboden, hearing the firing turned back with his regiment at a gallop, and by the suddenness of his movement surrounded and caught the entire party."
"The enemy appeared in our front about half-past one o'clock on both the Hagerstown, and Boonsboro' roads, and the fight began. Every man under my command understood that if we did not repulse the enemy we should all be captured and General Lee's army be ruined by the loss of its transportation, which at that period could not have been replaced in the Confederacy. The fight began with artillery on both sides. The firing from our side was very rapid, and seemed to make the enemy hesitate about advancing."
"I moved the 18th Virginia Cavalry and 62d Virginia Mounted Infantry rapidly to the right, to meet and repel five advancing regiments (dismounted) of the enemy. My three regiments, with Captain John H. McNeill's Partisan Rangers and Aylett's Wagoner's, had to sustain a very severe contest. Hart, seeing how hard we were pressed on the right, charged the enemy's right with his little command, and at the same time Eshleman with his eight Napoleons advanced four hundred yards to the front, and got an enfilading position, from which, with the aid of McClanahan's battery, he poured a furious fire into the enemy's line. The 62d and Aylett, supported by the 18th Cavalry, and McNeill, charged the enemy who fell back sullenly to their horses.
Night was now rapidly approaching, when a messenger from Fitzhugh Lee arrived to urge me to "hold my own," as he would be up in a half hour with three thousand fresh men. The news was sent along our whole line, and was received with a wild and exultant yell. We knew then that the field was won, and slowly pressed forward. Almost at the same moment we heard distant guns on the enemy's rear and right on the Hagerstown road. They were Stuart's, who was approaching on that road, while Fitzhugh Lee was coming on the Greencastle road. That settled the contest. The enemy broke to the left and fled."
Excerpts from
The Retreat from Gettysburg
By Brig. General John Imboden C.S.A. (1887)
The History of Pendleton Co West Virginia which was published by Oren F. Morton in 1910 states that the 18th Virginia Cavalry served chiefly in the Shenandoah Valley, with an occasional movement beyond the Blue Ridge and Alleghenies. That they were involved in three actions at Winchester and two at Kernstown. According to Morton, its most severe engagement was at Piedmont. Morton states that the men of the 18th Virginia provided by Pendleton County were of sterling quality and saw hard fighting.
During General Sheridan's Valley campaign the 18th was almost under continued fire for six weeks. The 18th also saw a great deal of action at New Market, where a day or two before the battle it captured a force of Federal Cavalry that had been driven into a cove of Massanutten Mountain.
After the war, Isaac returned to his home in Upper Tract, and raised a family there until December 1884. According to a Land Deed dated the 29th of November 1884 Isaac and his wife Fidellah sold their property to George A. Judy, 197 acres lying at the Upper Tract on the east side of the South Branch adjoining lands of Rev. George Schmucker, John H. Miller, Isaac T. Kile, and the said George A. Judy. The selling price was nine hundred dollars. This land was conveyed to Isaac T Miller on March 22 1873 by John H. Miller, his nephew and his brother Job Miller, for one dollar. This land is part of a 430 acre tract of land granted by the Commonwealth of Virginia to Isaac's father, John T. Miller on the 30th day of June 1845. And in John T Miller's will dated 1859, the property was to be divided between Amos, Job and Isaac Miller after the death of the their mother, Susannah. In the March 22 1873 deed it mentions that on the 1st of April 1871 Amos Miller conveyed all his interest in the land to his son John H. Miller for the consideration of one dollar. the 1871 deed also mentions that the land is still in the possession of the mother, Susannah Miller, but she had given the said parties the land entitled to them at her death and that the parties had agreed between themselves to makes divisions of the said land and had the divisions surveyed. The home that Isaac Miller sells to George A. Judy is added on to and later sold to his daughter Virginia (Jennie) Judy, wife of Jacob Mallow. this home later goes to their son, Olin Mallow.
On December 8th, 1884, Isaac T. Miller and family arrived by train in Winchester, Randolph County, Indiana, according to what he wrote in his pocket book which was in the possession of his granddaughter, Florence Miller Brown of Winchester, Indiana 1997. Isaac moves his family on to 1 acre of land in section 14 of White River Township, Randolph Co. on the old Goodrich pike just north of the railroad tracks. The home was the first home north of the tracks on the west side of what is now 375W. According to land deed records, it appears that Isaac and Fidellia purchased the 1 acre plot from Elihu and Eliza Addington. The property is described as being in the south west quarter of section 14, township 20 north of range 13. According to the land deed Isaac paid sixty five dollars for the property. Although Isaac and family arrived in December 1884 to Randolph Co, Isaac didn't purchased the land until February 18th 1888.
According to his granddaughter, Florence Brown Isaac use to have quarrels with a few of the old union soldiers who lived in the area. One in particular that she mentions is William B. Denton who was a member of the Indiana volunteers during the war. Mr. Denton had a general store that he ran in Mull, which is 300N and 500W intersection. Isaac would often go into the store just to "tangle" with Mr. Denton. Also Mildred Longerbone, another granddaughter of Isaac said that Isaac would go into town and where he would indulge in some drinking and would get into some trouble, and that his son Johnson would have to hitch up the wagon and go into town to bring him home. Florence also said of Isaac that he was quiet and didn't talk much. According to Florence, Isaac had a hand that was partially paralyzed from blood poisoning. This injury may have come from an injury that occurred during the civil war to his wrist. According to Harold Mowery, a descendant of Isaac's sister Malinda Mowery who is possession of a musket ball that is he said was sent to Malinda by Isaac durning the war. Harold stated that "Ike" as he was referred to in the Mowery family was struck in the wrist by the ball while getting up,off the ground. Isaac recovered the ball and sent it to Malinda. This would not be unusual, since Connie Cherry, another descendant of Malinda has the only known photo of Issac and another man taken during the civil war. The photo is a small tintype.
Concerning the death of Isaac, his death certificate states he was demented, wandered away from home and hit by a train. Isaac would often be founding sitting out on the railroad tracks and family members would find him and bring him home. He would tell them that he was waiting to go back to West Virginia. If Isaac was demented when he was struck by the train, maybe he was unaware of the fast approaching train. He also walked with a cane, so possibly he was unable to rise fast enough or fell when trying to get up.
Isaac also organize the first Miller reunion at his home on July 14, 1907. Attending was Isaac's children and grandchildren, also Job Miller's daughter Mary Jane, wife of Levi T. Shaver and their daughter, Bessie. Theses Reunions continued until the late 1960's
WINCHESTER, INDIANA
JULY 1998
HEADSTONE DEDICATION SERVICE
SATURDAY AT MAXVILLE
FOR CONFEDERATE SOLDIER
ANCESTOR OF AREA RESIDENT
Dennis Miller of Grand Rapids, Michigan, was doing research when he discovered that his great, great grandfather, Confederate Civil War Veteran, Isaac T. Miller, had moved to Randolph County from West Virginia in 1884.
Miller also learned his ancestor died in 1915 when he was hit by a train approximately two miles west of Winchester.
Dennis Miller also discovered that his ancestor is buried in Woodlawn Cemetery, Maxville, in a grave which is marked, but to this date had no headstone.
Miller was told a headstone could be furnished through a government agency known as the Veterans Memorial Program.
A new marker was ordered by Miller, which lists Isaac Miller's company, regiment and rank.
A dedication service for the simple upright, white marble marker will be held at 1 p.m. this Sunday at the cemetery.
The dedication will be performed by a group of descendants of Civil War soldiers, known as the Sons of Confederates.
The Farmland and Winchester American Legion posts will also be involved in the dedication service. The Reverend Robert Brown of Terre Haute will lead the dedication service.
Miller, through a distant cousin, Dewayne Borror, of Franklin, West Virginia, obtained a sample of soil from Isaac Miller's West Virginia homestead, which will be sprinkled on the grave.
Florence Miller Brown of near Winchester, who is Isaac Miller's granddaughter, is the soldier's closest living relative.
Inscription
PVT.
Isaac T. Miller
Co. A
18 VA CAV
CSA
Gravesite Details
Military stone placed on grave July 18, 1998 with Sons of Confederate Veterans conducting a dedication.
Family Members
Siblings
Children
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Johnson Taylor Miller
1863–1934
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William Harness Miller
1866–1940
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Stephen Perry Miller
1868–1926
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Charles Ed Miller
1871–1893
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Isaac Newton Mowery
1872–1950
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Martha Susan Miller Ullom Miller
1873–1949
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James Harry Miller
1875–1941
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Rebecca Lough Miller Miller
1877–1957
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Mary Emma Miller Lee
1883–1968
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Robert Lee Miller
1887–1950
