James Lewis Miller Was the Third Child of Ashley H. and Jane Miller. He Was Born Nov 23

James Lewis Miller was the third child of Ashley H. and Jane Miller. He was born Nov 23, 1842, at Millers Ferry, in Washington County, Florida. As a boy, James attended school and worked alongside his father's ten slaves on the family farm until mid-1861. James' father, grandfather, uncles and cousins served in the Florida Indian Wars of the late 1830's and early 1840's. So when the call for men came in 1861, it was only natural that James answered. In July 1861, the "Washington County Invincibles" were mustered into service in Vernon, Florida, as Co H, 4th Florida Infantry. James, with his older brother John (4th Sgt), and uncles Levi N. Miller (1sg), and Lewis H. Miller (Pvt.) went with Co H to St Marks, Fl, for training. Co H left St. Marks, 5Nov 61 for the defense of Fernandina, Fl. In March of 1862, Fernandina was evacuated and Co H was sent to Jacksonville, then to Mobile. The company lost nearly 20 men to disease during this time.

By the end of July 1862, the 4th Fl was in Chattanooga Tn. In December 1862 the 4th Fl was in General Preston's Brigade, General Breckenridge's Division, in the Army of Tennessee under General Braxton Bragg. The 4th Fl fought in the battle of Murfreesboro 31 December 1862 to 2 January 1863, where they lost nearly half of their men. Among those killed were James's uncle 1Sg Levi Nathaniel Miller.

In May of 1863, General Breckinridge's division became part of the Department of the West and was sent to Jackson, Mississippi. The 4th Florida was brigaded under General Marcellus A. Stovall. General Stovall detailed James to teamster duty. James' brother, John, also served as a teamster until he was wounded at Chickamauga, 20 September, 1863. James was engaged in the battles of Jackson, Chickamauga, Missionary Ridge, Dalton and the Atlanta Campaign. Unfortunately, James was captured May 27, 1864 near Dallas Ga. Union records show James as a Corporal. During this time the 4th Florida was part of General Jesse Finley's Brigade.

After his capture, James was sent to Nashville, TN then to Louisville, Kentucky and then on to the infamous Rock Island Prison. Rock Island is an island in the Mississippi River, between Illinois and Iowa. James arrived at the Rock in Mid-June 1864. The timing of his arrival could be considered a blessing, since by then the smallpox had been contained. Another mixed blessing was that other soldiers from Washington County were there. James survived overcrowding, malnutrition, exposure and trigger-happy guards (USCT) while there. James never took the oath, and was sent to New Orleans in May 1865. He was finally exchanged 23 May, 1865.

After the war, James returned to "Holmes Valley" in Washington County and resumed farming. He also served as Justice of the Peace for the Eighth District in Washington County. James married Mary A. Lassiter in 1870 and they had six children. Mary died suddenly in July 1889. James married again in Dec 1889 to Frances Leona Miller. James and Frances produced six more children.

James applied for and received a Confederate Pension (A12831). Doctors' statements in his application file state that James "suffered from chronic dysentery, rheumatism, catarrh, contracted while in service, resulting in 2/3 disability to perform manual labor." In his personal statement James cited these and other ailments, and wrote "I contracted .... while a prisoner at Rock Island, Ill.... I believe was caused from poor diet, exposure, and hard service."

James Lewis Miller received one pension payment of $72.00 in September 1900. He went to be with the Lord on Nov 3, 1900. His widow, Frances, applied for and received his pension in 1907 (A00749) James has a headstone and Veterans lawn marker at Live Oak Cemetery, near Millers Ferry in Washington County, Florida. James Lewis Miller is the ancestor of Camp Member Kelly V. Crocker. Return to top of page