John Lucas Miller facts for kids

John Lucas Miller, Jr. was born in 1831 in Ebenezer, South Carolina. He grew up to become a lawyer and a politician in South Carolina. During the American Civil War, he was a colonel in the Confederate States Army. Sadly, he was killed in battle on May 6, 1864, during the Battle of the Wilderness.

Miller's Family Background

John Lucas Miller, Jr. came from an important family. His father, also named John Lucas Miller, and his uncle, Stephen Decatur Miller, were involved in a big debate in South Carolina in the 1830s. His uncle, Stephen Decatur Miller, was a very important person. He served as the governor of South Carolina and later as a United States Senator.

John Lucas Miller, Jr. also had a famous cousin named Mary Boykin Chesnut. She was Stephen Decatur Miller's daughter. Mary Chesnut became well-known for the detailed diary she kept during the Civil War, which tells us a lot about that time.

Early Career as a Lawyer and Politician

John Lucas Miller, Jr. was a young man when he started his career. In 1853, when he was just 22 years old, he became a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. This was a big achievement for someone so young.

Miller was from York County, South Carolina. Before the Civil War began, he worked as a lawyer in Yorkville. Yorkville was the main town in York County, and he practiced law there for several years.

Service in the Civil War

When the Civil War started, John Lucas Miller, Jr. decided to join the army to fight for the Confederate States of America. He helped create a group of volunteer soldiers who would fight on foot.

He started as a captain in the Army of Northern Virginia. On September 17, 1862, during the Battle of Antietam (which was also called the Battle of Sharpsburg in the South), he led a special unit. Their job was to scout ahead and find out where the Union Army soldiers were located.

Promotion and New Command

After the Battle of Fredericksburg, Miller was promoted to the rank of colonel. This was a significant step up! He was then given command of the 12th South Carolina Infantry regiment. The previous commander had left, so Miller took over.

His new unit was part of a larger group led by Colonel Abner Monroe Perrin. This group was part of a division commanded by General William Dorsey Pender. Colonel Miller first led the 12th South Carolina Infantry in the Battle of Chancellorsville. This battle was a big victory for the Confederate side. After the battle, Miller was given an important task: he had to march 2,000 Union prisoners to Richmond, Virginia. He did a great job, and not a single prisoner escaped during the long march.

Gettysburg and Retreat

In July 1863, General Pender was killed during the Battle of Gettysburg. This was a major battle and a defeat for the Confederates. Even though 20 men from his regiment were killed at Gettysburg, Colonel Miller survived the fighting. He then helped organize the Confederate army's retreat.

In the days that followed, as the army pulled back from Gettysburg, Miller's 12th Regiment faced more fighting. They lost another 18 men during the Battles of Hagerstown and Falling Water.

Death at the Battle of the Wilderness

Colonel John Lucas Miller, Jr. was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness. This battle took place on May 5, 1864. He was seriously wounded by a bullet and died in a field hospital before the next morning. Fifteen other men from his regiment also died in this battle.

People who knew him said that he was a brave and honest leader. He earned the respect of both the officers and the soldiers he commanded. He was also known for being friendly and polite, which helped him make many friends.