Levi Miller (Virginia soldier) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Levi Miller
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| Born | January 9, 1836 |
| Died | February 25, 1921 (aged 85) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | farmer, preacher |
| Children | George Miller (1889-unknown) |
| Parent(s) | Mother Hannah Miller (1816-unknown); Father Samuel Miller (1816-unknown) |
Levi Miller (born January 9, 1836 – died February 25, 1921) was an American preacher and farmer from Virginia. He lived during the time of the American Civil War. During the war, Levi worked as a personal helper for a Confederate Army captain. Some records suggest he might have become a soldier himself after a major battle in 1864. Levi Miller's story is often shared as an example of an African American who served with the Confederate Army.
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Early Life and Family
Levi Miller was born on January 9, 1836, in Rockbridge County, Virginia. He was born into slavery, meaning he was forced to work without pay or freedom. His birthplace was near Hayes Creek and Brownsburg. Levi's family background was a mix of European, African, and Native American heritage. His parents, Hannah and Samuel Miller, were also enslaved.
When Levi was born, he was owned by Anne Maria McChesney McBride. She was the widow of Colonel Isaiah McBride. Levi was known for being very religious and a talented speaker. He started preaching to other enslaved people in his area. Levi had several brothers and sisters who also lived in Rockbridge County. These included George Miller and Samuel "Johnson" Miller.
Serving in the Civil War
When the American Civil War began in 1861, Levi Miller was owned by Robert McBride. Robert was Anne's son. In September 1861, Robert's brother, Captain John J. McBride, asked for Levi to be his personal helper. Captain McBride was part of the Fifth Texas Infantry Regiment in the Confederate Army.
Helping Captain McBride
In August 1862, Captain McBride was hurt during the Second Battle of Bull Run. Levi stayed with him in the hospital until he got better. After McBride recovered, Levi was with him at the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862. He also joined him during the Suffolk Campaign the next spring.
Levi was with Captain McBride when General Robert E. Lee led the Confederate Army into Pennsylvania. This was during the Gettysburg Campaign. While in Pennsylvania, people in the northern state, where slavery was no longer allowed, encouraged Levi to leave. However, Levi stayed with the Fifth Texas regiment.
Battles in the West
The Fifth Texas regiment, along with General James Longstreet's corps, was sent to Georgia and Tennessee. In these western areas, Levi was present at several important battles. He was at the Battle of Chickamauga. He also experienced the Chattanooga and Knoxville Campaigns through the winter of 1864.
A Soldier's Role?
In the spring of 1864, Longstreet's corps returned to Virginia to rejoin General Lee. Captain McBride and Levi went back to their regiment. During the Battle of the Wilderness, Captain McBride was badly hurt. He broke both his legs and was thought to be dying. This happened on May 6, 1864.
Levi did not hear about McBride's injuries right away. He was with the wagon train and found out when he reached Spottsylvania Court House on May 8. On May 10, during the Battle of Spottsylvania Court House, Levi was bringing food to McBride's company. He had to run across an open field while Union sharpshooters were firing. He was told not to cross the field again during the day. Instead, he was told to care for the injured McBride.
Later that afternoon, Union forces looked like they were going to attack. Levi asked for a gun and bullets. He stood by Captain Anderson during the attack. There was even hand-to-hand fighting when the Union soldiers reached the Confederate defenses.
After this fight, another soldier suggested that Levi be made a full member of the company. With the support of the other soldiers, Captain Anderson officially added Levi to the group. That evening, Levi went back to Captain McBride. McBride had been taken to a hospital in Charlottesville, Virginia. Levi stayed with him there until October 1865. Even though McBride was not expected to live, he survived until 1880. Captain Anderson later said that McBride "owed his life to Levi Miller's good nursing."
Life After the War
After the war, Captain Anderson tried to help Levi get a soldier's pension. A pension is money paid regularly to someone who has served in the military. Anderson said he had official lists that showed Levi's service. However, as of 2013, researchers have not found Levi Miller's name on any official Confederate military lists. This means his service might not have been officially recognized, as enslaved people were generally not allowed to join the army as soldiers.
Later Years and Family
Levi Miller attended the 1913 reunion of the Battle of Gettysburg. At that time, there was a lot of racial tension. While some black newspapers mentioned Levi's unique story, they did not often mention the many black Union veterans who also attended. This has led some people to mistakenly believe that Levi was the only black soldier present at the reunion.
Later in his life, Levi lived in Frederick County, Virginia. He worked at mineral springs resorts like Capon Springs, Virginia and Rock Enon Springs, Virginia. He would serve water to tourists. He also bought land in Opequon, Virginia and farmed an orchard.
In 1884, Levi married Sarah Jane Cunningham from Berkeley, West Virginia. They had at least one child, George Miller, born in 1889. However, their marriage ended by 1910. Levi was also a member of the Methodist church.
He passed away on February 25, 1921. Levi was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Lexington, Virginia, next to his brother Johnson "Samuel" Miller. According to Levi's wishes, his mother Hannah and stepfather William Kenney were also moved from Clearbrook and buried in Evergreen Cemetery.
Levi Miller's Legacy
The topic of black Confederate soldiers is often debated. Levi Miller's story is frequently at the center of this discussion. People often discuss whether he was officially a soldier and exactly what he did during the battles he was part of.
