Marcus P. Miller facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Marcus P. Miller
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Munsey's Magazine, April 1899
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| Born | March 27, 1835 Stockbridge, Massachusetts, US |
| Died | December 11, 1906 (aged 71) Fort Barrancas, Florida, US |
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1858–1899 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | U.S. Army Field Artillery Branch |
| Commands held | Battery G, 4th Artillery Fort Columbus 1st Artillery Regiment Fort Hamilton St. Francis Barracks 3rd Field Artillery Regiment Fort McDowell Coast Artillery Defenses of San Francisco Bay 1st Brigade, Eighth Army Corps Independent Division, Eighth Army Corps Military District of Panay, Negros, Cebu, and Leyte |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War American Indian Wars Spanish–American War Philippine–American War |
| Spouse(s) | Katherine Sprague Haskin (m. 1863–1906, his death) |
| Children | 5 |
| Relations | Joseph A. Haskin (father in law) Colden Ruggles (son in law) |
Marcus P. Miller (born March 27, 1835 – died December 11, 1906) was an important officer in the United States Army. He served from 1858 to 1899. He was a veteran of the American Civil War, fighting for the Union Army. He also served in the American Indian Wars, the Spanish–American War, and the Philippine–American War. Miller became a brigadier general. He was praised for his bravery in many battles.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Marcus Peter Miller was born in Stockbridge, Massachusetts, on March 27, 1835. He went to Williams Academy in Stockbridge.
In 1854, he started at the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point. He graduated in 1858, ranking eighth in his class. After graduating, he became a second lieutenant in the Artillery branch.
Starting His Military Career
From 1858 to 1860, Miller trained at the Artillery School in Fort Monroe, Virginia. In 1859, he officially became a second lieutenant. He joined the 4th Artillery Regiment. In 1860, he helped lead new soldiers to their posts in Utah Territory. He then served at Fort Crittenden, Utah, until 1861.
Serving in the Civil War
In May 1861, Miller was promoted to first lieutenant. He helped defend Washington, D.C. from October 1861 to March 1862. He was also a quartermaster and adjutant for his regiment.
Key Battles and Promotions
Miller was part of the Peninsula campaign in 1862. He was an officer for the Army of the Potomac's artillery. On July 1, 1862, he fought in the Battle of Malvern Hill. For his bravery, he was promoted to brevet captain.
He commanded Battery G, 4th Artillery from September to November 1862. He led his battery in the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862. He also commanded during the Battle of Fredericksburg in December 1862 and the Second Battle of Fredericksburg in May 1863.
From May to June 1863, Miller was stationed at Fort Washington, Maryland. He was promoted to captain on March 11, 1864.
End of the War
Miller commanded a battery in Kernstown, Virginia, from November 1864 to February 1865. He then joined General Philip Sheridan's movements in the Shenandoah Valley. He took part in the Appomattox campaign. This included battles like Battle of Dinwiddie Court House and Battle of Sailor's Creek. He was present when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered at Battle of Appomattox Court House on April 9, 1865.
After the war, Miller was recognized for his service. He was promoted to brevet Major on March 13, 1865. This was for his excellent service from Winchester to Richmond, Virginia. He was also promoted to brevet lieutenant colonel on March 31, 1865. This was for his brave actions at Dinwiddie Court House.
After the Civil War
After the Civil War, Miller continued to serve with his regiment. He was stationed in Washington, D.C., and at Fort McHenry, Maryland. He also served in Charleston, West Virginia.
American Indian Wars Service
From 1872 to 1877, Miller was on duty at Fort Stevens, Oregon. He took part in the Modoc War from 1872 to 1873. He commanded an artillery battalion during the Nez Perce War in 1877. He also served at the Presidio of San Francisco. From June to September 1878, he was involved in the Bannock War.
Teaching and Promotions
From 1879 to 1881, Miller was at the Artillery School in Fort Monroe, Virginia. From 1881 to 1884, he taught artillery tactics at the United States Military Academy. He was promoted to Major in the 5th Artillery Regiment on September 14, 1883.
Miller was stationed at Fort Hamilton, New York, from 1884 to 1886. He also served as an inspector for rifle practice. From 1889 to 1894, Miller was a superintendent at the Artillery School. He oversaw teaching in engineering and military strategy.
On February 27, 1890, Miller was promoted to brevet colonel. This was for his brave service during the Modoc War in 1873 and the Nez Perce War in 1877. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the 1st Artillery Regiment on October 10, 1894.
Spanish–American War Service
From 1894 to 1896, Miller commanded the 1st Artillery Regiment and Fort Hamilton, New York. He then moved with his regiment to St. Francis Barracks in Saint Augustine, Florida, where he also commanded the post. On April 30, 1897, Miller was promoted to colonel. He then took command of the 3rd Field Artillery Regiment and Fort McDowell, California.
Commanding in Wartime
When the Spanish–American War began in April 1898, Miller took charge of all the Coast Artillery forts. These forts protected San Francisco Bay. In May 1898, Miller was promoted to brigadier general of U.S. Volunteers. He commanded the 1st Brigade of the Eighth Army Corps. From July to November 1898, he commanded the Eighth Army Corps' Independent Division. He also commanded the soldiers at The Presidio of San Francisco.
Philippine–American War Service
From November to December 1898, Miller led the Independent Division of the Eighth Army Corps on its way to the Philippines. Once there, he became part of the Philippine–American War. He commanded the 1st Separate Brigade of the Eighth Army Corps. His brigade was ordered to take control of Iloilo city on Panay island. This was after Spanish troops left following the end of the Spanish–American War.
Filipino fighters took over Iloilo before Miller's troops arrived. In February 1899, Miller's brigade captured most of the city. On February 12, they captured the Jaro district of Iloilo. They successfully defended it against three attacks. In February 1899, Miller was promoted to brigadier general in the regular army. He commanded the 1st Separate Brigade and the military districts of Panay, Negros, Cebu, and Leyte. He stayed in these roles until he retired on March 27, 1899, at age 64.
Retirement and Legacy
After retiring, Miller lived in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. He passed away from heart disease on December 11, 1906, while visiting his son in Fort Barrancas, Florida. He was later buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Family Life
On November 5, 1863, Miller married Katherine Sprague Haskin. They had five children: Rebecca, Marcus, Mary, Lawrence, and Anne. His son, Marcus Lyon Miller, became a captain in the United States Navy. His daughter, Mary Appleton Miller, married General Colden Ruggles.
Lasting Recognition
A special plaque marks the location of Miller's Battery G, 4th Artillery Regiment, during the Battle of Antietam. This plaque is in Sharpsburg, Maryland.
In 1907, a gun emplacement called Battery Marcus Miller was named after him. This battery was part of the Coast Artillery defenses. It helped protect San Francisco Bay near the Golden Gate Bridge. Battery Marcus Miller was used until it was taken apart in 1920.
