New-York tribune., 1881-07-19
SENATOR MILLER'S POPULARITY.


ALL HIS NEIGHBORs IRRESPECTIVE OF PARTY, RE-
JoICE AT HIS sUCCEss-THE STORY THAT He
WAS DEsERTER COMPLETELY REFUTED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRrDuNE
ALBANY July 1S.--SenatoI-elect Miller returned
to this city tonight and began an active can
to secure the election of Mr. Lapham
Mr.. Millers friends state that his reception
at his home at Hcrkmcr on returning from
Albany Saturday night was the most cordial
greeting extended to public man in that
vicinity. All party feeling for the moment for
gotten, Republicans and Democrats uniting in con-
gratulations to the Scnator-elcct. MIR. Micis
father is still living, strong man Of eighty
years. Some one said to him: L" Don't you feel it
a great honor to have had elected United States
Senator :" Mr.. Miller replied with a smile can
tell better at the end of his tern.'
Soon after the selection as u candidate for Scna-
tor of Mr. Miller 10y the Republican caucus on July
10, there began to appear in several ofthc Stawar
organs personal attacks upon him. The chief of
this attempt to injure the Scnaorccct a charge
that he was descrter from the army Mr.. Miller
declined to say anything about this charge TIL after
his election as Senator. Tonight he frankly related
all the circumstances of his connection with the
army. He stated that in December Il SCI he enlisted
as private in Company !. 9th New-York Cavalry
and served i'll the Shenandoah Valley with the army
of General Banks Stoncwal Jackson during one
of his raids, defeated Banks at Winchester Mr.
Miller who was sick in the hospital at Winchester
with typhoid fever was captured by the Rebels and
held prisoner for several days Upon the ad-
vance of General Frenont's army the Rebels
parolcd Mr.. Miller and several other sick
prisoners, and retreacd. If he had
not been unwell, Mr.. Miller would Iavc been
taken to Richmond. This was in May 1852. Upon
his recovery from sickness, MrMiller went to Wash
ington and reported to the War Department a
paroled man. At that time the Government
refused to exchange prisoners. After remaining
in Washington some time the Secretary of War
issued order that all paroled men should be dis
charged if they would consent. As there was no
prospect of his being exchanged or of doing any,
thing, MIR. Miller accepted his discharge and went
home. His discharge paper eicctualy disposes of
the accusation that he dcserter. 1t is as fol-
lows
To all tchoni IL nay concern:
Know ye that Warner Miller, Sergeant Major of Cap
airy: who was enrolled on the 2ist day OF December,
to - erEe rye Three hfr9y dschaIged from The
at Washington by reason OF being parole by ION
aetcd is Known ur TO cx sSd wappcT to hn being
born IN Oswcgo III the state Of Now York; is twenty
pexIon blue eyes, brown hair and 10y occSpatiom when
enrolled teacher Given AZ Washington this 7th day
OF June, lSG2. BY command General Wadsworth
j. MAGRuDrR, 4. A. A. G.
Upon the back of The Discharge paper is written
the following Endorsement showing that Mr. Miller
paid off as a soldier: Paid. Major H. G. Pratc
Paymaster United States Army"
Six months later Mr. Miller decided to enter the
service again possible. He procured the following
letter from his captain:
WASHISGTON, December o, 1SCo.
To HIS E1eeileacy The Goreraor of Ne'o- YORK.
SIR have the honor 10 bring to your fovoraIlc
notice, Sergeant Major Miller late Of the 5th New
York Cavalry who served with the regiment undcr
General Banks until attacked by sickness We
were forced to leave him in The hands of Rebels
Miller acted az First Lieutenant in my company INV
Lieutenant being sick, and exhibited naurnl address
for military nursus and most thorough knowledge of
the three books of United states cavalry tactics Know
ing his ca aciy to be great respectfully rcconnc nd
that be receive an appointment in organized regi
inent, ana know that nc Will do honor to the cause
GEORGE IL. BENNETT,
Late Captain Company ], 5th Ncw-York Cavalry
After obtaining this letter he unable to learn
when exchanges of prisoners would be made and he
would be permitted to do service on the battlefield
As paroled prisoner he shut off from all active
duty. lie accordingly, upon finding the Govern
mcnt still disncned to exchange prisoners with tho
rebels entered business life