Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1886-03-09


reputation Tor industry skill and integrity He
so impressed Judge John Curry of Benicia. n
distinguished jurist, with his ability that he
rendered him law partnership, which was i'm
mediately formed between them and a large
and lucrative business was built up. In 1886 he
was summoned to the East to comfort mis- aged
ana stricken mother. He then remained in
Indiana, and in 1860 was elected to the Senate
OF that Safe, Oliver P. Morton being then its
Governor. Willie filling his se4t in the Senate
ne was filled with fears for the safety of the
Union, and wrote to Chancellor Harrison of this
state, urging him TO aDioiate the people of this
coast with Union spirit, and predicting
that war must break out. In the fan of that
year his prediction verified by acts of seces-
sion. With the declaration of war one of the
first men upon whom the gallant Morton called
was John F. Miller. His response was instant.
50 endeared was Miller to Morton, by his patri-
otism and fidelity, that he ever afterwards adj
dressed him as my SON. He resigned his seat in
the state Senate and recruit ed the TWenty-ninth
Regiment Indiana Volunteers, Governor Morton
commissioning him as its Colonel. He had no
knowledge whatever of the arts of war nor the
use of arms but the latent spirit of the soldier
was in him. From the very first his regiment
was thrown into the hottest of fighting Early
in the struggle he was appointed military com
marder at Nashville. The Generals drew anon
his regiment until he had but q handful of men
left. and fortitying the city became necessity.
But il needed men to do the work He accord
lngly sent out forces to draw "A certain pro rata
OF slaves from every master in the vicinity and
thus secured 1000 working hands who threw up
the Iortlicatlons. The masters in fury of rage
protested against this seizure of their .'pr0p-
erty," and demanded pay for their services.
With flashing eyes and unmistakable tones
Colonel Miller replied: q" am going to build
Qualifications II these negroes are men
l have right to use them; if they
are property have the same right under the
articles of war to seize it as military neces-
sity. As TO pay for service, that should be given
but 1t shall go to those who do the work AS
Tor interfering with your institutions if they
come III conflict with duty to the Government,
m f.avf
ers appealed 10 Governor Andrew johnson and
President Lincoln, but without effect The ne
groes were never returned to slavery and this
was the first order and act of the war, whereby
slaves were seized and used in defense of the
Government, and was literally the first blow in
| a direction that soon became common. At the
paItie OF stone River, near Murfresboro, Tenn,
colonel Miller commanded 3,gG0 men and was
| opposed by Colonel Breckenridge with 7O0O
| Being driven 10 Il corner utter rout seemed in
eyltabie Miller sprang to the front with up
lIted sword, and challenged the three regi-
| ments to follow him. With shout as OF one man
they dashed into the river in the midst of n ter
| rible fire. In the middle of the stream Miller
| was shot through the neck. He bound his hand
| kerohief over the wound and still led AT this
! instant an order came for him to retreat To
obey 1t he knew was death to the entire force
| he did not hesitate for an instant 20 refuse
obedience, but led his men up the banks aud
| against the Confederate human wall Then
came second order for him 10 retreat and n
| second time he disobeyed, responding only with
broke, and Miller charged up the hill upon the
double-quiek. he captured the batteries and
turned the guns against the fleeing enemy
Just then word came from the commanding
General to press the enemy" lie responded
have been doing that until have pressed
them out of sight" The Confederates left 900
killed upon the ground, and General Rosecrans
Immediately promoted Colonel miller upon the
field to the rank of Brigadier-General for heroic
conduct II is unnecessary to follow the dis
tlngalshed career OF General Miller through the
rx-la.
Major-General by breyet, and bearing as an
evidence of his personal bravery a second ter
rible wound which destroyed the sight of one
OF his eyes, and from which wound he suffered
pain and illness continually during the re-
mainder of his life During the entire war his
gallantry, personal bravery, and admirable
qualities as a commander, were the subject of
National remark. At the close of HOSTILE
Ties he returned to California and re-
slmed his residence in Napa county, but
resident Johnson immediately appointed him
collector OF the Port OF San Francisco, in which
capacity he served four years. His business ca
paclty drove him into several commercial en-
terprises. and he became President of the Alaska
commercial Company. After leaving the Gus
tom-house he was actively engaged in business
enterprises. at the same time retaining his
iondness for the practice of the law In 1878
ne ne was elected from the Second Congressional
District OF California as a delegate ut large to
the constitutional Convention of the State in
which body he ranked among such men as i p
W MG;ge, !. B. Mcfarland; s n. Wilson, }. W.
Edgefton, John S. Hager, Eugene Casserly. l. s
Belcher NJ. NJ. Estee, Volney L. Howard Chas
+. Reed J. Z. Hale W. II. l.. Barnes Walter
Van Dyke, and other men eminent in the
modern history OF California. He served with
ability in the Convention, and retired from 1t
with the unanimous respect of his constituency
IN January, 1881, he was elected to the United
States Senate from California, to succeed the
Hon. Newton Booth, receiving in the Joint CON
Nentlon majority vote of twenty. His term
would have expired i'll March. 1887. Concern
a nl 10
dwell, it being familiar to all our readers. At
the time of General Miller's election as Senator
tne REooRD. UNION said, concerning his charac-
ter and ability: Z" He is one of those men who
cannot be kept down by circumstances because
tnelr native energies lift them above them He
has achieved distinction in all the occupations
IN which he has been engaged, and has every
where exhibited that combination of talents
when Is necessary to success in any field of
human activity. He was good LAWYER a good
commander, a good Federal officer. good bust
ness man, and therefore we have every reason
10 Delleve that he will be a good United States
Senator. He has earned every stem
in his upward career by genuine industry and
sound judgment. He has not been lifted on the
wave of an ephemeral excitement He has NOT
nad an ideal reputation fabricated for him by
journalistic supporters. What he is he owes 10
ms own ability and persistence."]
SENATOR srANFoRD's ANNOUNCEMENT.
WASHINGTON, March Sth.-At 30 P. NJ.
Senator Stanford announced to the Senate
the death of his colleage, Mr.. Miller, of
California, and out of respect to his
memory moved an adjournment. The
motion was agreed to, and the Senate adj
journed.
IN THE HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, March sth.-Wben the
morning hour had expired, Mr.. Morrow, of
California, arose and said: The melancholy
duty devolves on me to announce the death
of Senator John F. Miller, of California,
who died in this city to-day, after a pro-
longed illness. Congress will undoubtedly
set apart day for the purpose Of giving
expression to the sentiments entertained
for the character and great public services
of Senator Miller. l offer the following
resolutions
Resoiued, That the House has received with
profound sorrow the intelligence of the death
OF Senator John F. Miller, Of California.
Resosred, That out of respect to his memery
this House do now adjourn.
The resolutions were unanimously
adopted, and accordingly the House adj
journed.
THE SENATOR LAST ILLNESS.
WAsHINeToS, March Sth.-Senator John
+. Miller, of California, died at his resi-
dence on Connecticut avenue, in this city.
at LEO this afternoon. after prolonged
illness While his condition has been re-
garded as precarious for many weeks past,
bis death to-day was sudden and unex-