Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-21
The Attorney General Served Four Months
but Doesn't Think Much Of It.

The Attorney General Served Four Months,
but Doesn't Think Much of 1t.
One Of the members Of the cabinet. whose
period Of service in arms was brief is Attorney
General Miller. Thousands Of men who we're less
useful than he have rehearsed their deeds until
there has been wonderful imaginative growth
and much latter-day reputation, but the Attor-
ney General simply smiles in quiet way when
asked about his war record. The record is not
what might be termed brilliant, but there is
nothing in it to be ashamed Of. When Stone
wall Jackson accelerated the movements of
Gen. Banks in the Shenandoah valley the north
was greatly in fear Of invasion, so President
Lincoln. in May, 1862, called for more men. At
that time MIR. Miller was living in northern
Ohio and he Joined regiment which was being
organized in towns along the southern shore of
Lake Erie-the eighty-fourth Ohio. 1t was q
three months regiment and when it moved
south Mr.. Miller was first lieutenant in one of
its companies. West Virginia and Maryland
were the two states in which Lieut.. Miller ana
his comrades of the eighty-fourth rendered
efficient service. They did not participate in
any fighting, because their orders kept them
otherwise employed; the opportunity to become
distinguished was not present Except that
the regiment once narrowly escaped capture
somewhere in the vicinity Of Harper's Ferry
the regimental history is without remarkable
incident; in fact the regiment was not even
brigaded. Although the contract was for three
months Of duty the eighty-fourth put in an
extra thirty days before 1t was mustered out.
Lieut.. Miller was endeavoring to re-enlist his
company and was succeeding admirably when
he was notified that the field and staff-resident
principally in Cleveland-had concluded to let
the organization fall to pieces. William Law
treasury, was colonel, and as in later DAYS.
there was no appeal from his decision.
II have never had any very exalted opinion
Of my war service" said the Attorney General
to STAR reporter when Intercepted on the
subject. II tried to do my duty and believe
with success. Since then have refrained from
mentioning my connection with the war; Out
In the west live two men whom know. Both
were in the Union army and both were gallant
soldiers. One was prominent in all Grand
Army matters, presided at veterans banquets,
made speeches at reunions and was one OF the
central features at camp fires. The other was
more modest and not one In hundred Of his
acquaintance knew Of the prodigies of vaIor he
had performed on a score Of bloody fields. Not
so very long ago 1t happened that both these
men were after the same nomination and the
friends OF each were working tooth and toenail
with the convention. One Of the candidates
had o card in circulation which was highly
decorated with corps badges and numerous
other designs in colors, while his service was
somewhat deliberately described. His meek
opponent had cards out, too, but there was an
entire absence Of military decoration. In the
center OF the pasteboard was his name and in
one Of the lower corners was this statement
Enlisted April 20, 1851; honorably discharged
April ~, 1865. Haven't soldiered SINCE"