The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-08-02
GEORGE M'DUFFIE MILLER.
The Last Colonel Of Orr's Regiment OF
Rifles.
-AbberiUc Medium.

regiment as a whole was like Company
G in splendid appearance. When 1t
reached Charleston, Russell, the re-
nowned correspondent of the London
Times. wrote that ''no country of Flu
rope, Asia or Africa could show such
an assembly Of men of magnificent
physique.
After leaving Sandy Springs the
regiment went to Charleston and
served in that vicinity until ordered
to Virginia in April, 1862. The first
loss in battle in the regiment was S.
O. Reid, Of Company G, who was
mortally wounded at the battle of
Mechanicsville, June 26, 1862. The
next day the regiment opened the
greatbattle Of Gaines Mill, carrying
into action FIVE hundred and thirty
seven men. OF these eighty-one were
killed and two hundred and thirty
four wounded. Capt. Miller led his
fine company through this storm of
shot and shell with great intrepidity,
and his men stood the test with the
steadiness of the Old Guard of Napo-
leon. If our memery serves US nine
teen men were killed, thirty-four
wounded and only three Of the COM
pany escaped without scratch. Capt.
Miller was wounded in the breast and
in the heel so severely that he was
not able for service until near the end
of the campaign Of 1862. Company
G showed the effect Of Capt. Miller S
training in every battle in which it
took part during that memorable year
Of battles. At Fredericksburg it was
especially conspicuous for its undaunt-
ed frmness when the regiment was
surprised and thrown into confusion
because Gen. Maxcy Gregg gave a
wrong order not to fire upon the enemy,
thinking they were our own men. The
regiment was swept away, but Com
pany G. formed on the 1st regiment
and held back the enemy.
When Orr's Rifles were mustered in
Capt. Miller was seventh captain in
the line of promotion. Col. Orr had
resigned. Col. Marshall and Lieut..
Col. Ledbetter fell at the battle of
second Manassas and j. ". Living
ston became full colonel, James NJ.
Perrin lieutenant colonel and J..J.
Norton major. Capt. Miles NJ. Nor
ton, Of Company E, was killed at
second Manassas. Col. Livingston re-
signed on account, of i'll health and
Major Norton on account of the loss
of an arm, which incapacitated him
for active service. Because of these
and other changes Capt. Miller rose
to the rank Of major by the beginning
Of the Charlottesville campaign. At
the battle of Charlottesville Col.
James NJ. Perrin was killed. +. E.
Harrison became colonel and Major
Miller rose to the rank of lieutenant
colonel, but was wounded and COM
PEELED to leave the front until he re-
covered. Col. F. Harrison left the
regiment on account Of a wound in the
knee, which disabled him, and Lieut..
Col. Miller had command Of the regi-
ment until the close Of the war. AS
lieutenant colonel he led the regiment
at the battle Of the Wilderness and on
the second day won imperishable
honors.
It was on the morning Of May 6,
1864, that by sudden attack, directed
by Gen. Grant, Hills corps was
doubled back until it seemed as if a
great disaster was upon us. Long
street was coming on the field and our
line was pressed hurriedly to the rear
by Grants exultant troops. Every
regiment of McGowan's brigade was
swept back in confusion until Orr's
Rifles was struck and the gallant regi-
ment stood immoyablc before the
furious onslaught Of the enemy until
ordered to fall back. The face of the
earth seemed to be covered with the
enemy, who swarmed across an open
space in our front. Col. Miller halted
the regiment, and it was dressed in
perfect alignment. Then he gave the
orders, 'about face, guide centre, for
ward march, and the regiment re-
tired as if on parade, moving like
clockwork, our flag waving in the gen
tie breeze, the Southern Cross stand
ing out in beautiful relief in the rays
Of the morning sum- Col. Miller was
on foot in his proper place, the pic
ture Of perfect soldier, and with his
magnificent regiment the object Of
admiration for Gen. Robert +. Lee,
who came upon the field with Long
-. l.