The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1899-08-02

Ile editor OF GQc AOUetlllc N4CUi u LII
was sergeant major Of Orr's Rifles
from March, 1864, until the surrender
at Appomattox Court House, and was
near Col. G.. McDufie Miller in all the
battles Of 1864 aud 1865, where he
commanded the regiment. In camp
we looked after the regimental papers
for him, on the march we slept under
the same blanket with him and in bat
tie we walked by his side. Our rela-
tions were SO confidential that we Of
ten signed his name to papers of i'm
po7tance. So great was our friendship
that he invited us to be one OF his
eroomsmen when he married in 1860.
These facts and an unchanging friend
shin for thirty seven years are good
reasons why we should devote col
un,n to the record of his heroic and
patriotic life. He was the last gal
lant commander Of the famous Ora S
Rites, which made an immortal name
in the war between the States. His
life up to the breaking out OF HOSTILE
ties qualified him for the duties and
hardships Of the high F sition he at
tained. AS merchant he acquired a
thorough knowledge of business that
aided him in the management OF the
historic regiment. His active life on
the farm gave himNa sound and vigo-
rous constitution that enabled him to
endure the hardships Of military SER
vice.
He was the son Of Allen Miller, who
lived near Due West, and was born
August 2, 1880. He had the advan-
tages Of the common schools of the
country and at the age Of II years be-
came a clerk in the store Of Samuel
Mitchell at Lowndesville. Afterwards
he came to Abbeville and engaged in
merchandising as member Of the firm
sof Wier & Miller. and continued in
this business until the death Of his
father, when he returned home to look
after the plantation.
He always took great interest in tie
militia and was elected major OF the
old regiment thai, once mustered at
Drake's old field, near Donald's. At
another time he was judge advocate
under the old system.
!. In 1860, when it became evident
that South Carolina would secede, an
organization Of Minute Men was ef-
fected for immediate defence. The
deceased joined the company as a
private, and went with it 30 Charles
ton. Capt. James III. Perrin: a vete-
ran Of the Mexican war, was in COM
mand of the company, which reached
Charleston in time to assis. in the re-
duction Of Fort Sumte1. There being
no longer necessity for s::;e presence
Of the Minute men around Charleston
they were discharged and returned to
their homes, except sufficient NUM-
berJ to make up several companies
which went with Col. Maxcy Gregg to
Virginia.
The deceased came home and raised
q company which was mustered in for
three years or the war; at Sandy
Springs, July 81, 1861. This COM
pany was FIRST known as the Marshall
Riaemen, named in honor Of J. Foster
Marshall, sho won laurels on the
battleields Of Mexico, and when mus
tered in became Company G, Orr's
regiment Of rifles, the first body OF
troops enlisted in South Carolina ''for
the war" The Hon. James L. Orr
was e,,55cted colonel, D. A. Ledbetter
lieutenan, colonel and j. W. Living
.stcn major.
The company Of Capt. George Nc
DuAie Miller was designated as Com
papy G., and he was seventh in the
line Of captains. w. w. Higgins, a
veteran Of the Mexican war. who tell
at fredericksburg, was first lieuten-
ant, B. NJ. Latimer, who was mortally
wounded at Gaines Mill, was second
lieutenant, and James Pratt, third
lieutenant, was captain Of the COM
pany when the war ended. The en-
listed men came from about Due West
and Donald's. They we're handsome,
intelligent and patriotic. They made
glorious record and the fact that a
man was member Of Company G is
until this day passport to the conf
dence and esteem of all survivors.
The company, when on parade, COM
PEELED the admiration Of all spectators.
To give an idea Of the appearance Of
Company G we will state that Charles
> A. Belts, who lives near this city, and
is six feet and one inch in height, was
the twenty-fourth man in line, or in