January 24, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near White Oak Church. Describes marching to Falmouth, Virginia. Referring to Burnside's Mud March, writes: "Burnside army got fast in the mud, although as usual they had the Old Pa Reserves for their wheel Horses we could not help them in this fix." Adds, "Poor Burnside i Pitty him for i Believe he tries to do his Best, But McClellan is the only man that is able to Command this Army."

GLC02155.078

January 26, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near White Oak Church. Mentions that his father, who is also in the military, is ward master of an unspecified hospital. Writes, "in this letter you filled a large space with the doings of of [sic] the Government all you sad [sic] is true i Believe, yet you folks do not know the one half that is carried on in this war, it is getting worse and worse, it is dimond cut dimond among the Politicians and the soldier is the Real Nigger now."

GLC02155.079

February 15, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near Union Mills. Describes his recent march from Alexandria via Manassas Road and Fairfax Court House. Mentions a mutiny in his company; Miller sided with the officers. Writes, "the Division is Ruined."

GLC02155.081

February 16, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near Union Mills. Reports that although he did not take part in his regiment's recent refusal to disobey orders, he does not blame the men for doing so, since they recently had to march a long way through mud and water. Notes that they are under the command of Brigadier General Hayes.

GLC02155.082

February 23, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near Union Mills. Describes another miserable night on picket. Notes that they will receive four months pay the following month.

GLC02155.084

February 24, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near Union Mills. Comments on a recent situation in which some men in his regiment refused to obey orders; he previously described the incident to Lile and now reprimands her for reading the letter to another woman. Expresses his melancholy mood, writing, "Dear Lile i cannot look at People and the world as i one [sic] did."

GLC02155.085

6 March 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller writes to his wife from camp near Union Mills. Comments on the draft: "...the Conscription Act... comes down verry heavily on the men from 21 to 35 years of age, But it is only what they should have done one year ago, had they have given Genl McClellan six (hundred) thousand or the half of that number [when] we were on the Peninsula last spring..." Describes the complicated process of obtaining a furlough. Heard a report that General [John] F. Reynolds is angry about how his regiment is treated. Gives news of his promotion to first corporal.

GLC02155.086

December 22, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

In this letter, Michael M. Miller writes home to his wife. He wishes she is well and says he is feeling better since the last time he wrote. He mentions that he feels like he has nothing to do but sit around. He also writes that the army is trying to enlist the Old Reserve Corps, and that if the position was ever offered he wouldn't take it unless she wanted him to. He asks her to send him a list of men who were newly enlisted from their town. He ends the letter by saying that he is running out of food rations. He wishes her a happy Christmas and asks her to write more.

GLC02155.125

December 25, 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

In this letter, Michael M. Miller writes home to his wife. He wishes her a merry Christmas and hopes this is the last Christmas apart from her. Him and a friend went to a nearby place to eat and had a big meal for the holiday which he was happy about becaause of a prior food supply shortage. He said that both him and his friend were upset that they hadn't received letters from their wives. He is excited about having sausage for breakfast. Some men from the company are leaving and he lists their names. He says that he would not enlist back into the army if asked and signs off lovingly.

GLC02155.126

7 January 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

GLC02155.127

January 11, 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.128

January 13, 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.129

January 17, 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.130

January 20, 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written from Camp at Brestow Station. He discusses whether "Grandpap's house" will be suitable to rent. Mentions that they are likely to have more visitors after the war as he will want to invite over his friends from the army and discuss their shared experiences. He says it has been difficult getting his men to speak of his wife and family in a respectful manner and that he is trying to put a stop to them speaking of her at all, as they only do so in jest. He then mentions that his Sgt. was married while on furlough. After expressing his desire to see her and hold her again, he devotes the…

GLC02155.131

February 1, 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Writing from Camp at Brestow Station in Virginia, Miller thanks his wife for writing so often, but insists he doesn't need her to send him "a Box", presumably of food because "we now get fresh Bread all the time". He describes the rations in more detail, seeming to be content with what he has. He alludes to the fact that on his last trip home, his wife was away. He writes of some gossip the two have shared in previous letter and begs her not to tell anyone what he has said about some of the other men in his company (one of whom is an officer). However, he is glad to have the position he has…

GLC02155.132

February 24, 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.135

February 25, 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.136

1 March 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.138

7 March 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.139

9 March 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.140

18 March 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Michael Miller tells his wife that he has been feeling very blue lately, and that the days closer to his discharge feel extremely long. He says he would not reenlist in the army and expresses frustration that enlisted men, like himself, get paid less than officers but seem to do more work. He longs to speak face to face with his wife and misses their son, Charley. He mentions talk of the rebels' plan to storm a fort on the Rappahannock River. He apologizes several times for sending such a sad letter, signing off lovingly and emphatically. Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.141

20 March 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Michael Miller thanks his wife for her most recent letter and discusses how important the letters are for both of them. Her health is improving, which makes him happy. He'd like to see her, but says she could have become ugly in his absence and he would still love her. He describes getting up before sunrise to form ranks and the positioning of railroad cars to transport troops after talk of Stuart making a raid on the railroad. Miller's bunkmate, whom he was with since Antietam, was moved after being detailed as a corporal. He jokes about finding a female bunkmate. He says his spirits are…

GLC02155.142

20 April 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

In this short letter, Michael Miller tells his wife that the war department has ordered no mail sent from the army for 60 days. He tells her that if she doesn't hear from him, it is because he is not allowed to write. He remarks on how difficult this will be and signs off lovingly. Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.143

24 April 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Michael Miller writes to his wife, but saying he does not know what to tell her because the activities of Camp Bristoe Station are secretive. However, they have not received orders yet to move, which Miller is pleased about because he has been recovering from illness. He tells Lile that his division may not be engaged in upcoming battle because they have not been consolidated. He says his confidence in the government is waning and he would never leave his home again for the sake of war. Miller describes his dream from the night before: being home and reunited with Lile, talking with her after…

GLC02155.144

26 April 1864

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller expresses relief that the war department has not yet stopped army mail. He says he's afraid this will be his last letter from Camp Bristoe Station, but he isn't certain if he will be going to the front. He discusses their love for each other. He tells her that reports say he may have to stay in the army longer than expected. He mentions he has been in the army for three years now. In a postscript, he says his health is not good and sends a kiss to his son. Written in camp at Bristoe Station.

GLC02155.145