24 April 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Reports that the Third Brigade has been moved to Washington, D.C., and the Second Brigade to Alexandria, Virginia. Notes that his brigade will remain where it is, Fairfax Station, a "quiet healthy Place." Doubts that he will receive a promotion. Notes that he left home (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania) 22 months ago. Accompanied by a newspaper clipping containing an anecdote related to the bravery of the Pennsylvania Reserves. Clipping measures 7.3 x 6.2 cm.

GLC02155.097

13 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. Relates that his lieutenant, [Henry] Minnigh, has obtained a leave of absence. Written in pencil.

GLC02155.087

18 March 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Comments that mistakes in the letter are due to his companions' singing. Also notes that making rings out of bone or wood has become fashionable in his company.

GLC02155.088

21 March 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Writes a depressing letter to his wife complaining about his inability to obtain a furlough and his lack of sleep.

GLC02155.089

2 April 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Relates to his wife that he installed a stove in his quarters. Comments on Sergeant Henry's wounded leg. Notes that there are four regiments at his Fairfax Station: the Buck Tails, his regiment, the Sixth, and the Second.

GLC02155.090

4 April 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Relates that he dreamed that the Union won the Civil War, and his wife had another baby.

GLC02155.091

7 April 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Complains to his wife: "... it is a shame and a disgrace that this government will keep troops, (when they must know that a great number of them are married men who have famalies [sic]) without pay for five and six months they must think they are all Rich..."

GLC02155.092

10 April 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Assures his wife that he cares about her as much as ever. Writes, "...as far as Alexandria is concerned, should we be so unfortunate as to get there, you have known my feelings in regard to such things too long to doubt me for an instant..." Notes that they receive crackers and potatoes twice a week, as well as fresh beef.

GLC02155.093

18 April 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Complains of having a severe cold and his inability to obtain a furlough. Miller's letter consists of three pages. On page four, there is a note written in pencil. The author conveys her wish for Miller to obtain his furlough, and signs the note "Helen, Alias, Swift."

GLC02155.094

19 April 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Complains about his inability to obtain a furlough. Expects to stay at Fairfax Station through the summer.

GLC02155.095

23 April 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Regarding his inability to get a furlough, writes, "Dear Wife there is an under handed game at work here, those that are Particular friends of Little Eddy McPherson stands the Best chance as they write on to him he goes to Genl Heintzleman [sic] [Samuel Heintzelman] and the Genl just sends an Order on to have a furlough made out for such a man in the Company..." Mentions his lieutenant, Henry Minnigh.

GLC02155.096

6 May 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Reflects on his service: "...when we look at the army of the Potomac under Genl Hooker how they have Been marching and fighting the last week we ought not to complain, many a poor fellow whose time was nearly out... whose Boddy now lies a lifeless corps on the Battle field at Fredericksburg..."

GLC02155.098

8 May 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Complains about his inability to obtain a furlough, noting Governor Andrew Curtin granted a soldier from his company a furlough. Another man wrote to "Little Eddy," possibly Representative Edward McPherson, who granted him a furlough. Miller notes, "I cannot apply to the detestable McPherson."

GLC02155.099

10 May 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Regarding the Battle of Chancellorsville, writes that there is "a great deal of excitement about Genl Hookers last defeat if such it can be called, it is verry currently Reported here this morning that he is again crossing, But I do not think it is correct... there has been another terrible slaughter on both sides..."

GLC02155.100

21 May 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Complains that some of his fellows have obtained a furlough, while he has not. Discusses Mr. Frey, a sutler, and the sutler store. In a post script, notes that he enclosed a song (not included) with this letter.

GLC02155.101

24 May 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Writes, "... the different Regts keep the People that live around here, they come into camp and gather up all the Bread meat an coffee the Boys do not make use of which is not a little, they are generally women and children, and I must say I should care to have a wife or sister of mine traveling around camp as they do for they must hear and see things in camp which would not Be pleasant to a decent woman..." Goes on to compare the poverty of the area in Virginia to the relative comfort of his hometown (Gettysburg, Pennsylvania). Ironically remarks that he hopes war will not touch home, noting…

GLC02155.102

27 May 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Thinks Lieutenant Kitzmiller will be able to obtain a leave of absence. Discusses the complicated process of obtaining a furlough, noting that the request ultimately has to meet the approval of General [Samuel] Heintzelman.

GLC02155.103

30 May 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Received a letter from his father, who is also in the service. Notes that he has one year left to serve, but his father's time will be up soon. Discusses his wife's upcoming trip to Columbia (possibly Columbia, Pennsylvania). Pages one and two of the pages are cross-written, containing an incomplete letter possibly written by Miller's wife, Lile, to Miller.

GLC02155.104

2 June 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Discusses his ordeal trying to obtain leave, including a friend's recommendation to General [Samuel] Heintzelman. Of the war, writes, "...I have saw enough of Blood to last me my life time..." References a Confederate attack on a train, and criticizes the Vermont troops that were on board. Promises to send a song called the "[Rovers] Grave."

GLC02155.105

12 September 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Murray writes to his wife: "Dear Lile I almost dread when we are discharged it will Be almost like changing climate, the mode of living is so diferent, But I think I can manage..." Has been temporarily marked "off duty" by the doctor. Hopes to keep a blanket he found on the battlefield at Gettysburg. Disapproves of women who marry soldiers, and notes how the soldiers pass judgment when they see "a soldier run with a girl."

GLC02155.106

21 September 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Miller describes the Virginia landscape, noting that Culpeper is "like all the towns nearby that I have saw in Virginia old fashioned looking and dilapidated nothing neat or tidy about it I wish you were here Dear Lile to go with me to see some of those old farm mansions that was once the house of some Rich Old Virginian, But now are left desolate and forsaken it makes one feel sorrowfull and ask yourself what has caused all this wretchedness, the answer comes war unrelenting war Between two parts of what once was a happy and prosperous union... but I suppose the good man has brought this…

GLC02155.107

22 September 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Writes a love letter to his wife. Expects to cross the Rapidan River and "[attack] Old Lee as he is sending reinforcements to Bragg."

GLC02155.108

1 October 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Discusses another man, Mr. Spates, who apparently cheated on his wife. Professes his undying devotion to Lile. Hopes that Lile and Charles (his son) are in good health.

GLC02155.109

3 October 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Reports that some men from the 9th regiment were involved in a skirmish while on picket. Notes that Newton Derboren, a friend of his, hopes to transfer to the Signal Corps. Predicts that too many Union corps have been sent away from the area for them to attack [General Robert E.] Lee. Philosophizes on the happiness and perils of marriage.

GLC02155.110

10 October 1863

Miller, Michael Murray, fl. 1861-1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lile Miller

Written from camp at Fairfax Court House. Describes his involvement in the Battle of Bristoe (modern day Bristow) Station. Outlines his company's march to the Rapidan River, noting they fell back to Rappahannock Station and were followed by the enemy. Reports that they drove the enemy to Brandy Station and fell back to Bristoe Station. Written in pencil.

GLC02155.111