The following letter was written by Alexander Miller (1832-1864) who enlisted as a private in Co. D, 25th Wisconsin Infantry on 8 August 1862. Alexander was born in Beaver county, Pennsylvania, the son of Hugh Miller (1806-1880) and Mary Lockhart (1813-1876). He was married in 1855 to Sarah J. Phillips and with their first born child relocated from Pennsylvania for Wisconsin. Their route took them down the Ohio river to the Mississippi and and then upriver to La Crosse, Wisconsin. From there they went by stage to Burns and then by ox team out to Big Creek Valley near Sparta where they established their home.

Alexander was with his regiment all through the war, including the Atlanta campaign, during which time he became seriously ill in early July 1864. He was taken to the Division hospital in Marietta. Later he was taken to Rome, Georgia, where he finally died on 10 October 1864. He kept a diary during his time in the service and he made his last entry on 9 October, “I am dying. God’s will be done. Oh God, look over and protect my dear wife and children from all the trials and temptations of the earth and finally let them meet me in heaven where we shall never more be parted.”

The following day, after his death, someone wrote in Alexander’s diary, “Alexander Miller died at half past 3 o’clock this morning. He did not seem to be in any pain. We have lost from among us one who was a true Christian, a Gentleman, and a Soldier. Farewell. God’s will be done.”

Alexander’s letter of 16 August 1863, transcribed below, gives the “particulars” of the death of one of his closest comrades, David H. Campbell, also of Co. D. David died of disease on 14 July 1863.

Transcription

Helena, Arkansas
August 16th 1863

Friend Edwin,

I received your letter of July 31st last evening & make haste to reply to your enquiries although I expect you have heard the particulars before this as I wrote to Andrew Bradley all the particulars about our friend David’s decease. You ask what was the state of his mind, &c. His mind generally appeared calm. I have had considerable conversation with him on religious matters. He always expressed a strong desire & determination to live a Christian life & he showed his desire by his daily walk of conversation. I don’t think he was aware that he was so near his end yet I trust that all is well with him. He had been unwell for some months but wasn’t considered anything serious till the evening before his death when he took a congestive chill. It only lasted a few minutes. He appeared tolerably lively after he got over it but complained of being weaker in the morning. He walked to the hospital (about 20 rods) without assistance. He laid down on a cot. This was about 10 or half past 10 & about 12 M he took another congestive chill & passed away without a struggle.

David has been my confidential friend for several months & we were tent mates and bed fellows. He told me that he wanted Nancy Savery to have all his property in case of his death. He said he left a paper at Bradley’s showing what he wanted done with his property but I doubt it being of any use if his relations have a mind to take his property. But I hope that his wishes may be fulfilled.

David was much respected in our company. He was my most confidential friend. It pains me to think that our friendship is broken but God doeth all things well. May His holy will be done.

I received a letter from you to David dated the 17th of July (I think). The commander of the company reads all his letters, then gives them to me.

The weather is quite dry and warm here—about 90 degrees several hours a day. There is black clouds, thunder and lightning every night but they bring no rain and but little wind. The health of the regiment is very poor. There is only about 50 reported for duty. There is a few more that do light duty. Thomas Dunlevy ¹ is not very well but is able to be about. He is my present bedfellow.

I had a spell of sickness while we were in the rear of Vicksburg. I got to feeling middling well & went on duty last week but I felt myself failing again in strength so I have quit work again. I feel well so long as I can be in the shade & keep cool but the sun soon brings me down. It is about 10 a.m. I would like to be at Big Creek to meet you all at the Prairie School House. We are almost totally deprived of Sabbath & Sanctuary privileges here. Oh, how I wish we had a chaplain to preach the word to us & council with the sick. But I hope that there is better days a coming.

Give my respects to all enquiring friends. Write as soon and often as convenient for I would be glad to have correspondence with any of David’s friends—more so with you, because you are an old neighbor. Hoping this may find you all well, I now close. From your friend, — A. Mill

Co. D, 25th Regiment Wisconsin Volunteers via Cairo, Illinois

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¹ Thomas Dunlevy of Co. D, 25th Wisconsin Infantry, died of wounds on 23 July 1864.