Temporary record

Letters from the Miller family, mostly to and from James Henry Miller, his mother, Elizabeth, and wife, Mary Waggener Miller to whom he was married in 1848. Originally from Hodgensville, Ky., where his mother remained, Miller moved to Gilead, Lewis Co., Mo., prior to the war, then to Long Island, Kansas, ca.1883. Other family members lived in Mississippi prior to war and migrated to Nebraska in the 1870s. Most of the letters concern the family farms and the health and progress of family members.

James Miller served with the Union Army in Missouri and Arkansas seeing action both against Confederate bushwackers and regulars. His letters refer to service at Rolla, Mo. (Dec. 1862-Mar. 1863), Pilot Knob, Mo. (Apr. 1863-July 1863), and Little Rock, Ark. (Sept. 1863-June 1865). Miller describes skirmishes at Chalk Bluff, Ark. and Little Rock, Ark. and actions against "bushwackers" operating out of Little Rock. His descriptions are clear, concise, but somewhat meagre. Affection for his wife and family is evident; four pro-union poems written to his wife are included in the collection.

Elizabeth Miller's letters are all addressed to James Miller, except for those written during the war which are addressed to his wife, Mary. These latter provide strong, emotionally charged descriptions of the hardships of civilian life during war-time, but are unfortunately somewhat slight. A few of Elizabeth's postwar letters are of interest in recording the tensions surrounding reconstruction, however the main topics of these letters is news of family and friends and Elizabeth's advanced age.

Relatives' letters include some from children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces of James and Mary (including Millers and Waggeners) living in Kentucky, Missouri, Nebraska, and Kansas. Correspondence from J. G. W. Duffey, James' uncle in Mississippi, concerns settling the estate of Fielding Miller. These and the letters from John Duffey are filled with reports of ill health. John's (JGWD's son) letters are chattier and more descriptive, with some references to contemporary politics (e.g., unfavorable remarks about presidential candidate Pierce in 1852).

M-2588

Subjects

Arkansas--Description and travel
Chalk Bluff (Ark.)--Description
Death
Guerrillas
Kansas--Description and travel
Kentucky--Description and travel
Little Rock (Ark.)--Description
Missouri--Description and travel
Pilot Knob (Mo.)--Description
Presidents--United States--Election--1852
United States--History--Civil War, 1861-1865

Back to brief guide

Return to:

Homepage	Manuscripts	Collections	Staff	Hours and policies