Meacham through Mitigation

MEACHAM, Alfred Benjamin, 1826-1882, clergyman, reformer, author, historian, Native American rights advocate, abolitionist.


MEAD, Lark in Goldsmith, sculptor, born in Chesterfield, New Hampshire, 3 January, 1835. At an early age he moved to Brattleboro, Vermont, where he was educated and first displayed his artistic talent by modelling in snow a colossal figure of an angel, which excited much admiration. An account of this, published in various newspapers, attracted the attention of Nicholas Longworth, of Cincinnati, who provided for the boy's artistic education. From 1853 till 1855 he studied with Henry Kirke Brown in Brooklyn, New York. In 1855 he produced the "Recording Angel" and in 1857 a colossal statue of "Vermont," which crowns the dome of the statehouse in Montpelier, and in 1861 he executed the statue of Ethan Allen that stands in the portico. From the encampment of the Army of the Potomac he sent to a New York illustrated paper, early in the Civil War, numerous spirited sketches of camp and battle scenes. In 1862 he went to Florence, where he has since resided, and has produced there statuettes of "Echo," "Sappho, "Joseph the Shepherd," and "The Mountain Boy." His first elaborate work in Italy was a group. "The Returned Soldier" (1866). Between 1868 and 1874 he produced the groups "Columbus's Last Appeal to Queen Isabella" and "America," for the soldiers' monument at St. Johnsbury, Vermont. Besides portrait busts he has modelled "Venice, the Bride of the Sea," and "The Discovery of America." In 1874 he completed for Vermont a statue of Ethan Allen to be placed in the old hall of representatives in Washington, now called the National Statuary Hall. His statue of Lincoln for the president's monument in Springfield, Illinois, was placed there on 15 October, 1874. (See Lincoln, Abraham.) It represents Mr. Lincoln as having just signed the proclamation of emancipation, he has executed four colossal groups, entitled "Cavalry," "Infantry," "Artillery." and "Navy," and his latest work is a colossal statue in marble of the Mississippi River represented as a river-god.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 278.


MEADE, George Gordon, soldier, born in Cadiz, Spain, 31 December, 1815; died in. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 6 November, 1872, attended school in Philadelphia and afterward Salmon P. Chase's school in Washington, D. C. and Mt. Hope Institution near Baltimore, Maryland, from which he went to the U. S. Military Academy, where he was graduated in 1835. He was assigned to the 3d U.S. Artillery, and ordered to Florida. While he was serving in the war against the Seminoles his health failed, and he was detailed to conduct a party of Seminoles to Arkansas, and then ordered to Watertown Arsenal, Massachusetts, and was on ordnance duty there till 26 October, 1836, when he resigned. He was engaged as assistant civil engineer in the is  construction of the railroad at Pensacola, Florida, till April, 1837, then, under the appointment of the War Department, made a survey of the mouth of Sabine River, and afterward assisted in the survey of the delta of the Mississippi till February, 1839. In 1840 he was employed in the astronomical branch of the survey of the boundary-line between the United States and Texas, and in August of that year became civil assistant in the survey of the northeastern boundary between the United States and British North America. On 31 December, 1840, he married Margaretta, a daughter of John Sergeant. On 19 May, 1842, he was appointed a 2d lieutenant in the Corps of Topographical Engineers, and continued on duty in the survey of the northeastern boundary till November, 1843. In 1844-'5 he was engaged on surveys in Delaware Bay. In September, 1845, he joined the staff of General Zachary Taylor at Corpus Christi, Texas. He took part in May, 1846, in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and in the occupation of Matamoras, and later, under General William Worth, led the assault on Independence Hill at Monterey, for which he was brevetted 1st lieutenant, and shared in the march to Tampico. In the siege of Vera Cruz he served on the staff of General Robert Patterson. Then returning home, he was engaged in 1847-9 in constructing light-houses in Delaware bay and in mapping surveys of Florida reefs. He served in the field against the Seminoles in 1849-50.  Mead was on light-house duty in Delaware bay in 1850-'l, was commissioned 1st lieutenant of Topographical Engineers on 4 August, 1851, and for the next five years was engaged in the construction of light-houses at Carysfort Reef, Sand Key, Cedar Key, and Coffins's Patches, in the Florida reefs. He was promoted captain on 19 May, 1856, served on the Geodetic Survey of the northwestern lakes in that year, and in 1857-61 was in charge of all the northern lake surveys. Soon after the beginning of the Civil War Captain Meade was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, dating from 31 August, 1861, and assigned to the command of the 2d brigade of Pennsylvania Reserves, in the Army of the Potomac. On 18 June, 1862, he was promoted major of Topographical Engineers. In the Peninsular Campaign he commanded his brigade in the battles of Mechanicsville and Gaines’s Mills, and at New Market Cross-Roads, otherwise called Glendale, where he was severely wounded. He was taken to Philadelphia, but, soon recovering, rejoined the army in time to render service against the enemy then advancing toward Washington, and took part in the second battle of Bull Run. In the invasion of Maryland he commanded the division of Pennsylvania Reserves, in the absence of General John F. Reynolds, at the battle of South Mountain and at Antietam, where he flanked the enemy from the right, and so signalized himself by his skill and intrepidity that he was placed, by General McClellan, on the field of battle, in command of the 1st Corps after the wounding of General Joseph Hooker. In this engagement General Meade's horse was shot under him. In October and November, 1862, he marched to Falmouth, Virginia, in command of his division, which at Fredericksburg was opposed to the troops of Stonewall Jackson. It alone, of all the army, drove everything before it, and broke through the enemy's lines, finding itself, as General Meade expressed himself in testifying before a commission, "in the presence of the enemy's reserves." During the action two horses were shot under him. For want of timely support, the division was finally forced to fall back. General Meade was now promoted major-general, his commission dating from 29 November, 1862, and on 25 December was placed in command of the 5th Corps. He commanded this corps at the battle of Chancellorsville, and on the first day was pressing forward on the left, meeting with some resistance, but successfully overcoming it, when he was recalled and ordered to retire to his former position before Chancellorsville. General Meade was placed in command of the Army of the Potomac on 23 June, 1863. The change of commanders was made while the corps were on the march in pursuit of an enemy who had pushed far into the invaded country. The general had yet to learn everything of the positions of the enemy and of his own separated corps, of personnel and materiel at his command, and to gain all the essential knowledge that a commander possesses who directs a movement from its inception. He was ordered to relieve General Hooker, without warning, in the night of 27 June, 1863. His army lay encamped about Frederick, Maryland, while Lee's had marched up the Cumberland valley. Meade determined to follow the enemy in a parallel march on the opposite side of South Mountain, dispose his troops so as to guard the passes of the mountain and prevent a descent on Baltimore and harass Lee, with a view of bringing on a general engagement. The troops began to move on the morning of 29 June, and by two forced marches gained positions that would enable them to deploy along the line between Westminster and Waynesborough. When Lee began to concentrate east of South Mountain, Meade ordered his columns to occupy the slope along Pipe Creek, and advanced his left wing to the neighborhood of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, making his dispositions so as to face either north or west. The advanced forces at Emmettsburg and Gettysburg were only expected to delay the march of the Confederates until the concentration could be accomplished on the selected line, fifteen miles in the rear of those positions. On the morning of 1 July, National cavalry came into collision with the head of a Confederate column near Gettysburg. General John F. Reynolds sent infantry to support his cavalry, and at first gained an advantage, but the Confederates soon came up in overwhelming force, and drove the National troops through the town to the hills. General Winfield S. Hancock, who, after Reynolds had fallen, was sent by Meade to conduct operations at Gettysburg, found the Confederate Army approaching by the roads that led to that village, and sent word to General Meade to bring forward his forces to the heights near Gettysburg, on which he posted the remnants of the two corps that had been engaged. Meade, after hearing the report of Hancock, who returned to Taneytown in the evening, was convinced of the superiority of Gettysburg as a defensive position, and ordered a concentration there. During that night and the following morning his troops came up and took position on Cemetery ridge, while Lee posted his on Seminary ridge farther west, both commanders deferring an attack until their main force was on the ground. General Meade arrived at the front soon after noon. The battle was opened at four o'clock in the afternoon by a vigorous attack on the 3d Corps forming the left and left centre, and soon became general along the entire line. The 3d Corps was routed, but the line was not broken, because the National troops, strongly re-enforced from the right, fell back to the ridge more directly connecting the wings of the army, while, after a desperate conflict, they gained possession of Little Round Top, a position of vital importance, which they had neglected to occupy  before the battle. The partial defeat impelled General Meade to make preparations for a retreat. Generals Abner Doubleday and Alfred Pleasanton, who were intrusted with the arrangements, subsequently represented that their commander had already given up the hope of holding the position, but he denied, with solemn protestations, before the Congressional Committee on the Conduct of the War, "ever having intended or thought, for one instant, to withdraw that army unless the military contingencies which the future should develop during the course of the day might render it a matter of necessity that the army should be withdrawn." In the evening he called a council of war, which advised him against either retreating or attacking, in which opinion he coincided, though expressing the belief, it is said, that the position was bad. Flushed with the success of the day, and relying on the prestige gained at Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville, General Lee determined to renew the attack on the National Army in its strong position on the following day. In the morning Meade took the offensive against Ewell, and drove him from the intrenchments that he had captured on the right, nearest the town. At one o'clock the Confederates opened fire with 145 guns, to which the National artillery replied with 80, which was all that could be advantageously planted on their ridge. When the National fire ceased, after two hours, General George E. Pickett's division charged Meade's centre under a heavy artillery and infantry fire, poured in from all sides, and was nearly annihilated; a few of them reached the breastworks, only to fall there or be made prisoners. General Meade then ordered an advance on the left, and drove back General John B. Hood's division. Both armies remained in their positions until the evening of the next day, when Lee retreated to the Potomac, and was there obliged to intrench until the waters subsided. Meade followed slowly by a longer route, and when he came up to the Confederates, on 12 July, intrenched himself, postponing an attack, in deference to the decision of a council of war, until he could make a reconnaissance. An advance was ordered to be made on the morning of the 14th, but during the night the enemy had crossed the river. The Confederate force engaged at Gettysburg was about 69,000 men, while the effective strength of the Army of the Potomac was between 82,000 and 84,000, but its numerical superiority was in a measure neutralized by the fatigues of its long marches. General Meade was commissioned brigadier-general in the regular army on 3 July, 1863. After the advance of the Army of the Potomac into Virginia the detachment of large forces caused comparative inactivity, which was followed in the autumn by the actions at Bristoe's Station, Kelly's Ford, and Rappahannock Station, and the operations at Mine Run in December. The army experienced no reverse while General Meade was commander-in-chief, and he was continued in the command of the Army of the Potomac after General Ulysses S. Grant had been made commander of all the armies of the United States and assumed the direction of the operations in person. He was made major-general on 18 August, 1864. During two years, or more than half the period of its existence, General Meade was in immediate command of the Army of the Potomac, and, having been in every campaign of the army since its formation and in all of its battles except two, commanded in the grand review that took place in Washington after the close of the war. During the time that intervened before the southern states resumed regular political relations with the government he commanded the Military Division of the Atlantic. From August, 1866, till January, 1868, he commanded the Department of the East, then till August, 1868, the military district embracing Georgia and Alabama, next the Department of the South, comprising the same states with South Carolina and Florida, and from March, 1869, till his death, he was at the head of the Military Division of the Atlantic again. He received the degree of LL. D. from Harvard in 1865, and was a member of the American Philosophical Society, of the Pennsylvania Historical Society, and of the Philadelphia Academy of Natural Sciences, and one of the commissioners of Fairmount Park. His death was caused by pneumonia, aggravated by complications resulting from the gun-shot wound that he had received at New Market Cross-Roads. He was buried with imposing military honors. An equestrian statue of General Meade, designed by Milne Calden, was dedicated in Fairmount park, Philadelphia, on 18 October, 1887. The allegation that General Meade planned a retreat on the second day at Gettysburg is controverted in a pamphlet by George Meade, entitled " Did General Meade desire to retreat at the Battle of Gettysburg" (Philadelphia, 1883). Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 279-281.


MEADE, George, born in Philadelphia, 2 November, 1843, was educated in Philadelphia, and in September, 1862, enlisted as a private in the 8th Pennsylvania militia Regiment, and served in the ranks during the Antietam Campaign, after which he was honorably discharged. In October he was appointed 2d lieutenant in the 6th Pennsylvania Cavalry (Rush's lancers), and served in the Army of the Potomac in the Fredericksburg Campaign, and in General Stoneman's cavalry raid of April and May, 1863. He was promoted to the rank of captain and Aide-de-camp in June, 1863, and appointed to the staff of his father [General George Gordon Meade], who then commanded the 5th Corps, Army of the Potomac, and he served continuously on the staff until the surrender of General Lee. In November, 1865, he was appointed a 2d lieutenant in the 9th U. S. Infantry, and in July, 1866, promoted to a captaincy in the 31st U.S. Infantry. Upon the consolidation of the army in 1869 he was transferred to the 22d U.S. Infantry, after being brevetted major and lieutenant-colonel, U. S. A., for gallant and meritorious services during the Civil War. He continued on the staff of General Meade most of the time until the death of the general, and resigned from the army in October, 1874. Colonel Meade was the only one of his father's sons that was associated with him in the army, his elder brother being in ill health, and his other brothers too young. He is the author of the pamphlet mentioned above and of various articles and letters that have appeared in the daily press regarding his father's career.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 281-282.


MEADE, Richard Worsam, naval officer, born in Cadiz, Spain, in 1807; died in New York City, 16 April, 1870, entered the U. S. Navy as a midshipman on 1 April, 1826, and passed that grade on 14 June, 1834. He became a lieutenant on the reserved list, 20 December, 1837, commander on the active list, 14 September, 1855, and captain on 16 July, 1862. In 1861 he took command of the receiving-ship " North Carolina," which vessel he greatly improved, and in 1864 he commanded the steam sloop-of-war "San Jacinto," which was wrecked and lost on one of the Florida reefs. He was retired with the rank of commodore on 11 December, 1867. Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 281.


MEADE, Richard Worsam, naval officer, born in New York City, 9 October, 1837, entered the U. S. Navy as a midshipman, 2 October, 1850, passed that grade, 20 June, 1856, became a lieutenant, 23 January, 1858, lieutenant-commander, 16 July, 1862, commander, 20 September, 1868, and captain, 13 March, 1880. He served during the Civil War on the Mississippi River, and in the South Atlantic and Western Gulf Blockading Squadrons, being highly commended in the official despatches for "skill and gallantry." Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 281.


MEADE, William, 1789-1862, Virginia, clergyman, soldier.  American Colonization Society, Vice-President, 1834-1841.  Influential member of the Colonization Society.  Freed his slaves.  (Staudenraus, P. J. The African Colonization Movement, 1816-1865. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 27-28, 53-54, 70-74, passim 189-190; Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 282-283; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 6, Pt. 2, p. 480)

MEADE, William, P. E. bishop; born near Millwood, Frederick (now Clarke) County, Virginia, 11 November, 1789; died in Richmond, Virginia, 14 March, 1862, was graduated at Princeton in 1808, studied theology, was made deacon, 24 February, 1811, and ordained priest, 10 January, 1814. He began his ministry in his native parish as assistant to Reverend Alexander Balmaine, but in the autumn of 1811 he became rector of Christ Church, Alexandria, Virginia, where he remained for eighteen months. He then returned to Millwood, succeeding the rector on the death of the latter in 1821. Being independent in his pecuniary circumstances, Mr. Meade officiated gratuitously for many years in his own parish and in the surrounding country. ln 1813-‘14 he took an active part in procuring the election of Dr. Richard C. Moore, of New York, as the successor of Bishop James Madison in the episcopate of Virginia, and contributed materially to the establishment of a diocesan theological seminary at Alexandria, and various educational and missionary societies connected with his denomination. In 1819 he went to Georgia as a commissioner to negotiate for the release of certain recaptured Africans who were about to be sold, and succeeded in his mission. On his journey he was active in establishing auxiliaries to the American Colonization Society, and was similarly occupied during a subsequent trip through the middle and eastern states. He emancipated his own slaves, but the experiment proved so disastrous to the Negroes that he ceased to advise its repetition by others. Appletons’ Cyclopædia of American Biography, 1888 Vol. IV, pp. 282-283.


MEADOW BLUFF, WEST VIRGINIA. December 14, 1863. (See Big Sewell Mountain.)


MEADOW BRIDGE, VIRGINIA, May 12, 1864. Detachments of 1st Brigade, 1st Division and Reserve Brigade, Cavalry Corps. Army of the Potomac. During the campaign from the Rapidan to the James the 5th Michigan cavalry was ordered at daylight to cross the Chickahominy at Meadow bridge. The Confederates destroyed the bridge on the approach of the force, but a crossing was effected on the railroad bridge and the enemy driven back half a mile into his intrenchments upon a hill. Reinforcements were sent up at this time and after an hour's engagement the Confederates were flanked and routed. The losses, although not definitely reported, were not heavy. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 589.


MEAGHER, Thomas Francis (marr), soldier, born in Waterford, Ireland, 3 August, 1823; died near Fort Benton, Montana, 1 July, 1867. His father, a merchant, who had made a fortune in the Newfoundland trade, represented Waterford in parliament for several years. At the age of nine Thomas Francis was sent to the Jesuit College of Clongowes Wood, County Kildare, where he remained six years, and then entered Stonyhurst College, near Preston, England. In 1843 he left that institution, and soon afterward made his appearance as a public speaker at the great national meeting at Kilkenny, over which Daniel O'Connell presided. From that time he was devoted to the cause of Ireland, and in 1846 became one of the leaders of the Young Ireland Party, whose object was to obtain Irish independence by force of arms. In 1848 he was sent to Paris with an address to the provisional government of France from the Irish confederation, and on his return he presented the citizens of Dublin with an Irish tricolor, upon which occasion he made a fiery patriotic speech. On 21 March he was arrested on the charge of sedition, and was bailed to appear at the court of queen's bench. After the passage of the treason-felony act Meagher was arrested again, and in October, 1848, was convicted of treason and sentenced to death. The sentence was afterward commuted to banishment for life, and on 9 July, 1849, he was transported to Van Diemen's Land, but he escaped in 1852 and took refuge in the United States. In 1855 he had begun the study of the law, and he was subsequently admitted to the bar, but at, the beginning of the Civil War he at once abandoned his profession, and, organizing a company of Zouaves for the National Army, he joined the 69th New York Volunteers, under Colonel Michael Corcoran, and served during the first campaign in Virginia. At the first battle of Bull Run, where he was acting major of his regiment, a horse was shot under him. Upon the expiration of his three months' term of service he returned to New York, and in the latter part of 1861 organized the "Irish Brigade," being elected colonel of the first regiment. He was afterward assigned to command the brigade, his commission as brigadier-general bearing the date of 3 February, 1862. General Meagher and his command fought bravely during the seven days' battles around Richmond, Virginia, and at the second battle of Bull Run, Fredericksburg, and Antietam, where again a horse was shot under him. At Fredericksburg he was wounded in the leg. After Chancellorsville his brigade was so decimated that he resigned, and was out of the war until early in 1864, when he was recommissioned brigadier-general of volunteers and assigned to the command of the District of Etowah. In January, 1865, he was relieved  from duty in Tennessee, and ordered to report to General Sherman in Savannah, but the close of the war prevented his performing any further active service. After being mustered out of the service in 1865, General Meagher became secretary of Montana Territory, and in the following September, Governor Sydney Edgerton, being on the point of leaving the territory for a few months, appointed General Meagher governor pro tempore. The hostile attitude of the Indians compelled him to take measures to protect the white settlers. While engaged in this duty he fell into the Missouri, from the deck of a steamboat, and was drowned. He was the author of " Speeches on the Legislative Independence of Ireland" (New York, 1852), of which six editions were issued.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 283.


MEANS, Alexander, clergyman, born in Statesville, North Carolina, 6 February, 1801; died in Oxford, Georgia, 5 June, 1883. He was educated at the academy in Statesville, but moved to Georgia about 1822. and, after teaching for four years, attended medical lectures at Transylvania University. In 1826 he began the practice of medicine in Covington, Georgia, and in 1828 was licensed to preach by the Methodist Episcopal Church. He was called to the charge of a manual labor school near Covington in 1834, and on the organization of Emory College, at Oxford, in 1838, he was chosen professor of physical sciences, which chair he held for eighteen years. In 1840 he was appointed professor of chemistry and pharmacy in the Medical College of Georgia, at Augusta, delivering the regular course of lectures there during the winter months in addition to his duties at Emory. He was made president of the Masonic female College in 1853, and in 1854 called to the presidency of Emory, but in 1855 resigned to accept the professorship of chemistry in Atlanta Medical College, which he held for twelve years, including the period of the Civil War. He was a member of the Georgia State Convention in 1861, and opposed the ordinance of secession, but on the passage of that act promptly identified himself with the south. After the Civil War he became state chemist of Georgia at Savannah, and resumed his relations with Emory College as professor of natural philosophy. He received the degree of M. D., from the Medical College of Augusta in 1841, that of D. D. in 1854, and that of LL.D. in 1858 from Emory. His publications include papers on chemistry in the  "Medical and Surgical Journal " and other southern monthly periodicals.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 283.


MEANS, John Hugh, governor of South Carolina, born in Fairfield District, South Carolina, 18 August, 1812; died in Manassas, Virginia, 28 August, 1862. His father, Thomas, was a native of Boston, Massachusetts The son was graduated at South Carolina College in 1832, after which he engaged in planting. His advocacy of state sovereignty brought him into notice, and he served in the legislature during the agitation regarding state rights. He was elected governor of South Carolina in 1850 and served one term, the constitution of the state forbidding re-election. During his administration he made many speeches favoring secession, and gave much attention to the state militia. He was president of the Convention of 1852 which passed a resolution that affirmed the right of the state to dissolve at once all political connection with her co-states and that she forbear the exercise of this manifest right of self-government from considerations of expediency only. He then retired to private life, but was a delegate to the Convention of 1860, affixing his name to the Ordinance of Secession. He was elected colonel of the 17th South Carolina Regiment, and was killed in the second battle of Bull Run, 28 August, 1862.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 283-284.


MEASURES. (See WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.)


MECHANICSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, May 29, 1863. Expeditionary Forces. Major-General Frank P. Blair, commanding an expedition from Haynes' bluff to Mechanicsburg, reported from the latter place on the 29th as follows: "My advance came up with about 400 or 500 of the enemy at this place about 1:30 p. m. today. They were driven back after a slight resistance, and have fled beyond the Big Black river." No mention of casualties. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 589.


MECHANICSBURG, MISSISSIPPI, June 4. 1863. Kimball's Provisional Division. This was an incident of Blair's expedition from Haynes' bluff. Brigadier-General Nathan Kimball debarked his troops at Satartia at 11 a. m. and immediately moved out on the Mechanicsburg road. On the hills just outside of Satartia he encountered the enemy, who fell back, skirmishing sharply, until Mechanicsburg was reached. Here Kimball found the Confederates drawn up in line of battle to offer resistance. One brigade was ordered to attack, and this force was sufficient to dislodge the enemy. Just as the Confederates broke the cavalry came up and took up the pursuit, driving the enemy in confusion toward the Big Black river. The casualties were slight on both sides. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 589-590.


MECHANICSVILLE, VIRGINIA, May 23-24, 1862. 3d Brigade, 2nd Division, 4th Army Corps. Brigadier-General John W. Davidson, commanding the brigade, was ordered about noon on the 23d to move his command up to Mechanicsville to protect General Stoneman's advance, which was to operate on the railroad. Stoneman encountered the enemy near Ellison's mill, about a mile from the town, and after an artillery duel of half an hour silenced their guns. Davidson then crossed the creek, threw out strong pickets and made other preparations to attack the place early the next morning. The attack was made at daylight on the 24th, but was met by a severe fire of artillery and musketry from behind the buildings, trees and hedges. Davidson soon had all his artillery in action and sent back to Stoneman for more. Stoneman sent forward part of Tidball's battery, which, uniting with Davidson's batteries, concentrated their fire and quickly drove the enemy from his cover. Colonel McKean, with the 77th New York, happened to occupy a position favorable to immediate pursuit and entered the town on the heels of the retreating Confederates, capturing a few prisoners and a stand of colors. The pursuit was continued until the enemy crossed the Chickahominy at New Bridge. Davidson's loss was 2 killed and 11 wounded. While this engagement was in progress some of the officers and attaches of the topographical engineers, escorted by a detachment of the 4th Michigan under Colonel Woodbury and a squadron of the 2nd U. S. cavalry, Captain Gordon commanding, started out to make a reconnaissance of the Chickahominy from New Bridge to a point 2 miles above. Near the house of a Mr. Hogan, about half a mile above the bridge, a small body of skirmishers were thrown across the river at a ford, after which the whole line, forming perpendicular to the river, made a dash for the bridge. About 300 yards from the bridge the enemy was encountered, but a charge drove him back. Captain Gordon then charged down to the bridge to cut off the enemy on the opposite side, but on arriving he found the bridge destroyed and the stream not fordable for cavalry. The 4th Michigan was sent across the river under a severe fire and formed in a ditch on the other bank, holding the bridge and driving the Confederates back beyond range of their muskets. The enemy then opened with artillery, and soon afterward, reinforcements coming up, they charged the Michigan men, only to be repulsed with heavy Toss. Woodbury held his position in the ditch until his ammunition was about exhausted, when he gave the order to recross the river. He reported his loss as 1 killed and 7 wounded. The enemy that charged him was the Louisiana Tigers, and their loss was about 150 in killed and wounded and 37 captured. Mechanicsville, Virginia, June 26, 1862. The battle at Mechanicsville on this date marks the beginning of McClellan's change of base to the James river and is treated under the head of the Seven Days' Battles, (q. v.) The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 590.


MECHANICSVILLE, VIRGINIA, May 12, 1864. Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. At 11 p. m. on the 11th the corps, Major-General P. H. Sheridan commanding, moved from Yellow tavern, Wilson's division in advance, for the purpose of crossing the Chickahominy and marching between that stream and the Richmond defenses to the James river. Wilson encountered a small picket soon after crossing the Virginia Central railroad, and about daylight on the 12th, while near Mechanicsville, the division was fired on from the inner line of the Richmond fortifications. Both brigades were dismounted and the batteries placed in position to fire on a line of works about 300 yards distant, from which the enemy had also opened with artillery. A sharp skirmish was kept up for several hours. Gregg was sent to Wilson's support and the two divisions repulsed two sorties from the enemy's works, while the 1st division forced a crossing above Meadow bridge. The whole corps then withdrew to Mechanicsville and from there moved down the north bank of the Chickahominy. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 590-591.


MECHLIN, Joseph, Dr., colonial agent in Africa for the American Colonization Society.  Replaced Dr. Richard Randall, who had died in Africa in April 1829.  Served four years, until 1833.  (Campbell, 1971, pp. 47-50, 64, 72-73; Staudenraus, P. J. The African Colonization Movement, 1816-1865. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 164-167, 207, 222, 226)


MECHUMP'S CREEK, VIRGINIA, May 31, 1864. 3d Division, Cavalry Corps, Army of the Potomac. The division, Brigadier-General J. H. Wilson commanding, left Crump's swamp at sunrise and moved toward Hanover Court House. A body of Confederate cavalry was encountered near Dr. Price's house and the skirmishing at once commenced. After a sharp fight the enemy was driven across Mechump's creek and Wilson posted pickets on the roads, after which he opened communications with the right of the army at Phillips' mill. Casualties slight on both sides. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 591.


MEDARY, Samuel, editor, born in Montgomery Square, Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, 25 February, 1801; died in Columbus. Ohio, 7 November, 1864. The family name was originally spelled Madeira, and is still so pronounced. He was reared in the Quaker faith, his mother's ancestors having emigrated to this country with William Penn. He was sent to the Norristown Academy, and at sixteen years of age became a contributor to the " Norristown Herald," both in prose and poetry. He then taught and continued his studies in the higher branches. In 1820 his family went to Montgomery County, Maryland, and two or three years later to Georgetown, D. C. In 1825 he went to Ohio, and settled in Batavia, Clermont County When he was twenty-six years old he was made county surveyor and school trustee, and later he became auditor of the county. In 1828 he established the "Ohio Sun" to advocate the claims of General Jackson for the presidency. He was elected as a Jackson man to the state house of representatives in 1834, was then sent to the senate, and, after serving two years, moved to Columbus and purchased the " Western Hemisphere," which was afterward changed to the "Ohio Statesman," and which he edited almost continuously till 1857. This paper soon became a power, not only in Ohio but in all the northwest and the south. He supported Jackson in his contests with the U. S. Bank, and advocated his views on the tariff with ability, and probably no man enjoyed the confidence and warm personal esteem of the president to a greater extent than Medary. The cry of " Fifty-four forty, or fight," relative to the Oregon boundary question, is said to have been originated by him, and he became the warm friend of Stephen A. Douglas from his support of that measure. In 1844 he was chairman of the Ohio delegation to the Baltimore Convention. Jackson had written a letter to Mr. Medary asking him in the event of discord to present the name of James K. Polk for the presidency. In the midst of wild excitement Mr. Medary produced this letter with the result that Polk was nominated by acclamation. Mr. Medary declined the office of U. S. minister to Chili in 1853. In 1856 he was temporary chairman of the Cincinnati Convention that nominated James Buchanan, and strongly advocated the nomination of his friend Douglas. He was the last territorial governor of Minnesota in 1857-'8, and of Kansas in 1850-'60. His administrations were eminently successful, particularly in Kansas. The press of both parties in that territory accorded him equal praise. In December, 1860, he resigned and returned to Columbus, Ohio, to establish the "Crisis," which he edited until his death. In his early days he was devoted to horticulture and agriculture, and he was one of the originators of the Ohio State Fairs, being their first treasurer and for several terms president. He also actively aided Samuel F. B. Morse in promoting the electric telegraph. He was known as the " Old wheel-horse of Democracy." One of his characteristics was the ability to write while keeping up a running conversation. In 1869 a monument was erected to his memory in Columbus by the Democrats of Ohio.   Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 284-285.


MEDICAL DEPARTMENT. (See ARMY for its organization.) No person can receive the appointment of assistant-surgeon until he has been examined and approved by an army medical board of not less than three surgeons or assistant-surgeons; and no person can receive the appointment of surgeon unless he shall have served five years as asst.-surgeon, and also have been examined by an army medical board constituted as above; (Act June 30, 1834.) (See AMBULANCE; LITTER; SURGERY.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 409).


MEDICINE, RECIPES, &c., &c. An officer, unless he be a professed physician, need not take a large assortment of drugs. He wants a few powders, ready prepared; which any physician will prescribe for him, such as: 1. Emetic, mild; 2. ditto, very powerful for poison, (sulphate of zinc.) 3. Aperient, mild; 4. ditto, powerful. 5. Cordial for diarrhoea. 6. Quinine for ague. 7. Sudorific, (Dover's powder.) It will save trouble if these be so prepared, that one measureful of each shall be a full average dose for an adult; and if the measure to which they are adapted be cylindrical, and of such a size as just to admit a common lead-pencil, and three-quarters of an inch long, it can at any time be replaced by twisting up a paper-cartridge. In addition to the above powders take cold cream; heart-burn lozenges; lint; a small roll of diachylon; lunar-caustic, in a proper holder, to touch old sores with, and for snake bites; a scalpel and a blunt-pointed bistoury, to open abscesses with, (the blades of these should be waxed, to keep them from rust;) a good pair of forceps, to pull out thorns; a couple of needles, to sew up gashes; waxed thread. A mild effervescing aperient is very convenient. Seidlitz-powders are perhaps a little too strong for frequent use in a tropical climate. The medicines should be kept in zinc pill-boxes, ail of the same diameter, with a few letters punched both on their tops and bottoms, to indicate what they contain, as Emet., Astr., &c.; and the pill-boxes should slip one above another into a long zinc box lined with flannel, and lie there like sovereigns in a rouleau. The sulphate of zinc may be invaluable as an eyewash; for ophthalmia is a scourge in many countries. The taste, which should be strongly astringent, is the best guide to the strength of its solution.

For emetics, drink a charge of gunpowder in a tumblerful of warm water or soap-suds, or even tickle the throat.

Vapor-baths are used in many countries, and the Russian plan of making them is often the most convenient. They heat stones in the fire, and put them on the ground in the middle of their cabin or tent; on these they pour a little water and clouds of vapor are given off. Elsewhere, branches are spread on hot wood-embers, and the patient placed on these, wrapped in a large cloth; water is then sprinkled on the embers, which soon covers the patient with a cloud of vapor. The traveller who is chilled or over-worked, and has a quiet day before him, would do well to practise this simple and pleasant remedy.

Ointment. Simple cerate is equal parts of oil and wax; lard and wax will do.

Seidlitz-powders are made as follows: 1 oz. Carbonate of Soda) 3 oz. Tartarized Soda. For the blue papers. 7 drachms Tartaric Acid For the white papers.

These quantities make 12 sets.

Diseases. Fevers of all kinds, diarrhoea, and rheumatism, are the plagues that most afflict soldiers; ophthalmia often threatens them. Change of air, from the flat country up into the hills, as soon as possible after the first violence of the illness is past, works wonders in hastening and perfecting a cure. With a bad diarrhoea, take nothing but broth, and it may be rice, in very small quantities at a meal, until quite restored. The least piece of bread or meat causes an immediate relapse.

Remedies. A great discovery of modern days is the power of quinine to keep off fever while travelling across a fever district. It is a widely-corroborated fact, that a residence on the banks of the river, or in low land, is often less affected by malaria than the low hills that over- look it. There are certain precautions which should be borne in mind in unhealthy seasons as, never to encamp to the leeward of a marsh; to sleep close in between large fires, with a handkerchief gathered round your face, (natural instinct will teach this;) not to start off too early in. the morning; to avoid unnecessary hunger, hardship, and exposure.

Drowning. A half-drowned man must be put to bed in dry, heated clothes; hot stones, &c., to his feet; his head must be raised moderately. Human warmth is excellent, such as that of two strapping men made to lie close up against him, one on each side. All rough treatment is hurtful.

For Snake-bites, tie a string tight above the part, suck the wound, and apply caustic as soon as you can. Or, for want of caustic, cut away with a knife, and afterwards burn out with the end of your iron-ramrod, heated as near a white heat as you can readily get it. The arteries lie deep, and as much flesh may, without much danger, be cut or burnt into, as the fingers can pinch up. The next step is to use the utmost energy, and even cruelty, to prevent the patient's giving way to that lethargy and drowsiness which is the usual effect of snake- poison, and too often ends in death.

Broken Bones. It is extremely improbable that a man should die, in consequence of a broken leg or arm, if the skin be uninjured but, if the broken end forces its way through the flesh, the injury is a very serious one. Abscesses form, the parts mortify, and the severest consequences often follow. Hence, when a man breaks a bone, do not convert a simple injury into a severe one, by carrying him carelessly. If possible, move the encampment to the injured man, and not vice versa. “When a man has broken his leg, lay him on the other side, put the broken limb exactly on the sound one, with a little straw between, and tie the two legs together with handkerchiefs. Thus, the two legs will move as one, and the broken bone will not hurt the flesh so much, nor yet come through the skin;” (DRUITT.)

Excessive Bleeding. When the blood does not pour or trickle in a steady stream from a deep wound, but in pulses, and is of a bright-red color, all the bandages in the world will not stop it. It is an artery that is wounded; and, unless there be some one accessible who knows how to take it up and tie it, burn deeply into the part, as you would for a snake-bite; or else pour boiling grease into the wound. It is, of course, a barbarous treatment, and far from being sure of success, as the cauterized artery may break out afresh; still, life is in question, and it is the only hope of saving it. After the cautery, the wounded man's limb should be kept perfectly still, and well raised, and cool, until the wound is nearly healed. A tourniquet, which will stop the blood for a time, is made by tying a strong thong, string, or handkerchief, firmly above the part, putting a stick through and screwing it tight. If you know whereabouts the artery lies which it is the object to compress, put a stone over the place and under the handkerchief. The main arteries follow pretty much the direction of the inner seams of the coat sleeves and trousers.

To cure blistered Feet. “Rub the feet at going to bed with spirits mixed with tallow dropped from a candle into the palm of the hand; on the following morning no blister will exist. The spirits seem to possess the healing power, the tallow serving only to keep the skin soft and pliant. This is Captain Cochrane's advice, and the remedy was used by him in his pedestrian tour; “(MURRAY'S Handbook of Switzerland.) The receipt is excellent; all pedestrians and all teachers of gymnastics endorse it, and it cannot be too widely known. To prevent the feet from blistering, it is a good plan to soap the inside of the stocking before setting out, making a good lather all over it; and a raw egg broken into a boot, before putting it on, greatly softens the leather. After some hours' walking, when the feet are beginning to be chafed, take off the shoes, and change the stockings; putting what was the right stocking on the left foot, and the left stocking on the right foot. Or, if one foot only hurts, take off the boot, and turn the stocking inside out.

Rarefied Air. On high plateaux or mountains, travellers must suffer somewhat. The symptoms are described by many South American travellers, where it is called the puna. The disorder is sometimes fatal to stout plethoric people; oddly enough, cats are unable to endure it. At villages 13,000 feet above the sea, Dr. Tscudi says that they cannot live. Numerous trials have been made, but the creatures die in frightful convulsions. The symptoms of the puna are giddiness, dimness of sight and hearing, headache, fainting-fits, blood from mouth, eyes, nose, lips, and a feeling like sea-sickness. Nothing but time cures it. It begins to be felt at from 12,000 to 13,000 feet above the sea. M. Hermann Schlagintweit whose large mountain experience in the Alps and in the Himalaya, up to the height of 20,000 feet or more, is only paralleled by that of his brother says that he found the headache, &c., to come on when there was a breeze, far more than at any other time. His whole party would awake at the same moment, and begin to complain of the symptoms, immediately on the commencement of a breeze. The symptoms of overwork are not wholly unlike those of the puna, and many young travellers who have felt the first, have ascribed them to the second.

Snow-blindness. In civilized life blue spectacles are, as is well known, an indispensable accompaniment to snow-mountain expeditions. The Esquimaux adopt the following equivalent: They cut a piece of soft wood to the curvature of the face. It is about two inches thick, and extends horizontally quite across both eyes, and rests on the nose, where a notch is cut to act in the same way as the bridge of a pair of spectacles. This is tied behind the ears. Next a long narrow slit, of the thickness of a thin saw-cut, is made along its middle almost from end to end. Through this slit the wearer can see very fairly. It is narrower than the diameter of the pupil of his eye, and, consequently, the light that reaches his retina is much diminished in quantity.

Scurvy. Any vegetable diet cures it: lime-juice, treacle, raw potatoes, and acid fruits are especially efficacious. Dr. Kane insists on the value of meat, eaten entirely raw, as a certain anti-scorbutic. It is generally used by the Esquimaux.

Teeth. Tough diet tries the teeth so severely that a man about to undergo it had much better pay a visit to a dentist before he leaves.

Suffering from Thirst. Pour water over the clothes of the man, and keep them constantly wet; restrain his drinking, after the first few minutes, as strictly as you can summon heart to do it. In less severe cases, drink water with a tea-spoon; it will satisfy a parched palate as much as if you gulped it down in tumblerfuls, and will disorder the digestion much less.


Suffering from Hunger. Two or three mouthfuls every quarter of an hour is, to a man in the last extremity, the best thing; and strong broth the best food.

Wasp and Scorpion-stings. The oil scraped out of a tobacco-pipe is good; should the scorpion be large, his sting must be treated like a snake-bite.

Poisoning. The first thing is to give a powerful emetic, to throw up whatever poison may still remain unabsorbed in the stomach. Use soap-suds or gunpowder, if proper emetics are not at hand. If there be violent pains and griping, or retchings, give plenty of water to make the vomitings more easy. Nothing now remains to be done but to resist the symptoms that are caused by the poison which was absorbed before the emetic acted. Thus if the man's feet are cold and numbed, put hot stones against them and wrap him up warmly. If he be drowsy, heavy, and stupid, give brandy, and try to rouse him. There is nothing more to be done, save to avoid doing mischief.

Fleas. “Italian flea-powder,” sold in the East, is really efficacious. It is made from the “ Pire oti,” (or flea-bean,) mentioned in CURZON'S Armenia, as growing in that country. It is powdered and sold as a specific.

Vermin on the Person.  “We had now been travelling for nearly six weeks, and still wore the same clothing we had assumed on our departure. The incessant pricklings with which we were harassed, sufficiently indicated that our attire was peopled with the filthy vermin to which the Chinese and Tartars are familiarly accustomed, but which, with Europeans, are objects of horror and disgust. Before quitting Tchagan-Kouren, we had bought in a chemist's shop a few sapeks'-worth of mercury. We now made with it a prompt and specific remedy against the lice. We had formerly got the receipt from some Chinese; and, as it may be useful to others, we think it right to describe it here. You take half an ounce of mercury, which you mix with old tea-leaves previously reduced to paste by mastication. To render this softer you generally add saliva; water could not have the same effect. You must afterwards bruise and stir it awhile, so that the mercury may be divided into little balls as fine as dust. (I presume that blue pill is a pretty exact equivalent to this preparation.) You infuse this composition into a string of cotton, loosely twisted, which you hang round the neck; the lice are sure to bite at the bait, and they thereupon as surely swell, become red, and die forthwith. In China and in Tartary you have to renew this salutary necklace once a month; (Hue's Travels in Tartary.) GALTON'S Art of Travel. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 409-414).


MEDILL, Joseph, journalist, born in New Brunswick, Canada. 6 April, 1823. His father moved in 1832 to Stark County, Ohio, where the son worked on a farm, subsequently studied law, and practised at Massillon. He founded a Free-Soil paper at Coshocton in 1849, established "The Leader," a Whig journal, at Cleveland in 1852, and in 1854 was one of the organizers of the Republican Party in Ohio. Soon afterward he went to Chicago, and with two partners bought, in May, 1855, the "Tribune," with which he has since been identified. He was a member of the Illinois Constitutional Convention in 1870, and the author of a minority representation clause. In 1871 he was a member of the U. S. Civil Service Commission, and  was elected mayor of Chicago. He spent a year in Europe in 1873-'4, and on his return purchased a controlling interest in the "Tribune," of which he became and continues editor-in-chief.   Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 285.


MEDILL, William, governor of Ohio, born in New Castle County, Delaware, in 1805; died in Lancaster, Ohio, 2 September, 1865. He studied law, and in 1832 was admitted to the bar of Lancaster, Ohio, to which state he had previously moved. He was soon afterward elected to the legislature, served several years, was twice speaker, and in 1838 was elected to Congress as a Democrat, serving till 1843. He was First Assistant Postmaster in 1845-'9, then became Commissioner of Indian Affairs, and in 1850 was chairman of the Ohio Constitutional Convention. He was lieutenant-governor of the state in 1851-3, and governor in 1853-'6. During Buchanan's administration he was First Comptroller of the U. S. Treasury.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 285


MEDLEY, WEST VIRGINIA, January 30, 1864. 23d Illinois Infantry and 4th West Virginia Cavalry. Lieutenant-Colonel James Quirk with the 23d Illinois, forming the advance of a force guarding a wagon train, was attacked by the enemy at Medley and compelled to fall slowly back. When the 4th West Virginia, came up Colonel Joseph Snider assumed command and succeeded in holding the Confederates in check for an hour and a half, but was finally driven back. The teamsters and train-masters meantime became alarmed, and cutting the harness of the draft horses used them to make their escape, leaving the wagons without means of being moved. The enemy burned about 40 and carried off the remainder. The Federal loss in the engagement was 5 killed, 34 wounded and 35 captured or missing. The Confederate casualties were 25 killed and wounded, by Early's report, to whose force the attacking party belonged. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 591.


MEDON, TENNESSEE, August 13, 1862. Tennessee Home Guards. Brigadier General Leonard F. Ross in a despatch to Major-General McClernand states: "A skirmish took place at 1 o'clock today between a guerrilla band and a company of 18 Home Guards about 8 miles southeast of Medon." One Union man was killed, and the Confederate loss was not known. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 591.


MEDON, TENNESSEE, August 31, 1862. 45th Illinois and 7th Missouri Infantry. After the repulse of the Confederates at Bolivar they attacked Federal detachments along the line of the Mississippi Central railroad. These detachments being small concentrated at Medon, where about 3 p. m. of the 31st the enemy attacked in force, but was held in check by the 45th Illinois until the arrival by train of the 7th Missouri The latter regiment charged and drove the Confederates from the town, killing several and capturing a number of prisoners. No loss was reported on the Federal side. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 591.


MEEK, Alexander Beaufort, jurist, born in Columbia, South Carolina, 17 July, 1814; died in Columbus, Mississippi, 30 November, 1865. He was educated at the University of Alabama, admitted to the bar in 1835, and in the same year edited a newspaper at Tuscaloosa. He was lieutenant of volunteers in the Seminole War, and at the close of the campaign was appointed Attorney-General of Alabama, but soon resigned and resumed practice. He was judge of the county court of Tuscaloosa in 1842-'4, and during that time prepared a supplement to Aiken's "Digest of Alabama." He was associate editor of the "Mobile Register" in 1848-"52, and in 1853 served in the legislature, where he secured the establishment of a free-school system in the state. He was a presidential elector on the Democratic ticket in 1856, served in the legislature again in 1850, and was chosen speaker. His later years were devoted chiefly to literary pursuits. His publications include "Red Eagle (New York, 1855); "Songs and Poems of the South" (1857); and "Romantic Passages in Southwestern History" (1857). He left an unfinished "History of Alabama." His best-known poem is one on "The Charge at Balaklava Virginia"  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 286.


MEIGS, Montgomery Cunningham, soldier, born in Augusta, Georgia, 3 May, 1816, studied at the University of Pennsylvania, and was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1836 with an appointment in the artillery, but in 1837 was transferred to the Corps of Engineers. He was advanced to 1st lieutenant in 1838 and to captain in 1853. Meanwhile he was occupied in the building of Fort Delaware, in the improvement of harbors in Delaware River and Bay, and in various other works along the Atlantic Coast until 1841, when he became superintending engineer of the construction of Forts Wayne, Porter, Niagara, and Ontario, and so continued during 1841-'9. He then spent the year 1849-'50 in Washington, D. C, in the Engineer Bureau, after which he served again as superintending engineer on the building of Fort Montgomery, where he was sent in 1852, but his orders were changed to Washington, D. C, and he was given control of the survey for the aqueduct before he took charge of this work. In November, 1852, he returned to Washington, under orders to take charge of designing and constructing the Potomac Aqueduct, also superintending the building of the new wings and iron dome of the capitol extension, and the extension of the U. S. general post-office, and completion of Fort Madison in Annapolis, Maryland. He was sent to Florida in October, 1860, to take charge of the building of Fort Jefferson, but in 1861 was appointed to organize an expedition to relieve Fort Pickens. Florida, which was besieged by the Confederate forces. On 14 May, 1861, he was promoted to colonel of the 11th U.S. Infantry, and on the 15th was made quartermaster-general of the U. S. Army with the rank of brigadier-general, which post he continued to hold until his retirement in 1882. During the Civil War he was engaged in directing the equipment and supply of the armies in the field, generally from headquarters in Washington, although he was present at the battle of Bull Run in July, 1861, and during 1863-'4 was specially engaged in providing transportation and supplies for the forces at Chattanooga, being present during the investment and bombardment of that city, and the subsequent battle in November, 1863. During the Overland Campaign in 1864 he had, by orders of the War Department, for a short time personal charge of the base of supplies of the Army of the Potomac at Fredericksburg and Belle Plain. He commanded a brigade of quartermasters men and other troops during the threatened invasion of Washington in July, 1864, and was brevetted major-general on 5 July, 1864. Subsequently he visited Savannah, Georgia, supplying and refitting the army under General William T. Sherman, and shipping captured stores, after which he was in Goldsborough, North Carolina, during March, 1865, directing the opening of communications for again supplying General Sherman's armies. After the war he continued in Washington, and in connection with the duties of his office inspected the workings of the department under his control in Texas and the southwest in 1869-70, in California and Arizona in 1871—'2, the western posts and railroad routes in 1872, and in California and Columbia in 1873-'4. He visited Europe in 1867-8 for his health, and again in 1875-'6, on special service, to study the constitution and government of European armies, and then was made a member of the commission for reform and reorganization of the army in 1876. General Meigs has also been a member of the board to prepare plans and specifications for the new War Department Building in 1866, the new building for the National Museum in 1876, and in preparing a plan for a hall of records in 1878. Since his retirement he has been architect of the building for the Pension Bureau in Washington, which was completed during 1887. He is a regent of the Smithsonian Institution, and a member of various scientific societies, including the National Academy of Sciences, to which he was chosen in 1865. He has published annual reports of the Quartermasters' Department in 1861-'82, and other government reports. " Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 289-290.


MEIGS, John Rodgers, soldier, born in Washington, D. C, 9 February, 1842: died near Harrisonburg, Virginia, 3 October, 1864, was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1863, standing first in his class, and entered the army as 1st lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers. He served as engineer on the staffs of various commanders during the, campaigns in Maryland and at Harper's Ferry, and as aide-de-camp to General Philip H. Sheridan during the Shenandoah Valley Campaign in 1864. For the battles of Opequan and Fisher's Hill he received the brevets of captain and major. He attained the office of chief engineer of the Army of the Shenandoah, and while making a military reconnaissance was shot by guerillas. [Son of Quartermaster General Montgomery C. Meigs].  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 290.


MELINE, James Florant, author, born in Sackett's Harbor, New York, in 1811; died in Brooklyn, New York, 14 August, 1873. His father was a French officer in the U. S. Army. The son was graduated at Mount St. Mary's College, Emmettsburg, Maryland; and after teaching for some time in Cincinnati, Ohio, studied law, and was admitted to the bar. He afterward studied for three years in Europe, and held different U. S. consulships there. On his return he was for several years a banker in Cincinnati, was connected with the "Catholic Telegraph" in that city, and was French consul there a short time before the Civil War. He served during the war, chiefly on the staff of General John Pope, first as major and judge-advocate and afterward as colonel. After the war he was chief of the Bureau of Civil Affairs in the 3d Military District. Subsequently he was employed by the government in connection with the Freedmen's Bureau in Georgia, and during that time was a correspondent of the New York "Tribune." His later years he devoted to literature. He was a regular contributor to the " Catholic World," in which his vindication of Mary, Queen of Scots, in answer to James Anthony Fronde, first appeared. He also wrote for the “ Galaxy," and at the time of his death was completing a series of articles on Savonarola, three of which have been published. His principal works are "Two Thousand Miles on Horseback " (New York, 1867); "Commercial Travelling " Cambridge. 1869); " Mary, Queen of Scots, and her latest English Historian " (New York, 1871); and a "Life of Sixtus the Fifth " (1871).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 292.


MELL, Patrick Hues, educator, born in Walthourville, Georgia, 19 July, 1814; died in Athens, Georgia, 26 January, 1888. His parents died when he was a boy, leaving him without means for his support, but with an elementary education. He spent two years at Amherst, in 1833-'5, but left before graduation, and taught for several years in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Georgia. In 1842 he was elected to the professorship of ancient languages in Mercer University. After thirteen years of service he was called to the same professorship in the state University at Athens. In 1860 he was transferred to the chair of metaphysics and ethics, which he held until his death. In 1878 he was elected chancellor of the university and ex-officio president of the State College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts. Dr. Mell was a clergyman of the Baptist denomination, to whose ministry he was ordained in 1842. In connection with his educational work he had pastoral charge of various churches. He was president of the Southern Baptist Convention, to which post he was regularly elected during a long term of years. During the Civil War he was in the Confederate service, and was elected colonel of a regiment. He received the degree of D. D., from the University of Georgia in 1858, and that of L.L. D. from Howard College, Alabama, in 1869. Dr. Mell is the author of "Baptism" (Charleston, South Carolina, 1852); "Corrective Church Discipline" (1860); a treatise on " Parliamentary Practice" (Atlanta. Georgia, 1868); "The Philosophy of Prayer" (New York, 1875); and "Church Polity" (Atlanta, 1878). Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 292.


MELLEN, Prentiss, 1764-1840, lawyer.  U.S. Senator from Maine, 1818-1820.  Chief Justice, Maine Supreme Court, 1820-1834.  First President of the Portland Anti-Slavery Society in 1833.  (Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 292; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 6, Pt. 2, p. 517)


MELLEN, Prentiss, jurist, born in Sterling, Massachusetts, 11 October. 1764; died in Portland, Maine, 31 December, 1840, was graduated at Harvard in 1784, studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1786. He began practice at Bridgewater, Massachusetts, moved in 1792 to Biddeford, and in 1806 to Portland. Massachusetts (afterward Maine), and was a member of the executive council of Massachusetts in 1800-'9 and 1817. He was elected U. S. Senator from Massachusetts in place of Eli P. Ashmun, who had resigned, and served from 16 November, 1818, till 15 May, 1820, when he resigned in consequence of the separation of Maine from Massachusetts. He was elected the first chief justice of the new state, and served from 1820 till 1834. when he was disqualified by age. He afterward practised law at Portland, Maine Judge Mellen was a trustee of Bowdoin from 1817 till 1836. His judicial decisions are published in the first eleven volumes of the "Maine Reports."   Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 292.


MELVILLE, George Wallace, engineer, born in New York City, 10 January, 1841. He was educated in his native city, and entered the U. S. Navy in July, 1861, as third assistant engineer, with rank of midshipman, and has passed through all the intermediate grades to that of chief engineer, with the rank of lieutenant-commander, which he attained in 1881. He was engineer of the "Jeannette," which sailed from San Francisco, 8 July, 1879, under the command of Lieutenant George W. De Long with the object of discovering an opening to the supposed polar sea by a northeast passage near Wrangel land. After the sinking of the "Jeannette," 13 June, 1881, Engineer Melville accompanied De Long over the ice to Bennett Island, and after the party divided. Lieutenant John W. Danenhower being disabled, commanded one of the "Jeannette's" boats on the subsequent perilous passage to one of the eastern mouths of the Lena Delta, which was reached on 17 September, 1881. He now searched for Lieutenant De Long and his party, and discovered some of the huts where De Long had stayed, and obtained from the natives certain of his records. In the following spring Melville explored the delta thoroughly for traces of the missing party, and about the end of March the remains of De Long and his eleven companions were found. Melville subsequently returned to the United States, and was appointed chief of the Bureau of Steam-Engineers, with the rank of commodore, 8 August, 1887, and engineer-in-chief of the U. S. Navy. He is the author of "In the Lena Delta" (Boston, 1885).   Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 293.


MELVILLE. Herman, author, born in New York City, 1 August, 1819. His grandfather, Major Thomas Melville (1751-1832). was a member of the Boston Tea-Party, served in the Revolution, and is supposed to have been the last American that adhered through life to the cocked hat. His maternal grandfather was Peter Gansevoort (q. v.). His father, Allan, was a merchant, who travelled widely and cultivated literary tastes. Herman shipped as a sailor before the mast in 1837 for a voyage to Liverpool. Four years later he sailed round Cape Horn in the "Dolly" for a whaling cruise in the South Pacific. But the treatment of the captain was so harsh, and the state of affairs on board was so bad in every respect, that Melville and a companion resolved to leave the ship. While she lay in the harbor of Nukahiva, in the Marquesas Islands, in the summer of 1842, they made their escape. The island, about twenty miles long by ten miles broad, and is mountainous rising nearly 4,000 feet, with alternate ridges and valleys radiating to the sea. One of these valleys is inhabited by the Typees, a war-like tribe of cannibals, and the next by the Happars, a friendly tribe. Commodore David Porter (q. v.), while refitting his ships here in 1813-'14, had taken part with the Happars in a war against the Typees. which he described in his published journal. Melville and his companion, with great labor and many narrow escapes, climbed the mountains, intending to descend into the Happar Valley, but lost their way and finally found themselves among the Typees. While still uncertain where they were, they were surrounded by a group of savage chiefs, one of whom sternly demanded whether they were friendly to Happar or to Typee. "I paused for a second," writes Melville, " and I know not by what impulse it was that I answered Typee.' The piece of dusky statuary nodded in approval, and then murmured ' Mortarkee' [good ?] 'Mortarkee.' said I. without further hesitation—'Typee mortarkee.' The dark figures around us leaped to their feet, clapped their hands in transport, and shouted again and again the talismanic syllables, the utterance of which appeared to have settled everything." Melville was held in captivity for four months, treated in most respects as an honored guest, but constantly watched to prevent his escape. His companion soon got away, and at length Melville himself was rescued. An Australian whaler, short of men, visited the harbor of Nukahiva, where the captain learned that there was an American sailor in the Typee valley, and accepted the offer of a native to obtain him. The native made his way to Melville, and guided him to the beach, where a boat from the whaler was in waiting, and Melville was taken off after a bloody fight, he spent, two years more in the Pacific, and on his return home published "Typee: a Peep at Polynesian Life during a Four Months' Residence in a Valley of the Marquesas" (New York and London, 1846). This work, in which the story of his romantic captivity is told with remarkable vividness, had an immediate success and rapidly passed through several editions. It was dedicated to Chief-Justice Lemuel Shaw, of Massachusetts, whose daughter Mr. Melville afterward married. He moved to Pittsfield, Massachusetts, in 1850, but subsequently returned to New York and was appointed to a place in the custom-house. His remaining works are " Omoo, a Narrative of Adventures in the South Seas" (1847); "Mardi, and a Voyage Thither," a philosophical romance (1848); “Redburn." a novel (1848); "White-Jacket, or the World in a Man-of-War" (1850); "Moby Dick, or the White Whale" (1851); "Pierre, or the Ambiguities" (1852); "Israel Potter, his Fifty Years of Exile" (1855); "The Piazza Tales" (1856); "The Confidence Man" (1857); "Battle-Pieces, and Aspects of the War," a volume of poems (1866); and "Clarel, a Pilgrimage in the Holy Land." a poem (2 vols., 1876).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 293-294.


MELVILLE, MISSOURI, June 14, 1864. Citizen Guards. A band of 75 bushwhackers entered Melville about sunrise, surprised the citizen guards and the few militia in the town, and killed several of them. After sacking the town the outlaws set fire to the buildings and left. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 591.


MEMBERS. (See COURT-MARTIAL.)


MEMBERS, (SUPERNUMERARY.) In case supernumerary members are detailed for a court-martial, they are sworn, and it is right that they should sit and be present at all deliberations even when the court is cleared, in order to be prepared to take the place of any absent member. Until then they have no voice; ( HOUGH.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 414).


MEMMINGER, Charles Gustavus, financier, born in Würtemberg, Germany, 9 January, 1803. His mother, a widow, emigrated to Charleston, South Carolina, when he was an infant, and soon died. He was placed in an orphan asylum, but at the age of nine was adopted by Governor Thomas Bennett. He was graduated at the South Carolina College in 1820, began to practice law in Charleston in 1825, and was a leader of the Union Party during the nullification excitement. He published "The Book of Nullification " (1832-'3), satirizing the advocates of the doctrine in biblical style. In 1836 he was elected to the legislature, where he opposed the suspension of specie payments by the banks in 1839. He assisted the attorney-general in the prosecution of the principal case, which resulted in a decision that the banks had forfeited their charters. For nearly twenty years he was at the head of the finance committee in the lower house of the legislature, from which he retired in 1852. He was again returned in 1854, having become particularly interested in the reformation of the public-school system. In 1859 he was a commissioner from South Carolina to Virginia to secure co-operation against the movements of abolitionists. He was appointed secretary of the Confederate Treasury in February, 1861, and resigned in June, 1864. Since the Civil War he has lived in retirement.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 294-295


MEMPHIS, MISSOURI, July 18, 1862. 2nd Missouri Cavalry and 11th Missouri Infantry (Militia). About noon detachments of these two regiments, under Major John Y. Clopper, encountered the combined Confederate forces of Porter and Dunn, and after a desperate fight of over 3 hours the enemy was routed. In the pursuit the Federals were drawn into an ambush, which resulted in the loss of 83 killed or wounded. The enemy's loss was not learned. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 591.


MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, June 6, 1862. U. S. Gunboats Benton, Carondelet, Lou1sville, Cairo and St. Louis; Rams Monarch and Queen of the West, and Fitch's Brigade. Fort Pillow was evacuated by the Confederates on the 4th and the fleet, commanded by Flag-Officer C. H. Davis, accompanied by the rams under command of Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr., dropped down the river to Memphis. There the Confederates had a fleet of 8 vessels, viz: the M. Jeff Thompson, Lovell. Little Rebel, Sumter, General Price. General Beauregard, General Bragg and the Van Dorn, all under the command of Captain J. E. Montgomery. About 5:30 a. m. on the 6th the Thompson and Lovell were encountered a short distance above the landing. The Union gunboats formed for the attack with the rams in advance, and moved on the enemy. Both rams struck the Lovell in quick succession and sunk her with most of her crew in the middle of the river. A shell set fire to the Thompson, causing her commander to run her to the bank, where she burned to the water's edge. The Beauregard, through being badly handled, ran into the Price and tore off one of her wheels. While the two boats were thus tangled up they were both sunk by the rams. The Little Rebel, Montgomery's flag-ship, was pierced by a solid shot below the water line and another passed through her boilers, compelling the crew to take to the water. The Sumter and Bragg ran aground and were captured. The Van Dorn and a store-boat called the Paul Jones succeeded in making their escape. By 7 o'clock the fleet was annihilated and Davis sent a communication to the mayor of the city demanding its surrender to the Federal authorities. This request was promptly complied with and at 3 p. m. Colonel Fitch took formal possession of the city. During the engagement the banks of the river were lined with spectators, many of whom were silently praying for the triumph of the Union fleet. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 591-592.


MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, August 21, 1864. Troops of the District of Mem phis. About 4 a. m. three brigades of Forrest's cavalry approached Memphis after a forced march from Oxford. About a third of the force was detached to dash over the pickets and into the city, while the remainder engaged the Union troops encamped outside. The pickets were easily driven back and a body of 100-days' men was dispersed. An attempt to take the officers of the garrison failed, and meantime the provost-guard rallied and drove out the Confederates who had entered the city. The fight on the outskirts lasted until o a. m., when Forrest retired on the Hernando road. The Federal loss was 15 killed, 65 wounded and 116 captured or missing. Forrest in a telegram placed his loss at 20 killed and wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 592.


MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, September 12, 1864. Patrol from 2nd Cavalry Division. District of West Tennessee. As a patrol from Memphis was approaching a bridge 12 miles out it was attacked by some 200 Confederates on both flanks and the front. The Federals soon learned that the enemy was too strong for them and broke for the swamp. They arrived in camp, having lost 2 men killed, 2 missing and 1 wounded. Memphis, Tennessee, October .4. 1864. One company 7th Indiana Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 592.


MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE, December 14. 1864. (See Germantown Road, same date.)


MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE. February 9, 1865. Detachments of 2nd Arkansas, 2nd Missouri, and 1st Iowa Cavalry. Lieutenant L. N. Garrett, commanding the escort of a wood train, was attacked by a superior force of Confederate cavalry as soon as his command reached the woodyard and after a fight of a few minutes was driven back, the enemy capturing the wagons and mules. Pursuit was made as quickly as word reached the main camp, but it was of no avail. Garrett reported 1 man killed, 5 wounded and 6 captured in the encounter, while the Confederates were known to have had 1 man killed. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 592.


MENDENHALL, George, physician, born in Sharon. Pennsylvania, 5 May, 1814; died in Cincinnati. Ohio, 4 June, 1874. He studied medicine in Salem, Ohio, and was graduated at the medical department of the University of Pennsylvania in 1835. He settled in Cincinnati in 1843, and there acquired a large practice, making a specialty of obstetrics, in which he held a high rank. He was professor of that branch in the Miami Medical College, where he was also dean. On the organization of the U. S. Sanitary Commission, at the beginning of the Civil War, he was one of the associate his wife's aid, he rendered valuable services to the work of that body. After the close of the war they continued their philanthropic work in other directions, and were distinguished for their charitable labors. Dr. Mendenhall was a fellow of the Royal Obstetric Society in England, and in 1870 was president of the American Medical Association. In 1854, with other physicians, he established the " Cincinnati Observer" and also contributed to other medical journals. He was the author of "The Medical Student's Vade-Mecum" (Philadelphia, 1852). Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 296.


MERCER, Charles Fenton, 1778-1858, Leesburg, Virginia, soldier, political leader, opponent of slavery.  Vice President, American Colonization Society, 1834-1841, Director, 1839-1840, life member.  Called the “American Wilberforce.”  Introduced a bill in the U.S. Congress for the federal government to “make such regulations and arrangements, as he deem expedient, for safeguarding, support and removal of” the Africans in the United States.  $100,000 was appropriated by the bill.  It became the Slave Trade Act of 1819.  It became law on March 4, 1819. 

(Dumond, 1961, p. 61; Mason, 2006, pp. 124-125, 269; Rodriguez, 2007, p. 163; Staudenraus, P. J. The African Colonization Movement, 1816-1865. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 31, 48, 50-51, 70, 73, 176-178, 184, 207, 307; Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 300; Dictionary of American Biography,

MERCER, Charles Fenton, soldier, born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, 6 June, 1778; died in Howard, near Alexandria, Virginia, 4 May, 1858. He was graduated at Princeton in 1797, and commissioned captain of cavalry the next year by General Washington, in anticipation of war with France, but subsequently studied law, and after a tour abroad in 1802-'3, practised his profession. He was a member of the Virginia Legislature in 1810-'17, and during the war of 1812 was aide to the governor and in command of the defences of Norfolk, with the rank of brigadier-general. He was chairman of the committee on finances in the legislature in 1816, and introduced the bill for the construction of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, of which he became president. He was elected to Congress as a Federalist in this year, and returned till 1840, a longer period of continued service than that of any of his contemporaries. He was an active protectionist, and an opponent of slavery. He visited Europe in 1853 and conferred with eminent men of several countries in the interests of abolition. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 300.


MERCER, Margaret, 1791-1846, Lynchburg, Virginia, abolitionist, anti-slavery activist, reformer, educator.  Active supporter of the American Colonization Society in Lynchburg.  Slaveholder who freed her slaves in 1846 and paid their way to Liberia.  Raised money for colonization.  Daughter of the Governor of Maryland, John Francis Mercer. 

(Burin, 2005, pp. 34, 38, 39, 60, 67, 103-104, 115; Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 301; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 6, Pt. 2, p. 546; Staudenraus, P. J. The African Colonization Movement, 1816-1865. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, pp. 110-231; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 15, p. 331)

MERCER, Margaret, born in Annapolis. Maryland, in 1792; died in Virginia in June, 1840, voluntarily reduced herself from affluence to poverty by freeing her slaves and sending them to Liberia, and she subsequently taught for twenty years in Virginia. She prepared two volumes for her pupils, “Studies for Bible Classes" and " Ethics, a Series of Lectures to Young Ladies." See memoir of her, by Caspar Morris (Philadelphia, 1848).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 301


MERCHANT, Charles Spencer, soldier, born in Albany, New York, 22 February, 1795; died in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, 6 December, 1879. His father, George, was a graduate of Princeton, a paymaster in the army in the War of 1812-'15, subsequently mayor of Albany, and treasurer of the state of New York. The son was appointed to the recently established U. S. Military Academy. 7 September. 1812, and was the first cadet that presented himself there. He was graduated in 1814, assigned to the Corps of Artillery, and during the war with Great Britain was engaged in garrison and recruiting service. He was promoted 1st lieutenant, 20 April, 1818, and with thirty soldiers escorted General James Miller to Eastport, Maine, where the British garrison of Fort Sullivan was relieved, and Merchant was left in command. At the reorganization of the army, on 1 June, 1821, he was retained as 1st lieutenant in the 2d U.S. Artillery, and on 20 April, 1828, received the brevet of captain for faithful service for ten years in one grade. During the disturbances on the orders of Canada in 1838-'41 he was stationed at northern frontier posts, and during the latter part of the war with Mexico he was in command of Fort Brown, on the Rio Grande. On 14 February, 1849, he was promoted major of the 3d U.S. Artillery. He was with his regiment in December, 1853, on board the steamer "San Francisco" when she was wrecked off Cape Hatteras, and suffered from the effects for several years. On 10 June, 1857, he was promoted lieutenant-colonel of the 3d U.S. Artillery, which he rejoined in California, remaining there until 1861. On 27 August of that year he was promoted colonel of the 4th Artillery, and he was subsequently placed in command of Fort Washington, on the Potomac, until he was retired from active service, 1 August, 1863. Notwithstanding his retirement, he remained on active duty at Bedloe's Island, New York Harbor, and on courts-martial until 1869. On 13 March, 1865, he received the brevet of brigadier-general "for long and faithful service in the army." At the time of his death he was the senior officer of the army in date of original commission, and president of the Association of Graduates of West Point.—His son Charles George, soldier, born in Portsmouth, New Hampshire, 10 March, 1821 ; died in East Pascagoula, Mississippi, 4 September, 1855, was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1843, and assigned to the 8th U.S. Infantry. He was made 2d lieutenant, 9 May 1840, brevet 1st lieutenant" for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battle of Molino del Rey," 8 September, 1847, brevet captain for Chapultepec, 13 September, 1847, and 1st lieutenant. 2 August, 1848.  His death was caused by a wound that he received in Indian hostilities in Florida.—Another son, Clarke, naval officer, born in Savannah, Georgia, 20 September, 1830, was graduated at the U. S. Naval Academy in 1857, and promoted successive, and lieutenant-commander, 3 March, 1865. In the early part of the Civil War he was stationed at the Washington U.S. Navy-yard and attached to the " Pensacola," and during the latter part was acting executive officer of the “Roanoke" in James River. Just as the war was closing he was ordered to the Naval Academy as executive officer of the "Constitution" and " Santic." He resigned on 10 August, 1805, and engaged in mercantile business in Philadelphia.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 301-302


MERCUR, Ulysses, jurist, born in Towanda, Bradford County, Pennsylvania, 12 August, 1818; died in Wallingford, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, 6 June, 1887. He was a son of Henry and Mary Watts Mercur. During his early life he worked on his father's farm and afterward spent three years in his brother's store as a clerk. He was graduated at Jefferson College in 1841 with the first honors of his class, studied law under Thomas T. McKennan and Edward Overton, was admitted to the Bradford county bar, and soon achieved a high reputation. In 1861 he was a presidential elector on the Lincoln ticket. When David Wilmot was chosen U. S. Senator, he resigned as president judge of the 13th District and Mr. Mercur was appointed as his successor. At the next election he was chosen for ten years, but he resigned in 1865 and was four times successively elected to Congress. He was active in the legislation of the war and of the reconstruction period. During the eighth year of his term in the House he was chosen a justice of the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and he resigned from Congress, 2 December, 1872. On 1 January, 1883, he became under the constitution chief justice, which post he held at the time of his death. His judicial opinions, in the Pennsylvania State Reports, from 1873 till 1887, are distinguished by learning, sound judgment, and clear and forcible language.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 302-303.


MEREDITH, Solomon, soldier, born in Guilford County, North Carolina, 29 May, 1810; died in Cambridge City, Indiana, 21 October, 1875. At the age of nineteen he went to Wayne County, Indiana, and by manual labor earned enough to give himself an education. In 1840 he moved to Cambridge City. He was chosen sheriff of his county in 1834 and 1836, thrice elected to the legislature in 1846-'8, and in 1849 became U. S. Marshal for the District of Indiana. In 1854 he was again chosen to the legislature. In July, 1861, he became colonel of the 19th Indiana Regiment, which saw its first service in Virginia, and lost half its effective force at Gainesville, where Colonel Meredith was wounded. He was promoted brigadier-general of volunteers on 6 October, 1862, and commanded what was known throughout the war as the Iron Brigade. Under his leadership this brigade forced a crossing of the Rappahannock in April, 1863, receiving special thanks in general orders, took part in the battle of Chancellorsville, and opened the battle of Gettysburg, where General Meredith was wounded again and disabled till November, 1863. He was ordered to the command of Cairo, Illinois, early in 1864. and in September to a similar post in Paducah, Kentucky, which he retained till the close of the war. On 14 August, 1865, he was brevetted major-general of volunteers. In 1867-'9 he was surveyor-general of Montana, and he then retired to "Oakland Farm" near Cambridge City, Indiana, where he devoted himself to raising fine stock, and dispensed a generous hospitality. He was also a pioneer in improved methods of agriculture. General Meredith was six feet six inches in height, of commanding presence, and a ready speaker. He was active in securing the passage of the present Indiana school laws, and as financial agent of the Indiana Central Railroad did much for the success of that enterprise. His three sons were all in the National Army during the Civil War, and two lost their lives in the service.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 303.


MEREDITH, William Morris, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, bank president.  Philadelphia auxiliary of the American Colonization Society.  (Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 303; Staudenraus, P. J. The African Colonization Movement, 1816-1865. New York: Columbia University Press, 1961, p. 39)


MEREDITH, William Morris, cabinet officer, born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 8 June, 1799; died there, 17 August, 1873. He was graduated at the University of Pennsylvania in 1812, studied law, and about 1820 began practice. He was in the legislature in 1824-'8, president of the Select Council of Philadelphia in 1834-'49, and a member of the State Constitutional Convention of 1837. He became Secretary of the U. S. Treasury in 1849, and held office until the death of President Taylor. He was Attorney-General of Pennsylvania in 1861-'7, and president of the State Constitutional Convention in 1873. As a lawyer, Mr. Meredith occupied for many years the foremost rank in his native state, and was constantly engaged in important cases in the Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, and that of the United States. As a ready and able legal debater, he had few superiors in this country. Appletons’ Cylcopædia of American Biography, 1888 Vol. IV, p. 303


MEREDITH, Sullivan Amory, soldier… put entry here under son of William Morris.


MERIWETHER, David; senator, born in Louisa County, Virginia, 30 October, 1800. He moved to Kentucky, was educated in a country school, and in 1818 engaged in the fur-trade. He early entered politics as a Democrat, and between 1832 and 1883 was thirteen times a member of the Kentucky Legislature, becoming Speaker of the House in 1859. He was in the Constitutional Convention of 1849, sat in the U. S. Senate by appointment of the governor, on the death of Henry Clay, from 15 July till 20 December, 1852, and was governor of New Mexico Territory from 1853 till 1857.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 304.


MERIWETHER'S FERRY, TENNESSEE, August 16, 1862. Detachment of 2nd Illinois Cavalry. One company of the 2nd Illinois cavalry, 60 men, under Colonel Thomas W. Harris of 54th Illinois infantry, attacked 150 Confederates at Meriwether's ferry on the Obion river in Dyer county and completely routed them, in a half hour's fight after pursuing them for 30 miles. Confederate reinforcements attempted to cross the river but were either killed or compelled to fall back. The enemy's loss was estimated at 37 killed and drowned, a large number wounded and 10 captured. The Union loss was 3 killed and 6 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 593.


MERIWETHER'S FERRY, TENNESSEE, November 19, 1863. Detachment of 2nd Illinois Cavalry. Captain Franklin Moore reporting under date of Nov, 20, says: "I attacked the devils at Meriwether's ferry, at noon, yesterday. I whipped them and killed 11 men, and took Colonel Sol. G. Street and 55 men; also one wagon-load of arms and some horses. My loss none, except 1 man wounded." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 593.


MERRICK, Samuel Vaughan, manufacturer, born in Hallowell, Maine, 4 May, 1801; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 18 August, 1870. In 1816 he left school and went to Philadelphia, where he entered the counting-house of his uncle. He subsequently studied engineering, and about 1835 established at Philadelphia the Southwark Iron-Foundry, which became the finest work of the kind in this country. Among other important constructions he built the iron light-houses that were erected along the Florida reefs, some of them the largest in the world: and the machinery for the U. S. ships "Mississippi," "Princeton," "San Jacinto." and "Wabash.” Mr. Merrick took a deep interest in public affairs. He was active in introducing illuminating gas into Philadelphia, to further which measure he became a member of the city councils, and in 1834 he was sent by the councils to Europe to examine into the methods of manufacturing gas there. His report led to the construction of the Philadelphia Gas-Works, the building of which he superintended. He was at one time president of the Pennsylvania Railroad, and of the Catawissa Railroad, was one of the founders of the Franklin Institute, and a member of the American Philosophical Society from 1833 until his death.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 305.


MERRICK, Richard Thomas, lawyer, born in Charles County, Maryland, 25 January, 1826; died in Washington. D. C, 23 June, 1885, raised a company, which he commanded in the Mexican War, although he was under age, after which he practised law and served in the legislature. He then went to Chicago, where he formed a law-partnership and was a delegate from Illinois to the Democratic National Convention of 1860, supporting Stephen A. Douglas. In 1864 he moved to Washington, where during the following twenty years he stood high in his profession. After the war he was a Democratic candidate for delegate to Congress from the District of Columbia under the territorial form of government. He was also engaged in the defence of President Johnson in the impeachment trial in 1868; in 1876-'7 was one of the counsel before the electoral commission, and afterward in prosecuting the Star-route eases. He was a brilliant debater and public speaker, and during the exciting presidential canvass of 1884 took an active part in the western states in the interest of the Democratic ticket. He was lecturer on constitutional law in Georgetown University.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 305.


MERRILL, Joseph, , Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Vice-President, 1838-40


MERRILL, Moses Emery, soldier, born in Brunswick, Maine, 3 September, 1803; died near Molino del Rey, Mexico, 8 September, 1847. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy, 1 July, 1820, assigned to the 5th U.S. Infantry, and was on frontier duty till 1845. He had been promoted 1st lieutenant in 1833 and captain in 1837. Captain Merrill took part in the military occupation of Texas in 1845-'6 and in the Mexican War, being engaged at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, the siege of Vera Cruz, and the capture of San Antonio. He was killed at Molino del Rey while leading the assaulting column in its attack on the enemy's works.— His son, William Emery, military engineer, born in Fort Howard, Brown County, Wisconsin, 11 October, 1837, was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1859 and assigned to the Engineer Corps. He served for nearly a year at the U. S. Military Academy as assistant professor of engineering, acted as assistant engineer in the Army of the Potomac in March and April, 1862, and was chief engineer of the Army of Kentucky from 12 October, 1862, till 25 May, 1863, and of the Army of the Cumberland from 22 August to 17 Sept, of the latter year. He took part in all the more important engagements of those armies till the close of the war. He was brevetted captain for gallantry in an engagement before Yorktown, Virginia. promoted captain, 3 March, 1863, and made colonel of the veteran volunteer engineers, 2 July, 1864, which corps he had organized and with which he had been engaged in fortifying important points on the lines of military railroads in Tennessee, Alabama, and Georgia. He was brevetted major, lieutenant-colonel, and colonel for "faithful and meritorious services" at the battles of Chickamauga, Lookout Mountain, and Resaca, respectively. He was promoted major, 7 March, 1867, and lieutenant-colonel, 20 February, 1883. Since the close of the war he has served as chief engineer on the staff of Lieutenant-General Sherman and on important duty with his corps in the improvement of rivers and in surveys in the west. In 1878 he was ordered to visit Europe to obtain information respecting the construction of movable dams, and other professional subjects. He has since been stationed at Cincinnati in charge of improvements in the Ohio. Alleghany, Monongahela, and Muskingum Rivers. He has published " Iron-Truss Bridges for Railroads" (New York. 1870) and "Improvement of Non-Tidal Rivers" (Washington. 1881).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 306.


MERRILL, James, lawyer, born in Peacham, Vermont, 8 May, 1790; died in New Berlin, Pennsylvania, 29 October, 1841. He was graduated at Dartmouth in 1812 and moved to York, Pennsylvania, with Thaddeus Stevens and John Blanchard, where he read law, and was admitted to the bar in 1815. He settled in 1816 in New Berlin. Union County, Pennsylvania, where he resided until his death. He was for many years one of the most eloquent and popular lawyers in that part of the state. As senatorial delegate he attended the Constitutional Convention of 1836, and it is said that to him more than to any other man in the convention the people of Pennsylvania are indebted for its wisest provisions. In the debates he was the advocate of the present peculiar judicial system of Pennsylvania, by which equity is administered through common law forms, and as the conservative adherent to those principles in the constitution of 1790 for which it was proposed to substitute the rapidly growing doctrines of the pro-slavery thinkers. He also urged the insertion of a provision that would give to colored men the political franchise.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 306.


MERRILL, Lewis, soldier, born in New Berlin, Pennsylvania, 28 October, 1834, left the class of 1852 at Lewisburg University. Pennsylvania, to enter the U. S. Military Academy, where he was graduated in 1855, and was appointed lieutenant to the 1st Dragoons. After frontier service he was detached to muster in and organize volunteer troops, and in August, 1861, was made colonel and chief of cavalry on the staff of General John C. Fremont. He organized a regiment of Missouri Volunteer Cavalry, of which he was appointed colonel, and the regiment was called Merrill's Horse. He led a brigade in the Army of the Southwest to December, 1861, and the following year look the field in operations against the guerillas of western and northern Missouri. He commanded the District of North Missouri in July, 1863. when he was assigned to the command of a brigade of in the Army of Arkansas. He participated with them and as commander of the cavalry division in the action near Little Rock, 9 September, 1863, and in the battle and capture of Little Rock, and led the pursuit of the enemy, driving them successively in a series of engagements from every position and capturing more than 400 prisoners. On 10 September, 1862, he had been promoted brevet major for "gallant and meritorious service against rebel forces in north Missouri."  On 10 September, 1863, he was made brevet lieutenant-colonel for "gallant and meritorious service in the battle  of Little Rock." The  following year, while in command of the West Division Cavalry Bureau, he organized and commanded a brigade of cavalry in the campaign against Price's invasion of Missouri, participating in the action near Franklin, Missouri. In January, 1865, he was transferred to the Army of the Cumberland and assigned to the command of a brigade of cavalry in northwest Georgia and northern Alabama. On 5 March, 1865, he was promoted brevet colonel for services against the forces under General Wofford in the operations that terminated in his surrender, and on 13 March, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier-general for "gallant and meritorious service during the war." He then returned to his regiment, and in 1866 was made inspector-general of the Department of the Platte and subsequently judge-advocate of that department. He was promoted major in 1868, and while serving on the frontier was assigned by his brevet rank to the command of a Military district in South Carolina, embracing a territory in which the Ku-klux outrages were most frequent. In return for his services he received the thanks of the War Department and of his department commander for "great work and ability in mastering and breaking up the Ku-klux conspiracy," and those of the legislature of South Carolina for "conspicuous ability" in the performance of his duties. In 1875-'6 he was again called on for similar duty in command of the Red River District of Louisiana. General Merrill was retired from active service on surgeon's certificate of disability in 1886 after several years of frontier duty. Son of James Merrill lawyer, 1790-1841.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 306-307.


MERRILL'S CROSSING, MISSOURI, October 12-13, 1863. U. S. Troops of District of Central Missouri. After pursuing Shelby in his raid through a number of places he was finally compelled to make a stand at Merrill's crossing on the Black Water river, on the evening of the 12th. The action began about 6 p. m. and continued until darkness put an end to it. Lieutenant-Colonel B. F. Lazear, with 900 men, moved south at 3 a. m. next day to intercept the enemy at Marshall. This move was successful, Lazear moving in advance of the enemy and occupying Marshall, where he was attacked at 8 a. m. by the Confederates. About 9:30 a. m. the remainder of the Federal forces came up, but finding the enemy disputing the passage of the river a crossing was effected farther down, the rear of the enemy was attacked and he soon gave way, retreating in 2 columns, both closely pursued by the victorious Union troops. The casualties were not reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 593.


MERRIMON, Augustus Summerfield, senator, born in Buncombe County (now Transylvania), North Carolina, 15 September, 1830. He was the son of a Methodist clergyman, and the eldest of ten children. He studied law. was admitted to the bar in 1852, became solicitor to several counties in his circuit, and in 1861 solicitor for the district. In 1860 he was elected to the legislature. At the beginning of the agitation that led to the Civil War, Mr. Merrimon took a decided stand for the Union, but the proclamation of President Lincoln calling for 75,000 men decided him to join the Confederate Army, in which for a short time he was attached to the commissary department as captain. In 1866 he was chosen judge of the superior courts by the legislature, and as such held the first regular sessions on his circuit under circumstances of considerable peril, a police force having to be organized in several counties by the sheriff to preserve the peace. When General Edward R. S. Canby, in command of the U. S. forces, issued military orders to the courts, Judge Merrimon resigned his commission. In 1872 he was nominated for governor, but was defeated by a small majority. He was chosen U. S. Senator in the following December, and served from 1873 till 1879.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 307-308


MERRITT, Edwin Atkins, consul, born in Sudbury, Vermont, 20 February, 1828. He was thrown on his own resources at an early age, and moved in 1841 to St. Lawrence County, New York., and became a surveyor. After holding local offices he was elected to the lower branch of the legislature as a Republican in 1859, and re-elected in 1860. At the beginning of the Civil War he became quartermaster of the 60th New York Regiment, served with the Army of the Potomac, and in Sherman's Georgia Campaign acted as commissary of subsistence. On 1 January, 1865, he was made quartermaster-general of the state of New York, and he superintended the Soldiers' Home in New York City. He also established free agencies for the collection of bounties, back pay, and pensions that were due New York volunteers. In 1869-'70 he was naval officer of the port of New York. In 1875 he was the unsuccessful Republican candidate for state treasurer. In December, 1877, he became surveyor of the Port of New York, and in 1878 he was appointed collector in place of Chester A. Arthur. He was U. S. consul-general in London in 1881-1885.   Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 308.


MERRITT, Joseph, Merit, Michigan, abolitionist, American Anti-Slavery Society, Vice-President, 1852-1864.


MERRITT, Wesley, soldier, born in New York City, 16 June, 1836. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy, 1 July, 1860, assigned to the U.S. Dragoons and promoted 1st lieutenant, 13 May, 1861, and captain, 5 April, 1862. He took part in General Stoneman s raid toward Richmond in April and May, 1863, and was in command of the reserve cavalry brigade in the Pennsylvania Campaign of the same year, being commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers in June. For gallant and meritorious services during the battle of Gettysburg he was brevet ted major. Still in command of his brigade, he took part in the various engagements in central Virginia in 1863-'4, and was brevetted lieutenant-colonel and colonel in the regular army, and major-general of volunteers, for gallantry at the battles of Yellow Tavern, Hawes's Shop, and Winchester respectively. On 13 March, 1865, he was brevetted brigadier general and major-general in the regular army for bravery at the battle of Five Forks, and his services during the final Virginia Campaign, and on 1 April was commissioned major-general of volunteers. After the war he was employed chiefly on frontier duty until 1882, when he was placed in charge of the U. S. Military Academy at West Point. In June, 1887, he was ordered to Fort Leavenworth. He became lieutenant-colonel of the 9th U.S. Cavalry in 1866, colonel of the 5th U.S. Cavalry in 1876, and in 1887 became brigadier-general.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 308-309.


MERLON. The space of the parapet between two embrasures. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. ).


MERVINE, William, naval officer, born in Pennsylvania in 1790; died in Utica, New York., 15 September, 1868. He entered the U.S. Navy, and was made midshipman, 16 January, 1809, lieutenant, 4 February, 1815, commander, 12 June, 1834, and captain, 8 September, 1841. He was placed on the retired list, 21 December, 1861, promoted commodore, 16 July, 1862, and rear-admiral, 25 July, 1866. He spent twenty-five years in active duty afloat, four years in performing shore service, and the remainder of the time on furlough or awaiting orders. At the beginning of the Civil War, although seventy years of age, he reported promptly for duty, and did good service during the first year of the war, but his health was inadequate to the heavy duties of that period, and he reluctantly submitted to be retired.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 309.


MESILLA, NEW MEXICO, July 25, 1861. Detachment of 7th U. S. Infantry. Major Isaac Lynde, with six companies of the 7th U. S. infantry moved from Fort Fillmore on Mesilla. When within 2 miles of the town he sent a summons to surrender to the commander of the garrison, which was immediately refused. The Federals then moved forward and threw a few shells into the town, which were replied to by a volley of musketry from the cornfields on the right of the road. After some desultory firing Lynde withdrew, having had 2 killed and 4 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 593.


MESNE PROCESS. Any writ issued in the course of a suit between the original process and execution. By this term is also meant the writ of proceedings in an action to summon or bring the defendant into court, or compel him to appear or put in bail, and then to hear and answer the plaintiff's claim. (See ARREST BY CIVIL AUTHORITY.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. ).


MESS. The law is silent with regard to messes in the army. Executive regulations have been made on the subject, but without law it is impossible to put messes on a proper footing. In England, an allowance is granted by the king in aid of the expense of officers' messes; and every officer on appointment to a corps subscribes one month's pay to the mess fund. All the officers of the corps mess together. In France, the several grades mess separately; lieutenants and sub-lieutenants forming two tables; captains another, and field officers of different grades generally eating separately also. Colonels and general officers of the French service receive an allowance for table expenses, not sufficient to keep open house, but enough to enable them to entertain guests. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, pp. 414-419).


MESSINGER'S FERRY, MISSISSIPPI, June 29, 1863. Detachments of 11th Iowa Infantry, 11th Illinois Cavalry and 10th Iowa Battery. On the arrival of this command under Major Charles Foster at Messinger's ferry the enemy's pickets were discovered posted behind an old corn crib on the eastern side of the Big Black river. The cavalry and one company of infantry were deployed as skirmishers near the bank of the river and the artillery planted on a hill a third of a mile to the rear. After half an hour's skirmishing the Confederates retired. The losses were not reported. The affair was an incident of the Vicksburg campaign. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 593.


MESSINGER'S FERRY, MISSISSIPPI, July 3, 1863. Detachments of the 15th Iowa Cavalry and 10th Ohio Battery. This detachment, guarding Messinger's ferry, dispersed a squad of Confederate pickets and scouts about daylight. No casualties were reported. Messinger's Ferry, Mississippi, July 4, 1863. Detachments of nth Illinois Cavalry and 16th Iowa Infantry. This command crossed at Messinger's ferry to clear the road on the farther side of Big Black river, but had not proceeded far when it encountered the enemy's skirmishers. The Confederates were driven until reinforcements of artillery, cavalry and infantry came up and compelled the Federal force to fall back to the river and later in the day to cross it. The casualties were not reported. This incident was at the beginning of Sherman's expedition against Jackson, Mississippi. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 593-594.


MESSINGER’S FORD, MISSISSIPPI, July 6, 1863. 3d Division, 15th Army Corps. This division, under Brigadier-General James M. Tuttle, moved across the Big Black river on the way from Vicksburg to Jackson. From the time of crossing (3 p. m.) there was continuous skirmishing with the enemy until the Bolton road was reached, where the division bivouacked. There were no casualties reported. Metamora, Tennessee, October 5, 1862. (See Hatchie Bridge.) The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 594.


METCALF, Mason Jerome, inventor, born in Fairfax, Maine, 16 October, 1807; died in Monmouth, Maine, 23 July, 1883. When a boy he moved to Zanesville, Ohio, with his father, who was a teacher. Afterward he returned to Litchfield, Maine, was educated in the academy at Monmouth, and settled there. He was for several years a manufacturer of stencils in Boston, Massachusetts, alternately residing in Monmouth, where he owned and operated three mills. His most important invention was a method of producing letter-stencils by means of dies, which he was the first to practice and bring into use. Up to that time such stencils had been made entirely with chisels. He also invented a form of fence, often made of slabs from saw-mills, which by reason of its simplicity and cheapness came widely into use, and may still tie seen on many farms at the west. His other inventions included a fan-wheel for ventilation. He made many experiments with models for flying-machines, all of them involving the use of a fan-wheel or propeller. He held that men would fly, by the use of spiral wheels, as soon as an engine could be invented that was at once sufficiently light and powerful. He also experimented with a plough that was designed to turn up the soil and pulverize it at the same time by means of a revolving cylinder with curved teeth. None of his inventions were ever patented.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 311.


MIAMI, MISSOURI, April 24, 1865. Detachment 48th Wisconsin Infantry. Colonel Chester Harding, Jr., commanding the District of Central Missouri, sent the following despatch from Warrensburg on the 26th: "Captain Felker, Company A, 48th Wisconsin, reports that on the 24th instant he had a skirmish with 13 bushwhackers, killing 7 of them and capturing all their horses and horse equipments. Captain Felker's company was one sent to Miami." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 594.


MIASM, MIASMATA. (See SANITARY PRECAUTIONS.)


MICHIE, Peter Smith (my'-key), engineer, born in Brechin, Scotland, 24 March, 1839. He came to this country in early life, and was graduated at Woodward High-School, Cincinnati, in 1857, and at the U. S. Military Academy in 1863, where he stood second in his class. He was assigned to the Engineer Corps as 1st lieutenant, and served as assistant engineer in the operations against Charleston, South Carolina, 1863-'4, as chief engineer of districts in the Department of the South, and as assistant and then chief engineer of the Army of the James. He was brevetted captain and major, 28 October, 1864, for services in the campaign of that year against Richmond, brigadier-general of volunteers, 1 January, 1865, "for meritorious services in 1864," and lieutenant-colonel, 9 April, 1865, for the campaign that ended in Lee's surrender. He was promoted captain, 23 November, 1865, and since 1867 has served on the staff of instruction at the U. S. Military Academy, first as assistant in the departments of engineering and chemistry, and after 14 February, 1871, as professor of natural and experimental philosophy. From June till November, 1870, he served on a commission that visited Europe to collect information on the fabrication of iron for defensive purposes. Professor Michie has been a member of the board of overseers of the Thayer School of Civil Engineering of Dartmouth since 1871. Princeton gave him the degree of Ph. D. in 1871, and Dartmouth that of M. A. in 1873. He has published " Wave Motion, Relating to Sound and Light" (New York. 1882); "Life and Letters of Emery Upton" (1885); "Analytical Mechanics" (1886); and " Hydromechanics "(West Point, 1887).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 315.


MICHLER, Nathaniel, soldier, born in Easton, Pa„ 13 September, 1827; died in Saratoga Springs. New York, 17 July, 1881. His great-grandfather, John Wolfgang, a Moravian minister, came to this country in 1743. Nathaniel, after studying at Lafayette, was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1848, assigned to the Corps of Topographical Engineers, and served on the Mexican Boundary Survey in 1851-'7. He was promoted 1st lieutenant, 19  May, 1856, and in 1857-'60 was chief engineer in charge of surveys of the proposed ship-canal from the Gulf of Darien to the Pacific. After his promotion to captain, 9 September, 1861, he was chief Topographical Engineer successively of the departments of the Cumberland and the Ohio, and the Armies of the Ohio and the Cumberland, he was transferred to the regular Engineer Corps on 3 March. 1863, promoted, major, 22 April, 1864, and was engaged on the defensive works connected with the Wilderness Campaign, the siege of Petersburg, and the subsequent actions of the Army of the Potomac. He received the brevet of lieutenant-colonel, 1 August, 1864, and those of colonel and brigadier-general in the regular army on 2 April, 1865, for services at Petersburg and throughout the war. Afterward he served on various engineering boards, was superintendent of public buildings in the District of Columbia in 1867-'71, and then had charge of river and harbor improvements on the Pacific Coast and in the states of New York and New Jersey. At the time of his death he held the rank of lieutenant-colonel, to which he had been promoted on 16 October, 1877.   Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 515-316.


MIDDLEBROOK, VIRGINIA, June 10, 1864. 2nd Infantry Division, Army of West Virginia. Brigadier-General George Crook in reporting the operations of his brigade in the Lynchburg campaign says of the Middlebrook affair: "I marched on the morning of the 10th on the Lexington road via Middlebrook; met McCausland's brigade, some 1,500 strong, 2 miles from Staunton. By skirmishing with my advance and occupying strong positions along the road ahead of me, he endeavored to retard my march, but his loss of killed and wounded that fell into my hands was more than double mine." The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 594.


MIDDLEBURG, TENNESSEE, December 24, 1862. Detachments of the 12th Michigan Infantry and Grierson's Cavalry. After the Confederate force under Van Dorn had been driven from Bolivar, Grierson pursued to Middleburg, which was at that time garrisoned by 200 men of the 12th Michigan infantry under Colonel Graves. Van Dorn made a desperate attack on the garrison, but Graves resisted stoutly, and while the action was going on the Confederates were attacked in the rear by Grierson. The enemy was thrown into some confusion and retreated on the Van Buren road, a round from Curtis' battery serving to accelerate his movement. No casualties reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 594.


MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA, March 27, 1862. U. S. Troops under Colonel John W. Geary. When Geary approached Middleburg he learned that it was occupied by 400 Confederate infantry and cavalry, but by the time he arrived the enemy had fled. Pursuit was immediately given, the artillery coming close enough to the rear-guard to fire several shells into it which caused great confusion. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 594.


MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA, January 27, 1863. (See Fairfax Court House, same date.)


MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA, June 17-19, 1863. Cavalry. Army of the Potomac. On the morning of the 17th Colonel A. N. Duffie, commanding the 1st Rhode Island cavalry, less than 300 men, was ordered to move with his regiment from Manassas Junction by way of Thoroughfare gap to Middleburg, thence by way of Union and Snickersville to Noland's ferry, where he was to join his brigade. At Thoroughfare gap a strong skirmish line of the enemy's was encountered, but by making a demonstration on his left Duffie managed to pass through the gap, the enemy following on his rear but without making any serious attack. About 4 p. m. Duffie reached Middleburg, where he captured the first picket and ordered Captain Allen to charge the Confederate detachment in the town. Allen cut off the rear-guard of Stuart's cavalry and after a half-hour's fighting succeeded in driving it from the town. Duffie learned that General Stuart, with 2,000 cavalry and 4 pieces of artillery, had left Middleburg but a short time before, taking the road to Aldie. Orders were given to barricade the roads and Captain Allen was sent to Aldie, where General Kilpatrick was supposed to be, asking that officer for reinforcements. Skirmishing was kept up until 7 p. m., when the enemy appeared in great force on the roads from Aldie, Union and Upperville and surrounded the town. Duffie was determined not to surrender and disposed his little force to the best advantage to repel the assault that he now felt certain was to come. Three desperate charges were repulsed, in which the Union loss was 5 officers and 27 men killed, after which Duffie fell back to Little river, northeast of Middleburg and went into bivouac, throwing out a strong picket line along the river to guard against a surprise. A second despatch was sent to Kilpatrick asking for reinforcements, but the party bearing it was never heard of afterward. At 3:30 a. m. on the 18th scouts brought in word that the roads in all directions were full of Confederate cavalry and the regiment started immediately for Aldie. It was soon met by a heavy fire and a demand for surrender. Instead of complying the fire was returned with vigor and for more than an hour the fight was kept up at close range, when Duffie reached the road to Hopewell gap. At 1:30 p. m. he reached camp near Centerville with 4 officers and 27 men—all that was left of his regiment. The colors were destroyed to prevent them falling into the hands of the enemy. While Duffie was falling back from Middleburg General Pleasonton, commanding the cavalry corps, sent Colonel J. I. Gregg's brigade to make a reconnaissance in that direction and to assist Duffie if possible. Gregg reached Middleburg about 3 p. m., took possession of the town and held it until evening, when he was ordered to fall back toward Aldie. Next morning the brigade again advanced and a gallant charge by the 4th Pennsylvania cleared Middleburg of the enemy, who took up a strong position on a wooded height about a mile from town on the Upperville road. About this time Brigadier-General D. McGregg arrived with the remainder of the 2nd division and immediately disposed his men for an attack. Dismounted skirmishers were thrown to the right and left of the pike, while the main body of the division was formed for a charge down the road. This charge was stubbornly resisted, but the Confederates were finally forced to give way, leaving their dead and wounded on the field. A large number were captured and the Union troops remained in undisputed possession of the field. Gregg's loss was not reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 594-595.


MIDDLEBURG, VIRGINIA, February 16, 1865. (See Aldie, same date.)


MIDDLE CREEK, KENTUCKY, January 10, 1862. 18th Brigade, Army of the Ohio. At 8 p. m. of the 9th this brigade, under Colonel James A. Garfield, advanced to Abbott's creek, where it was learned that a force of Confederates under General Humphrey Marshall was encamped on Middle creek near Prestonburg, 3 miles above. At 4 a. m. next day Garfield started his men in the direction of the enemy but the engagement did not commence until after noon. A shell from the Confederate artillery showed his position and Garfield deployed his skirmishers accordingly. The heaviest skirmishing occurred on the Federal left, where the enemy had occupied the crest of a steep ridge. At 4 p. m. 700 reinforcements came to Garfield from Paintsville and with the aid of these he slowly drove the enemy from his position, notwithstanding his superior strength. The Federal loss was 3 killed and 20 wounded. Marshall reported his casualties at 9 killed and 1 1 wounded, but Garfield states that his force buried 25 of the Confederate dead. Middle Fork Bridge, Virginia, July 6-7, 1861. Confederate reports state that on the 6th 100 Federals made an attack on the Confederate pickets at the bridge and were repulsed, leaving 1 dead, while pickets had 3 wounded. A large Federal force which appeared later in the day compelled the pickets to withdraw. Next day a portion of the 20th Virginia drove in the Federal pickets at the bridge, but found the guard too strong to be successfully attacked. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 595-596.


MIDDLETON, Henry, author, born in Paris. France, 16 March, 1797; died in Washington, D. C, 15 March. 1876, was educated by private tutors at Middleton Place, South Carolina, and at the U. S. Military Academy. He was graduated in 1815 and assigned to the Corps of Engineers, serving in the construction of defences of the Savannah River, Georgia, until his resignation from the army on 15 July, 1816. In 1819 he entered the Litchfield, Connecticut, law-school, and in 1820 went to Edinburgh to continue his studies. Here he formed a friendship with Dugald Stewart and Mrs. Grant, of Laggan. In 1822 he returned to the United States and was admitted to the bars of Charleston and Philadelphia, but did not practice his profession, his taste for philosophy dominating any active pursuit. He was interested in political economy and wrote much in favor of free-trade. In 1832-'3 he opposed nullification, publishing an essay on the " Prospects of Disunion." He was the author of " The Government and the Currency," of which Edgar A. Poe said: "Nothing so good on the same subject has yet appeared in America" (New York, 1850); “Economical Causes of Slavery in the United States and Obstacles to Abolition" (London, 1857); "The Government of India, as it has been, as it is, and as it ought to be" (1858); and "Universal Suffrage in the Various Conditions and Progress of Society." Son of Henry Middleton, 1771-1846. Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 317.


MIDDLETON, John Izard, author, born at Middleton Place, 3 February, 1800; died in Summerville, South Carolina, 12 January. 1877, entered South Carolina College at an early age, but was graduated with the highest honor at Princeton in 1819. He became a large rice-planter in Prince George, South Carolina, representing that parish in the state legislature from 1832 till 1840. In 1848 he was speaker of the house. He was a member of the Conventions of 1832 and 1850, and in 1860 with his brother Williams signed the South Carolina Ordinance of Secession. He was ruined by the Civil War. and spent his last years in retirement. Son of Henry Middleton, 1771-1846. Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 317.


MIDDLETON, Henry Edward, naval officer, born in Charleston, South Carolina, 11 December, 1810; died in Washington; D. C, 27 April, 1883, was educated in Europe and appointed from South Carolina to the U. S. Naval Academy in 1828. He became passed midshipman in 1834, and served on the "Constitution," of the Mediterranean Squadron, from 1835 till 1838, and in the Brazil Squadron from 1839 till 1842. After being commissioned lieutenant, 2 March, 1841, he served on the store-ship "Lexington" in 1843-'4, in the Home Squadron, the U.S. Navy-yard, Philadelphia, and the Mediterranean Squadron. He was executive officer of the sloop “Decatur,” of the Pacific Squadron, in 1854-"6, operating against a combination of hostile Indians in Washington and Oregon territories. On 16 April, 1856, he was made commander and assigned the sloop "Decatur," and he commanded steam sloops in the Pacific Squadron from 1861 till 1865. He became captain on 24 April, 1863, was on special duty in New York in 1866, held charge of the U.S. Navy-yard, Mare Island, California, in 1867-'8, and commanded the steam sloop “Pensacola." of the Pacific Squadron, in the latter year. He was made commodore on 26 November, 1868, and had charge of the U.S. Navy-yard, Pensacola, Florida, from 1 June, 1870, till 8 March, 1873. He was retired on 11 December, 1872, and made rear-admiral, 15 August, 1876. Son of Henry Middleton 1771-1846.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 317-318.


MIDDLETON, TENNESSEE, January 5, 1862. Cavalry of the Army of the Cumberland. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 596.


MIDDLETON, TENNESSEE, January 31, 1863. Captain L W. Battle of the 51st Alabama, Confederate cavalry reports that a body of Federal cavalry drove in the pickets at Middleton and advanced within 100 yards of the camp. The Confederates were ordered to mount, but instead of advancing against the Union force turned and fled in wild confusion, the Federals pursuing. The affair was an incident of an expedition to Franklin, Tennessee, under Brigadier-General Jefferson C. Davis, of the 1st division of the 20th army corps. The only mention of it is in the report of Battle, so there is no way of knowing exactly what Union organizations were engaged. It is probable, however, that the 2nd and 3d Tennessee cavalry were the Union participants. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 596.


MIDDLETON, TENNESSEE, May 22, 1863. 2nd Division Cavalry. Army of the Cumberland, and 39th Indiana Mounted Infantry. As an incident of an expedition from Murfreesboro to Middleton the Union advance, a squadron of the 4th U. S. cavalry, charged into and drove the enemy from a camp near Middleton. Most of the Confederates took refuge in a second camp, which this squadron, under Lieutenant William O'Connell, charged and cleared in turn. Through some mistake the remainder of the column failed to support O'Connell at once and he was obliged to fall back fighting for a short distance until a portion of the 4th Ohio came up. The Federals captured some 80 prisoners, destroyed 600 stands of arms and lost 9 men killed and wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 596.


MIDDLETON, TENNESSEE, June 24. 1863. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Cumberland. When Brigadier-General Robert B. Mitchell's division approached Middleton his skirmishers struck those of the enemy one mile from the town. The 1st Wisconsin was deployed on the right and 2nd Indiana on the left of the road as skirmishers and advanced, steadily driving the Confederates into the town and to the hills beyond. There their sharpshooters in log houses severely annoyed the Union skirmishers, and Mitchell ordered up a section of artillery which easily drove them off. About dark, the infantry column which Mitchell was waiting for not having arrived, he ordered a charge, which sent the Confederates out of sight. The casualties on the Confederate side were said to be 30 killed and more wounded; the Union losses were not reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 596.


MIDDLETON, TENNESSEE, January 14, 1864. 35th Iowa Volunteers. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 596.


MIDDLETOWN, MARYLAND, September 13, 1862. (See Catoctin Mountain.)


MIDDLETOWN, MARYLAND, July 7, 1864. (See Hager's Mountain.)


MIDDLETOWN, VIRGINIA, May 24, 1862. Cavalry Corps, Army of the Shenandoah. The 1st battalion of 1st Maine cavalry and two companies of the 1st Vermont had been directed to make a reconnaissance toward Front Royal from Middletown. About 5 miles out they encountered a heavy artillery, infantry and cavalry force of the enemy and fell back slowly to Middletown, where the rest of the cavalry joined the detachment. Through some mistake Major William D. Collins of the 1st Vermont charged with the companies of his regiment and a portion of the 1st Maine which resulted in a large number of his men being cut off and either killed or captured. The cavalry then attempted to join the main column under General Banks, but were repulsed and compelled to fall back to Newtown and eventually to Winchester, fighting all the way. The losses, though not reported, were heavy on both sides. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 596-597.


Middletown, Virginia, June 12, 1863. (See Winchester, June 13-15.)


MIDDLETOWN, VIRGINIA, September 20, 1864. Wilson's Cavalry Division. When the Confederate army was routed at Winchester on the 19th Wilson pursued to Kernstown. The next morning the pursuit was renewed and the rear-guard was overtaken at Middletown. Devin's brigade drove them across Cedar creek and followed to Fisher's Hill, while another portion of the command turned toward Front Royal and drove the enemy's cavalry to the south side of the Shenandoah. No casualties reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 597.


MIDDLETOWN, VIRGINIA, October 19, 1864. (See Cedar Creek.)


MIDDLEWAY, VIRGINIA, August 21, 1865. Cavalry of the Army of West Virginia, and the 6th Army Corps. The Confederates crossed the Opequan in force during the forenoon of the 21st and made a vigorous attack on the pickets of Wilson's cavalry division, driving them back on the main body and then trying to interpose between the division and the army, which was then located near Charlestown. Wilson was ordered to fall back in the direction of Berryville and join Merritt's division. General Wright, commanding the 6th corps, upon hearing that the enemy had crossed the Opequan, sent orders to his division commanders to hold their men in readiness to repel an attack. Before these orders were fully delivered firing was heard along the picket lines in the direction of Middleway. The sudden attack was almost a surprise, but Ricketts' (3d) division was quickly thrown into position on the left, where the line was in danger of being driven in, and Wright held his ground until reinforced by the 1st division of the 19th corps on his right and some of General Crook's command on his left. At midnight, pursuant to orders from General Sheridan, the whole force moved to its old position at Halltown. The Federal loss at Middleway was about 260 in killed, wounded and missing, most of the casualties occurring in Getty's (2nd) division. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 597.


MILEAGE. Travelling allowance or transportation of baggage. (See TRAVELLING.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 419).


MILES, Dixon S., soldier, born in Maryland in 1804; died in Harper's Ferry. Virginia, 16 September, 1862. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1824, and assigned to the infantry. After serving as adjutant for five years, he was commissioned as captain, 8 June, 1836, and held a staff appointment as quartermaster during the Florida War and until the beginning of the war with Mexico. He was brevetted major for gallantry in the defence of Fort Brown, and lieutenant-colonel for  brave conduct at Monterey, was promoted major on 16 February, 1847, and was commandant at Vera Cruz for four months. He was advanced to the grade of lieutenant-colonel on 15 April, 1851, commanded a column in the Gila Expedition in 1857, and in the following year conducted an expedition against the Navajo Indians in New Mexico. He was made colonel of the 28th Infantry on 19 January, 1859, was on duty at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, in 1861, and after the beginning of the Civil War ordered to the east, taking part in the defence of Washington, and commanding the reserve at the battle of Bull Run. After several months leave of absence, he was given charge of a brigade guarding the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad in March, 1862. In September he was intrusted with the command of the post of Harper's Ferry. He asked for re-enforcements, but they were not sent. After Maryland Heights had been evacuated by the force that was posted there, and when the enemy opened fire from commanding positions in two quarters, he offered no further resistance, but surrendered the post with 11,500 troops and arms, ammunition, and supplies. He was mortally wounded by the bursting of a shell after the capitulation.   Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 321.


MILES, George, Westminster, Massachusetts, abolitionist, Massachusetts Anti-Slavery Society, Vice-President, 1845-1860.


MILES, Mary E., African American, abolitionist, from Boston, Massachusetts.  Wife of abolitionist Henry Bibb.  Published with husband the anti-slavery journal Voice of the Fugitive. (Gates, 2013, Vol. 1, p. 533)


MILES, Nelson Appleton, soldier, born in Westminster, Massachusetts, 8 August, 1839. He received an academic education, and was engaged in mercantile pursuits in Boston when the Civil War began. On 9 September, 1861, he entered the volunteer service as lieutenant in the 22d Massachusetts Infantry, and was commissioned lieutenant colonel of the 61st New York Volunteers, to date from 31 May, 1862. He was engaged in the battles of the peninsula, before Richmond, and at Antietam, and on 30 September was made colonel of his regiment. Colonel Miles fought in all the battles of the Army of the Potomac with one exception up to the surrender of Lee at Appomattox Court-House, Virginia, and was wounded three times. He received the brevet of brigadier-general of volunteers for gallantry at Chancellorsville, and was advanced to the full rank on 12 May, 1864, for his services at the battles of the Wilderness and Spottsylvania Court-House. On 25 August, 1864, he was brevetted major-general of volunteers for his conduct throughout the Richmond Campaign and valuable service at Ream's Station. He was commissioned major-general on 21 October, 1865, and mustered out of volunteer service on 1 September, 1866, after receiving, on 28 July, an appointment in the regular army as colonel of the 40th U.S. Infantry. On 2 March, 1867, the brevets of brigadier-general and major-general, U. S. Army, were conferred on him for bravery at Chancellorsville and Spottsylvania. He was transferred to the 5th U.S. Infantry on 15 March. 1869, defeated the Cheyenne. Kiowa, and Comanche Indians on the borders of the Staked Plains in 1875, and in 1876 subjugated the Sioux and other Indians in Montana, driving Sitting Bull across the Canada frontier, and   breaking up the bands that were led by him and by Crazy Horse, Lame Deer, Spotted Eagle, Broad Trail, Hump, and others. In September, he captured the Nez Perces under Chief Joseph in northern Montana, and in 1878 captured a band of Bannocks near the Yellowstone Park. He was commissioned brigadier-general of the U. S. Army on 15 December, 1880, commanded for five years the Department of the Columbia, in July, 1885, assigned to the command of the Department of the Missouri, and in April, 1886, was transferred to Arizona. After a difficult campaign against the Apaches under Geronimo and Natchez, he negotiated those chiefs to surrender, 4 September, 1886. He deemed it advisable, in the interest of the future tranquillity of the Indians, to accept a conditional surrender from Geronimo, agreeing that neither the chief nor any of his lieutenants should suffer death for their past crimes. He received the thanks of the legislatures of Kansas, Montana, New Mexico, and Arizona for services in the west, and the citizens of Arizona presented to General Miles a sword of honor at Tucson on 8 November, 1887, in the presence of a large gathering of citizens of the Territory.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 322-323.


MILES, Pliny, author, born in Watertown, New York., 16 November, 1818; died on the island of Malta, 7 April, 1865. He was brought up on a farm, taught for some time, and on coming of age entered upon commercial pursuits, and subsequently studied law. He next passed five years in travelling through the United States, delivering lectures and contributing to newspapers for his support, and then five years in exploring the countries, of Europe, sending home descriptive letters. All of his communications were signed " Communipaw." During the last period of his life he labored in advocacy of postal reform, urging the reduction of postage to one cent for half-ounce letters. For the last twenty years of his life he made London his home, but continued his travels in various parts of the world. He died while on the journey to Egypt to report the opening of the Suez Canal for a New York newspaper. He published " Statistical Register" (New York, 1848); "Elements of Mnemotechny, or Art of Memory" (1848), which passed through several editions and was republished in London; "Northurfari, or Rambles in Iceland" (1854), republished in England: "Ocean Steam Navigation"; and "Postal Reform, its Urgent Necessity and Practicability " (1855).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 323.


MILFORD, MISSOURI, December 18, 1861. Detachments of 1st Iowa and 4th U. S. Cavalry. Brigadier-General John Pope, commanding a large reconnoitering party, detached seven companies under Colonel J. C. Davis to attack the Confederates at Milford. Late on the afternoon of the 18th Davis came upon the enemy encamped in a wooded bottomland on the west side of the Blackwater river near Milford. The Confederate pickets were driven in across the stream, only passable by a small bridge which was held in force by the enemy. Lieutenant Gordon of Company D, 4th U. S. charged and carried the bridge, when another company of the regulars came across and the Confederates were pressed so closely that they were compelled to surrender. Some 1,300 men, 1,000 stands of arms, 65 wagons loaded with powder, and a quantity of tents, etc. fell into Federal hands. Two of the attacking party were killed and 8 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 597.


MILFORD, VIRGINIA, June 24, 1862. Detachments of the 1st Michigan and the 1st Maine Cavalry. As a reconnoitering force under Major Charles H. Town approached Milford it was met by Confederate pickets who were driven back through the town upon their main column posted in a woods beyond. On ascertaining that the thickness of the tress and the underbrush would not allow of a cavalry movement and that the enemy was attempting to flank him, Town withdrew to Bentonville. No casualties reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 597.


MILFORD, VIRGINIA, April 18, 1864. (See Bristoe Station, same date.)


MILFORD, VIRGINIA, October 26, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Division. Army of the Shenandoah. On the 25th Brig-General W. H. Powell, commanding the division, moved his entire force, except a small camp-guard, to a convenient position for an attack on the enemy's works on the north side of Milford creek. At daylight on the 26th he attacked the Confederate position on the right flank and front, supporting the attack with a vigorous fire of artillery. In this assault Powell expected the cooperation of Colonel Kidd's brigade, but Kidd missed the route and did not arrive in time to strike the enemy on the rear as intended. Owing to a lack of adequate force, Powell could not drive the Confederates from their works, but he managed to keep them in their trenches until late in the day, when he received orders to move to Guard hill, where he arrived at 10 p. m. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 598.


MILFORD STATION, VIRGINIA, May 20, 1864. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 598.


MILITARY ACADEMY. (See ACADEMY.)


MILITARY LAWS. (See GOVERNMENT, LAW (MILITARY); REGULATIONS.)


MILITIA.


GENERAL ABSTRACT OP THE MILITIA FORCE OF THE UNITED STATES, ACCORDING TO THE LATEST RETURNS RECEIVED AT THE OFFICE OF THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL. STATES AND TERRITORIES. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 419-424).

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Notwithstanding the feudal military service introduced into England by William the Conqueror, ancient Anglo-Saxon laws, making it the duty of every freeman to arm himself and serve for the defence of his country against invasion, remained in full vigor. The force authorized to be raised under these conditions has from the earliest times been called the militia, and was under the command of the alderman or earl, who was at that time the governor of the county. By the 27th Henry II. (1154) this force was regulated and organized, every subject, according to his rank and means, being compelled to furnish himself with arms for the maintenance of the king's peace. A century afterwards this act was confirmed, and a fresh “ Assize of arms “ ordered by the statute of Wynton, by which it was enacted that every man between the ages of fifteen and sixty should be assessed, and sworn to keep armor according to the value of his lands and goods. For 15 and upwards in rent, or 40 marks in goods, a hauberk, an iron breastplate, a sword, a knife, and a horse; property of less value entailing the possession of arms of a proportionately less expensive character. Constables were also appointed to view the armor twice a year, which constables, the act says, “ shall present before justices assigned such defaults as they shall see in the country about armor; and the justices assigned shall present at every parliament unto the king such defaults as they shall find, and the Icing shall provide the remedy therein. The system organized by these statutes was evidently, from the context, intended in the first place for the preservation of internal peace, by the suppression of tumults, and keeping in check the bands of robbers that infested the public ways; the sheriff, as the conservator of the public peace, had always possessed the power of calling out the posse comitatus, or assembly of liegemen of the county, to assist him on such occasions; and it is supposed that it was the object of Edward III. to confirm and extend this authority, and at the same time to organize a force readily capable of being made applicable to resist invasion. In the United States each and every free, able-bodied, white male citizen of the respective States resident therein, who is of the age of 18 years and under 45 years, (except EXEMPTS, which see,) shall be enrolled in the militia by the captain or commanding officer of the company within whose bounds such citizen shall reside. The militia of the respective States shall be arranged into divisions, brigades, regiments, battalions and companies, as the legislature of each State shall direct. If the same be convenient, each brigade shall consist of four regiments; each regiment of two battalions; each battalion of five companies, and each company of sixty-four privates. The said militia shall be officered by the respective States as follows: to each division, one major-general and two aides-de-camp with the rank of major, one division-inspector with the rank of lieutenant-colonel, and one division-quartermaster, with the rank of major; to each brigade, one brigadier-general, one aide-de-camp with the rank of captain, one quartermaster, with the rank of captain, with one brigade-inspector, to serve also as brigade-major, with the rank of major; to each regiment consisting of two battalions one colonel, one lieutenant-colonel, and one major; where there shall be only one battalion, it shall be commanded by a major; to each regiment one chaplain; to each company one captain, one lieutenant, one ensign, four sergeants, four corporals, one drummer, and one fifer or bugler. There shall be a regimental staff, to consist of one adjutant and one quartermaster, to rank as lieutenants; one paymaster, one surgeon, and one surgeon's mate; one sergeant-major, one drum-major, and one fife-major; to the militia of each State one quartermaster-general; (Ads May 8, 1792, March 2, 1803, April 18, 1814, April 20, 1816.)

Out of the enrolled militia, there shall be formed for each battalion one company of grenadiers, light infantry or riflemen; and to each division there shall be at least one company of artillery and one troop of horse; there shall be to each company of artillery, one captain, two lieutenants, four sergeants, four corporals, six gunners, six bombardiers, one drummer, and one fifer. There shall be to each troop of horse, one captain, two lieutenants, one cornet, four sergeants, four corporals, one saddler, one farrier, and one trumpeter. Each troop of horse and company of artillery to be formed of volunteers of the brigade to which they belong; (Act May 8, 1792.)

It shall be the duty of the brigade-inspector to attend the regimental and battalion meetings of the militia, inspect their arms, ammunition, &c., superintend their exercise and manoeuvres, and introduce the system of military discipline throughout the brigade agreeably to law and such orders as they shall, from time to time, receive from the commander-in-chief of the State; to make returns to the adjutant-general of the State at least once. in every year, reporting the actual condition of the arms, accoutrements, and ammunition of the several corps, and every other thing which, in his judgment, may relate to their government and the general advancement of good order and military discipline; (May 8, 1792.)

Volunteer corps shall retain their accustomed privileges, subject nevertheless to all other duties required by this act, in like manner with the other militia; (Act May 8, 1792.)

There shall be an adjutant-general appointed in each State, whose duty it shall be to distribute all orders of the commander-in-chief of the State to the several corps; to attend all public reviews when the commander-in-chief shall review the militia; to obey all orders from him, relative to carrying into execution and perfecting the system of military discipline established by this act; to furnish blank forms of different returns that may be required, and to .explain the principles on which they should be made; to receive from the several officers of the different corps throughout the State, returns of the militia under their command, reporting the actual condition of their arms, and every thing which relates to the advancement of good order and discipline; all which the several officers of the divisions, brigades, regiments, and battalions are required to make, so that the adjutant-general may be duly furnished therewith; from all of which returns he shall make abstracts and lay the same annually before the commander-in-chief of the State; and he shall also make an annual return of the militia of the State, with their arms and accoutrements, &c., to the President of the United States; and the Secretary of War shall, from time to time, give directions to the adjutant-generals of States to produce uniformity in such returns; (Acts May 8, 1792; March 2, 1803, and May 12, 1820.)

Whenever militia shall be called into actual service of the United States, their pay shall commence from the day of their appearance at the places of battalion, regimental, or brigade rendezvous; allowing to each non-commissioned officer and soldier a day's pay and rations for every fifteen miles from his home to such place of rendezvous, and the same allowances for travelling home from the place of discharge; (Act Jan. 2, 1795.)

The militia or other State troops, being mustered and in pay of the United States, shall be subject to the same Rules and Articles of War as the troops of the United States, save only that courts-martial for the trial of militia or other State troops shall be composed entirely of militia officers; (ART. 97.) All officers, serving by commission from the authority of any particular States, shall, on all detachments, courts-martial, or other duty wherein they may be employed in conjunction with the regular forces of the United States, take rank next after all officers of like grade in said regular forces, notwithstanding the commissions of such militia or State officers may be older than the commissions of the officers of the regular forces of the United States; (ART. 98.)

By the act for calling forth the militia, approved Feb. 28, 1795, militia not to serve more than three months after arrival at the place of rendezvous. Every officer, non-commissioned officer, or private of militia that shall fail to obey the orders of the President of the United States, shall forfeit a sum not exceeding one year's pay, and not less than one month's pay, to be determined and adjudged by a court-martial; and such officer shall, moreover, be liable to be cashiered by sentence of a court-martial and be incapacitated from holding a commission in the militia for a term not exceeding twelve months, at the discretion of the said court; and such non-commissioned officers and privates shall be liable to be imprisoned by a like sentence, on failure of the payment of fines adjudged against them, for one calendar month for every five dollars of such fine.

Courts-martial for the trial of militia, shall be composed of militia officers only.

That all fines to be assessed, as aforesaid, shall be certified by the presiding officer of the court-martial before whom the same shall be assessed, to the marshal of the district in which the delinquent shall reside, or to one of his deputies, and also to the supervisor of the revenue of the same district, who shall record the said certificate in a book to be kept for that purpose. The said marshal, or his deputy, shall forthwith proceed to levy the said fines, with costs, by distress and sale of the goods and chattels of the delinquent; which costs, and the manner of proceeding with respect to the sale of the goods distrained, shall be agreeable to the laws of the State in which the same shall be, in other cases of distress. And where any non-commissioned officer or private shall be adjudged to suffer imprisonment, there being no goods or chattels to be found whereof to levy the said fines, the marshal of the district, or his deputy, may commit such delinquent to gaol, during the term for which he shall be so adjudged to imprisonment, or until the fine shall be paid, in the same manner as other persons condemned to fine and imprisonment at the suit of the United States may be committed.

That the marshals and their deputies shall pay all such fines by them levied, to the supervisor of the revenue in the district in which they are collected, within two months after they shall have received the same, deducting therefrom five per centum as a compensation for their trouble; and in case of failure, the same shall be recoverable by action of debt or information in any court of the United States of the district in which such fines shall be levied, having cognizance thereof, to be sued for, prosecuted, and recovered, in the name of the supervisor of the district, with interest and costs.

That the marshals of the several districts, and their deputies, shall have the same powers, in executing the laws of the United States, as sheriffs, and their deputies in the several States, have by law in executing the laws of the respective States.

And by a supplementary act approved in Feb. 1813, That, in every case in which a court-martial shall have adjudged and determined a fine against any officer, non- commissioned officer, musician, or private, of the militia, for any of the causes specified in the act to which this act is a supplement, or in the fourth section of an act, entitled “ An act to authorize a detachment from the militia of the United States,” all such fines, so assessed, shall be certified to the comptroller of the treasury of the United States, in the same manner as the act to which this act is a supplement directed the same to be certified to the supervisor of the revenue.

That the marshals shall pay all fines which have been levied and collected by them, or their respective deputies, under the authority of the acts herein referred to, into the treasury of the United States, within two months after they shall have received the same, deducting five per centum for their own trouble; and, in case of failure, it shall be the duty of the comptroller of the treasury to give notice to the district attorney of the United States, who shall proceed against the said marshal in the district court, by attachment, for the recovery of the same. (See CALLING FORTH MILITIA; DEFENCE, National.)


MILFORD, MISSOURI, December 18, 1861. Detachments of 1st Iowa and 4th U. S. Cavalry. Brigadier-General John Pope, commanding a large reconnoitering party, detached seven companies under Colonel J. C. Davis to attack the Confederates at Milford. Late on the afternoon of the 18th Davis came upon the enemy encamped in a wooded bottomland on the west side of the Blackwater river near Milford. The Confederate pickets were driven in across the stream, only passable by a small bridge which was held in force by the enemy. Lieutenant Gordon of Company D, 4th U. S. charged and carried the bridge, when another company of the regulars came across and the Confederates were pressed so closely that they were compelled to surrender. Some 1,300 men, 1,000 stands of arms, 65 wagons loaded with powder, and a quantity of tents, etc. fell into Federal hands. Two of the attacking party were killed and 8 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 597.


MILFORD, VIRGINIA, June 24, 1862. Detachments of the 1st Michigan and the 1st Maine Cavalry. As a reconnoitering force under Major Charles H. Town approached Milford it was met by Confederate pickets who were driven back through the town upon their main column posted in a woods beyond. On ascertaining that the thickness of the tress and the underbrush would not allow of a cavalry movement and that the enemy was attempting to flank him, Town withdrew to Bentonville. No casualties reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 597.


MILFORD, VIRGINIA, April 18, 1864. (See Bristoe Station, same date.)


MILFORD, VIRGINIA, October 26, 1864. 2nd Cavalry Division. Army of the Shenandoah. On the 25th Brig-General W. H. Powell, commanding the division, moved his entire force, except a small camp-guard, to a convenient position for an attack on the enemy's works on the north side of Milford creek. At daylight on the 26th he attacked the Confederate position on the right flank and front, supporting the attack with a vigorous fire of artillery. In this assault Powell expected the cooperation of Colonel Kidd's brigade, but Kidd missed the route and did not arrive in time to strike the enemy on the rear as intended. Owing to a lack of adequate force, Powell could not drive the Confederates from their works, but he managed to keep them in their trenches until late in the day, when he received orders to move to Guard hill, where he arrived at 10 p. m. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 598.


MILFORD STATION, VIRGINIA, May 20, 1864. 1st Cavalry Division, Army of the Potomac. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 598.


MILLARD, Harrison, musician, born in Boston, Massachusetts. 27 November, 1829. He was educated at public schools in his native city. In May, 1861, he was appointed 1st lieutenant in the 19th U. S. Infantry, and served during the Civil War as aide-de-camp, division commissary, and division inspector, on the staffs of Generals Lovell H. Rousseau, William S. Rosecrans, and Innis H. Palmer. While with the Army of the Cumberland he was wounded at Chickamauga, 19 September, 1863, and soon afterward resigned from the army. He then settled in New York City, where he was appointed in 1864 to a place in the custom-house, and remained there until 1885. Meanwhile he has devoted his leisure to musical composition, producing many songs and several masses. His ability in this direction has been conspicuous, and his efforts have tended toward giving character and dignity to American song literature, going far toward placing them on a level with similar German productions. His best-known songs are " Waiting, "When the Tide comes in," "Viva L' America,'' "Under the Daisies," and "Say not Farewell."  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 324.


MILLER, Elizabeth Smith, 1822-1911, feminist dress reformer, abolitionist.  Active in women’s suffrage and rights.  Originated bloomer costume for women.  (American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 15, p. 479; American Reformers: An H.W. Wilson Biographical Dictionary, New York, 1985, pp. 587-589)


MILLER, Homer Martin Virgil, senator, born in Pendleton County, South Carolina, 29 April, 1814. He moved with his parents to Raburn County, Georgia, where he received a classical education, was graduated at the Medical College of South Carolina in 1835, and completed his professional studios in Paris in 1838. On his return he settled in Cassville, Georgia, became a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church, and was licensed to preach without joining the itinerancy. He also participated in the presidential canvass of 1840 and in that of 1844, in which his eloquence won for him the title of the Demosthenes of the mountains. He was professor in the Medical College of Memphis, Tennessee, in 1846-'8, and occupied a similar office in the Medical College of Augusta, Georgia, in 1849-'65. During the Civil War, he was surgeon and division surgeon in the Confederate Army, and subsequently medical inspector of the Military Department of Georgia. After the war, he was an active member of the Constitutional Convention under the Reconstruction Acts of Congress. In 1870 he was elected to the U. S. Senate as a Democrat, to fill the seat that had been vacant since the Civil War, and served till 1871. Since 1869 he has been professor of the principles and practice of medicine in Atlanta Medical College. He is an editor of the "Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal," and for thirty years has been a trustee of the University of Georgia.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 326.


MILLER, Jacob Welsh, senator, born in German Valley, Morris County, New Jersey, in November, 1800; died in Morristown, New Jersey, 30 September, 1862. He received an academic education, studied law, was admitted to the bar of his native county, and attained eminence there. He was state senator in 1838-'40, and in the latter year was elected to the U. S. Senate as a Whig, serving till 1853. He opposed the compromise measures of 1850, and in 1855 joined the Republican Party, of which he continued an active member until his death.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 326.


MILLER, James Ferguson, naval officer, born in Peterborough, New Hampshire, 29 April, 1805; died in Boston, Massachusetts, 11 July, 1868.  He was appointed midshipman in 1826, passed midshipman in 1832, and lieutenant in 1837. He served through the Mexican War, but in consequence of African fever, from which he never fully recovered, was placed in the reserved list in 1855, He became commander on the retired list in 1861, and commodore in 1867.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 326.


MILLER, Elihu Spencer, lawyer, born in Princeton, New Jersey, 3 September, 1817; died in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 6 March, 1879.  He was graduated at Princeton in 1836, and studied law, first with James S. Green in Princeton, afterward with Reverdy Johnson in Baltimore. He was admitted to the bar in Baltimore and subsequently, in 1843, in Philadelphia, where he practised his profession during the remainder of his life. As a lawyer, he attained a very high standing among his contemporaries, and was well known for his integrity, intrepidity, and skill. He was a close thinker, a deliberate and careful speaker, and a man of pungent and refined wit. The great facility which he possessed for turning instantly from even the pleasures of life to the most serious work was a remarkable trait, and no less so was the tenacity with which he clung to any course in the conduct of legal work upon which he had deliberately entered. He occupied the chair of real estate and equity in the law department of the University of Pennsylvania for twenty years. During the Civil War he raised and commanded an artillery company. He died suddenly in his office at the close of his day's work. He published a " Treatise on the Law of Partition by Writ in Pennsylvania" (Philadelphia, 1847); and edited the second edition of Sergeant's "Treatise of the Lien of Mechanics and Material Men in Pennsylvania" (1856). He also printed a small collection of fugitive poems entitled "Caprices" (1849).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 327.


MILLER, Samuel, John, clergyman, born in Princeton, New Jersey, 6 April, 1819, was graduated at Princeton in 1836, and at the theological seminary there in 1842. He was pastor successively of Presbyterian Churches in Frederick, Maryland, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and Petersburg, Virginia. During the Civil War he was a captain of artillery in the Confederate Army, and since 1871 he has resided in Princeton, where he has founded three "Evangelical" churches and officiated in them. In 1877 he was dismissed from the presbytery of his church for holding heterodox views on the subject of the Trinity, and other minor points of ecclesiastical difference affecting the peccability of Christ, and the state of the dead, but on appealing to the synod of New Jersey was permitted to withdraw as an independent clergyman without deposition. His later years for the most part have been devoted to controversial writings, and his publications include " Design of the Church " (Philadelphia. 1846); "A Commentary on the Proverbs” (New York, 1863); "Fetich in Theology" (1874); "Metaphysics" (1875); "Are Souls Immortal?" (Philadelphia, 1877): "Was Christ in Adam?" (1877): "Is God a Trinity!" (1877); "Creed" (Princeton, 1879); "Theology" (1887): and "Commentary on Romans" (1887).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 327


MILLER, John Franklin, senator, born in South Bend, Indiana, 21 November, 1831; died in Washington, D. C, 8 March, 1886. He was educated in the academies of his native state, graduated at the New York State Law-School in 1852, and began practice in South Bend, Indiana. The failure of his health induced him to spend the next three years in California, but he returned in 1855, resumed his profession, and took an active part in the Republican presidential canvass of 1856. He was a member of the state senate in 1860, but resigned to enter the army, and, after serving on the governor's staff as colonel, was in command of the 29th Regiment of Indiana Volunteers. He was engaged from the beginning of hostilities in the west. At the battle of Stone River he charged at the head of a brigade across the river, drove General John C. Breckinridge from his position, and received a bullet-wound in his neck. For his gallantry in this action he was promoted brigadier general of volunteers. In the battle of Liberty Gap he made another charge with his brigade, and at the moment of victory he was severely wounded in the eye. He commanded a division of 8,000 men on the left at the battle of Nashville, and was brevetted major-general of volunteers in 1860. At the close of the war he was offered a colonel's commission in the regular army, but declined, settled in San Francisco, and for four years was collector of the port. He then engaged in business, and was an originator and president of the Alaska Commercial Fur Company, in which he amassed a large fortune. He was a Republican presidential elector in 1872, 1876, and 1880, a member of the California Constitutional Convention in 1879 and was elected to the U. S. Senate as a Republican in January, 1881, serving from the following March until his death. He was a member of the Senate Committees on Foreign Relations and Naval Affairs in the 47th Congress, and in the 48th and 49th chairman of the former, and a member of that on Civil Service and Retrenchment.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 327-328.


MILLER, Jonathan Peckham, 1797-1874, Montpelier, Vermont, reformer, abolitionist, Manager, 1834-1837, American Anti-Slavery Society.  (Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 328; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 6, Pt. 2, p. 632)

MILLER, Jonathan P., reformer, born in Randolph, Vermont, in 1797; died in Montpelier in 1847. He was educated at the University of Vermont and became a lawyer. In 1824 he went to Greece as a volunteer, and after the siege and fall of Missolonghi in April, 1826, he returned to Vermont and lectured through New York and the New England States for the benefit of the Greek cause. At the solicitation of the Boston and New York Greek Committee, Colonel Miller went to Greece a second time as their general agent, and distributed several cargoes of provisions and clothing to the suffering Greeks, returning to Montpelier, Vermont, in 1827. He introduced anti-slavery resolutions into the Vermont Legislature in 1833. He was a delegate from his state to the World's Anti-Slavery Convention in London in 1840, and from that time until his death gave a large part of his time and fortune to the furtherance of the anti-slavery cause. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 328.


MILLER, Joseph Nelson, naval officer, born in Ohio, 22 November, 1836. He entered the U.S. Navy in 1851, became passed midshipman in 1856, master in 1858, lieutenant in 1860, lieutenant-commander in 1862, commander in 1870, and captain in 1881. He served as executive officer on the iron-clad "Passaic" in the attack upon Fort Sumter and Fort McAllister during the spring of 1863, and in the same capacity on board the "Monadnock" in both the Fort Fisher fights, and. was highly recommended for ability and bravery in these actions. He is now (1888) in command of the receiving-ship " Wabash."    Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 328.


MILLER, Madison, soldier, born in Mercer, Pennsylvania, 6 February, 1811. He was educated in the common schools, was captain of the 2d Regiment of Illinois Volunteers in the Mexican War, and wounded at the battle of Buena Vista. He was judge of El Dorado County, California, in 1851-'2, was subsequently for several years a resident of Carondelet, Missouri, and president of the St. Louis and Iron Mountain Railroad. At the beginning of the Civil War he entered the U. S. Army as captain of the 1st Missouri Infantry, was promoted colonel of volunteers in 1862, commanded the 2d Brigade of the 6th Division at Shiloh, where he was captured, and while a prisoner was one of a commission sent by the Confederates to Washington to arrange for an exchange of prisoners. In March, 1865, he received the brevet of brigadier-general for meritorious service at Wilson's Creek and Shiloh. He was in the Missouri Senate in 1865, and since 1867 has been fund commissioner of the Missouri Railroad.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 328.


MILLER, Morris Smith, soldier, born in Utica, New York., 2 April, 1814; died in New Orleans, Louisiana, 11 March, 1870. He was graduated at the U. S. Military Academy in 1834, became 1st lieutenant in 1837, captain in 1846, quartermaster with the rank of major in 1861, and lieutenant-colonel on the staff and deputy quartermaster-general in 1866. In March, 1865, he was brevetted colonel and brigadier-general for faithful service in the quartermaster's department during the Civil War. He had served during the Canada border disturbances, was in the Florida and Mexican Wars, and in 1861, as quartermaster at Washington. D. C. was responsible for all the arrangements for the arrival of troops to defend the capital. Upon the attack on the Massachusetts volunteers in Baltimore, 19 April, 1861, he was ordered by General Winfield Scott to Annapolis to attend to forwarding the New York and Massachusetts troops that were expected by that route. Finding that no troops had arrived, he returned, but a second attempt was successful, and he reached Annapolis in time to forward the first troops that arrived in Washington. Throughout the entire war he remained in the quartermaster's department at Washington. After four years, during which $20,000,000 passed through his hands, an examination of his accounts showed that less than $20 was to be disallowed.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 326.


MILLER, Samuel Freeman, 1816-1890, lawyer, jurist, Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.  Member of the U.S. House of Representatives, voted for Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution, abolishing slavery.  Supported emancipation.  Leader of the Republican Party.  Appointed by Abraham Lincoln as Associate Justice of the U.S. Supreme Court.  (Appletons’, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 328-329; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 6, Pt. 2, p. 637; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 15, p. 516; Congressional Globe)

MILLER, Samuel Freeman, jurist, born in Richmond, Kentucky, 5 April, 1816. He was graduated at the medical department of Transylvania University, Kentucky, in 1838, practised for a short time, and afterward became a lawyer. He was strongly in favor of emancipation, and did much to further that cause, and, although he took no part in politics, the course of public affairs induced him to remove in 1850 from Kentucky to Iowa, where he became a leader of the Republican Party. He was offered and declined numerous offices, and devoted himself to his profession, in which he took high rank. In 1862 he was appointed by President Lincoln Associate Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court, which office he still (1888) occupies. He was the orator at the Constitutional Centennial Celebration at Philadelphia. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 328-329.


MILLER, Stephen, soldier, born in Perry County, Pennsylvania. 7 January, 1816; died in Worthington, Minnesota, 18 August, 1881. His grandfather, Melchior Miller, came from Germany about 1785. Stephen received a common-school education, became a forwarding and commission merchant in Harrisburg in 1837, was elected prothonotary of Dauphin County in 1849 and 1852, and in 1853-'5 edited the "Telegraph," a Whig journal at Harrisburg. In 1855-'8 he was flour-inspector of Philadelphia, and in the latter year he moved to Minnesota for his health, and engaged in business in St. Cloud. He was a delegate to the Republican National Convention of 1860, and a presidential elector on the Lincoln ticket in that year. He enlisted as a private soldier in 1861, was made lieutenant-colonel of the 1st Minnesota Infantry, and served with the Army of the Potomac till September, 1862, when he became colonel of the 7th Minnesota, and assisted, with his regiment, in quelling the Indian outbreak of that year in his adopted state. He was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers, 26 October, 1863, and shortly afterward elected governor of Minnesota, so that he resigned from the army on 18 January, 1864. He served as governor in 1864-'5, and from 1871 till his death was field-agent of the St. Paul and Sioux City Railroad. He was also in the legislature in 1873, and a presidential elector on the Hayes ticket in 1876.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 329.


MILLER, Warner, senator, born in Oswego County, New York., 12 August, 1838. His parents were of German extraction, and his grandfather served as a colonel in the Revolutionary army. Warner was graduated at Union in 1860. He enlisted a few months later as a private in a New York cavalry regiment, served under General Philip H. Sheridan in the Shenandoah Valley, and was promoted lieutenant. At the battle of Winchester, he was taken prisoner, and paroled on the field. Soon afterward he was honorably discharged and went, abroad, where he became interested in paper-manufacturing, and on his return, he established himself in this business in Herkimer, New York., where he still (1888) resides. His first active participation in politics was in 1872, when he was a delegate to the National Republican Convention at Philadelphia. He was in the legislature in 1874-'8, was elected to Congress as a Republican in 1878, and re-elected in 1880, but in 1881 was chosen U. S. Senator from New York to fill the unexpired term of Thomas C. Piatt, who had resigned. His term expired in 1887, when he was succeeded by Frank Hiscock.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 329.


MILLER, STEAMER, CAPTURE OF, August 7, 1864. (See Arkansas River.)


MILLERSTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA, July 3, 1863. (See Fairfield.)


MILLIKEN'S BEND, LOUISIANA, August 18, 1862. (See Fair Play, capture of.)


MILLIKEN'S BEND, LOUISIANA, June 7, 1863. African Brigade, 23d Iowa Infantry and Gunboats Lexington and Choctaw. At 3 a. m. of the 7th a large Confederate force under McCulloch advanced upon the garrison at Milliken's bend under Colonel Herman Lieb. The enemy opened upon the Federal left, moving in close column by division with no skirmishers, and a strong cavalry force on the right flank. When they were within easy musket range Lieb's men opened fire, causing a portion of the Confederates to waver and give way but the remainder pushed on to the levee with the cry of no quarter." The African regiments were poorly equipped and inexperienced in the handling of arms, so that the enemy was successful in reaching and getting upon the works before more than one or two volleys had been fired. For several minutes a desperate hand-to-hand conflict ensued, the negroes using their bayonets and clubbed guns, but were at last compelled to fall back when outflanked. By the time the Federals reached the river bank the gunboats had come up and poured two or three broadsides into the advancing Confederate column which caused it to fall back precipitately. Lieb lost in this affair 101 men killed, 285 wounded and 266 captured or missing. McCulloch had 44 killed, 131 wounded and 10 captured or missing. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 598-599.


MILLEN'S GROVE, GEORGIA, December 1, 1864. 5th Kentucky and 8th Indiana Cavalry, and 88th Indiana Infantry. While General Sherman's army was moving toward Savannah the 5th Kentucky became engaged at Millen's grove with a detachment of Confederate cavalry. The enemy extended his line to envelop the flanks of the regiment, which was being slowly forced back when Colonel Jones, with the 8th Indiana came up and turned the tide of battle, completely routing the enemy, after which the two regiments pursued for some distance. The Union loss was 2 men killed, 9 wounded, and 20 horses captured by the Confederates. Colonel Baldwin, commanding the Kentucky regiment, estimated the enemy's loss in killed and wounded as being between 30 and 40. Near the same place on the same day a foraging party of the 88th Indiana infantry met and repulsed a small detachment of Wheeler's cavalry, but without serious loss on either side. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 599.


MILL POINT, WEST VIRGINIA, November 5, 1863. 14th Pennsylvania and 2nd 3d and 8th West Virginia Cavalry. At daybreak Colonel James N. Schoonmaker found a Confederate force under Jackson drawn up in a strong position opposite his lines and awaiting attack. After firing on the Union skirmishers for half an hour without getting any reply, the enemy opened with artillery which compelled Schoonmaker to seek shelter for his command. This move made Jackson think the Federals were retiring and he immediately began to advance. Without doubt the Confederates would have driven Schoonmaker had not reinforcements (2nd and 8th West Virginia) come to his aid. The casualties were not reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 599.


MILL SPRINGS, KENTUCKY, January 19-20, 1862. 1st Division, Army of the Ohio. In September 1861, General Albert S. Johnston was assigned to the command of the Confederate Department of the West, which included a large territory west of the Mississippi river and the States of Kentucky and Tennessee. One of Johnston's first acts was to establish a line of operations from Cumberland gap to the Mississippi. (See Fort Henry.) General Zollicoffer was ordered to Cumberland gap to guard the right of this line and prevent the Federals from crossing the Cumberland river. Zollicoffer was without military training or experience, and in November General George B. Crittenden was assigned to the command of the district. Early in December Brigadier-General D. C. Buell, commanding the Federal Department of the Ohio, organized the Union forces in Kentucky and Tennessee into the Army of the Ohio, the 1st division of which was placed under command of Brigadier-General George H. Thomas, with orders to operate in the district east of New Haven, Kentucky. The division was composed of four brigades of four regiments each. The 1st was commanded by Brigadier-General Albin Schoepf, the 2nd by Colonel M. D. Manson, the 3d by Colonel R. L. McCook, and the 12th by Brigadier-General S. P. Carter. In addition to these regular organizations there were Wolford's 1st Kentucky cavalry, a squadron of Indiana cavalry under Captain Graham, and three batteries of light artillery unattached. The Confederate forces at the battle of Mill Springs consisted of two brigades, commanded by Brigadier-Generals F. K. Zollicoffer and W. H. Carroll, and a battalion of Tennessee cavalry under Lieutenant-Colonel G. R. McClellan. the entire force being commanded by General Crittenden in person. Mill Springs is located on the south bank of the Cumberland river, about 15 miles south of Somerset. Late in November Johnston sent instructions to Zollicoffer that he was merely to watch the river, and that he could do so from Mill Springs better than he could by crossing to the north side, where he would be "with the enemy in front and the river behind" in case of an assault on his position. But before these instructions were received Zollicoffer had thrown his force across the river and fortified a position at Beech Grove, lying in the angle formed by Fishing creek and the Cumberland river. This movement led to Crittenden's assuming command of the forces there soon after it was made. On December 29 Buell directed Thomas to move against Zollicoffer's left flank, while Schoepf's brigade, then at Somerset, was to attack in front, and either drive him back across the river or destroy his command. Thomas left Lebanon on the last day of December with Manson's brigade, two regiments of McCook's, a battalion of Wolford's cavalry and Kenny's battery. Owing to bad roads the march was slow, so that it was January 17 before he reached Logan's crossroads, 10 miles from the Confederate camp and about 8 miles from Somerset. Here he halted until the rear column could come up, and sent word to Schoepf to send to the cross-roads the 12th Kentucky, 1st and 2nd Tennessee, and Standart's battery. These troops arrived on the 18th, as did also the 4th Kentucky, Wetmore's battery and a battalion of the Michigan engineers. For several days Crittenden had been constructing boats to recross the river, but they were not ready when he learned that the Union forces were concentrating in his front. On the 18th he sent the following communication to Johnston: "I am threatened by a superior force of the enemy in front, and finding it impossible to cross the river, I will have to make the fight on the ground I now occupy. If you can do so, I would ask that a diversion be made in my favor." Finding that no diversion was likely to be made. Crittenden resolved to move out and attack Thomas at the cross-roads. Accordingly he left his camp about midnight that night, his cavalry in advance, and about dayl1ght on the 19th struck the Federal pickets (Wolford's cavalry) 2 miles from the Union camp. Wolford sent word to Manson that the enemy was advancing in force, and then fell back slowly on the main body. Manson formed the 10th Indiana on the road to meet the attack, ordered the 4th Kentucky to its support, and reported to Thomas, who immediately ordered the other officers to form their commands for action. The attack was commenced by Zollicoffer's brigade and was made with such vigor that the 10th Indiana and Wolford's cavalry were compelled to fall back before the supports arrived. Colonel Speed S. Fry, commanding the 4th Kentucky, who had formed his regiment quickly in response to Manson's order, came up o11 the left of the 10th Indiana, took a position along the edge of the woods and opened fire. This gave the Indianians an opportunity to rally and the two regiments held the enemy in check until other troops could be brought up. The Confederates were sheltered by a ravine and Fry rode a short distance to the right to get a better view of their position. About the same time Zollicoffer got the impression that the 4th Kentucky was a Confederate regiment and rode to the front to order his men to stop firing on their friends. The two officers met and Zollicoffer asked that the firing be stopped as the two commands belonged to the same side. As Zollicoffer wore a long waterproof coat over his uniform Fry did not recognize him as a Confederate officer, and was in the act of riding back to his regiment to give the order to cease firing, when a Confederate fired and wounded his horse. Fry wheeled suddenly, drew his revolver and shot Zollicoffer through the heart. The fall of their leader threw the Confederates into some confusion, but Crittenden rallied them, ordered Carroll to bring up his brigade, and then gave orders for a general advance. At this juncture Thomas came upon the field and noticed that the enemy was moving through a cornfield to turn Fry's left flank. To meet this movement he threw Carter's brigade and a section of Kenny's battery to the left of the 4th Kentucky and the enemy was driven back. Colonel McCook now came up with the 9th Ohio and 2nd Minnesota and relieved the 10th Indiana and 4th Kentucky, as the ammunition of these two regiments was about exhausted. Scarcely had McCook's men got into position when the general assault ordered by Crittenden was commenced, and for the next half hour a spirited fire was maintained by both sides. By the end of that time the Indianans and Kentuckians had replenished their cartridge boxes and again took their places in the line. Carter now advanced against the enemy on the left, the 2nd Minnesota kept up a galling fire in the center, the 9th Ohio made a dashing charge with fixed bayonets on the right, which completely turned that flank, and soon afterward the whole Confederate line broke and fled in disorder. Halting only long enough to be sure the troops were supplied with ammunition, Thomas pushed on in pursuit. Upon approaching the intrenchments at Beech Grove the infantry was deployed in line of battle and steadily advanced to the top of the hill overlooking the works, when Wetmore's and Standart's batteries were directed to shell the fortifications, while Kenny's battery kept up a fire on the ferry to prevent the Confederates from crossing. However, Crittenden managed to cross during the night, by means of a small stern-wheel steamer and two old flatboats, leaving all his camp equipage, etc. behind. The morning of the 20th the Union troops moved 1n and took possession of the works, together with 12 pieces of artillery, with their caissons filled with ammunition; a large number of small arms, mostly flint-lock muskets; about 150 wagons; over 1,000 horses and mules, and a large amount of commissary stores. As the enemy had burned the boats after crossing the river the pursuit ended at the Cumberland. Crittenden's army was completely demoralized, the men after crossing the river scattering in all directions through the mountains of Kentucky and eastern Tennessee. The engagement was called by the Confederates the battle of Fishing creek; the Union troops gave it the name of Mill Springs, though the hard fighting was really done at Logan's cross-roads, 10 miles distant. Thomas reported his loss as being 39 killed and 207 wounded. Crittenden gave his losses as 125 killed, 309 wounded and 99 missing. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 599-601.


MILL SPRINGS, KENTUCKY, May—, 1863. Detachment of 1st Kentucky Cavalry. A report received by Brigadier-General Samuel P. Carter from Major William N. Owens states that the Confederates had been driven across the river at Mill Springs, with a loss of 3 killed and several wounded, besides several men and horses captured. Nine Federals were reported missing. Mill Springs, Kentucky, May 29, 1863. Detachment of 1st Kentucky Infantry. Lieutenant-Colonel Silas Adams with a small party crossed the Cumberland river and attacked the Confederates at Mill Springs. One of the enemy was wounded and 33 were captured. One Union man accidentally shot himself, which was the only casualty on that side. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 601.


MILLS, Clark, sculptor, born in Onondaga County, New York., 1 December 1815; died in Washington, D. C, 12 January, 1883. He was left an orphan at the age of five years, and then lived with a maternal uncle, but, becoming dissatisfied with his home, ran away in 1828. After a hard experience working on a farm, cutting cedar posts in a swamp, and learning the millwright's trade, he reached New Orleans, Louisiana, where he stayed a year and then went to Charleston, South Carolina. Here he learned the stucco business, which he followed until 1835, when he discovered a new method of taking a cast from the living face, which enabled him to make busts so cheaply that he soon had as much work as he could do. He then resolved to try cutting in marble, and began a bust of John C. Calhoun, for which he was awarded a gold medal by the City Council of Charleston, and it was placed by them in the city hall. Subsequently he executed, busts of John Preston, Wade Hampton, and other eminent South Carolinians. He was invited in 1848 to furnish a design for an equestrian statue of Andrew Jackson, to be erected in Washington. He completed his model in eight months, and it was accepted. His treatment was entirely original. The statue was unveiled on the anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, in 1853. It stands on Lafayette Square, and was cast from cannon taken from the British during the War of 1812. Later he obtained a second commission for a colossal equestrian statue of George Washington, and purchased ground in the vicinity of Washington, where he built a complete foundry. His statue of Washington represents a scene in the battle of Princeton. It was dedicated in Washington on 22 February, 1860. Meanwhile Mr. Mills also executed a replica of his Jackson statue for the city of New Orleans, Louisiana. In 1860 he began his statue of "Freedom," after Thomas Crawford's designs, which was completed in 1863, and now stands above the dome of the Capitol. The latter part of his life was spent in making busts, and he invented a method of putting plaster on the face of his subjects, thereby adding greatly to the truthfulness of his casts.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 331-332.


MILLS, Darius Ogden, banker, born in North Salem, Westchester County, New York, 5 September, 1825. His father died when he was sixteen, and, later investments having proved unfortunate, the lad was left without resources. He soon found a clerkship in New York, and at twenty-two became cashier and one-third owner of a small bank in Buffalo. Two years later he was one of the earliest victims of the gold fever, sailing for California in December, 1848. He soon began business in Sacramento, and the Gold Bank of D. O. Mills and Company, then established, is still flourishing and still under his control—the oldest bank of unbroken credit in the state. He was immediately and conspicuously successful. The "luck of D. O. Mills" became a proverb, but it was attended with a reputation for judgment, rapid decision, boldness, and absolute integrity. He became largely interested in mines on the great Comstock Lode, secured control of the Virginia and Truckee Railroad leading to it, and of the immense forests about Lake Tahoe which supplied it, acquired a large share in the chief quicksilver-mines, and bought extensive ranches and other property, but dealt in everything on his principles as a banker, boldly, but rarely in a speculative way. In 1864 he founded the Bank of California, in San Francisco, heading the subscription for the capital and assuming the presidency. It became one of the best-known banks of the country, with the highest credit in the financial centres both of Europe and Asia. Desiring finally to retire from business, Mr. Mills resigned the presidency in 1873, leaving the bank with a capital of $5,000,000, large surplus, profitable business, first-rate organization, and unlimited credit. Two years later he was called back to find it with liabilities of $ 13,500,000 above its capital and surplus, with only $100,000 in its vaults, and with many doubtful assets. His old cashier, William C. Ralston, had been president meantime. He had lent Ralston the capital on which the latter began business in San Francisco, and had trusted him. Mr. Mills had resigned his directorship in the bank when retiring from its management, and finally had sold his stock; but Ralston, against his wishes, had continued to have him elected a director, buying enough of Mr. Mills's stock to qualify for a directorship, and keeping it in Mr. Mills's name, without his knowledge. Mr. Mills returned from Europe shortly before the crash, and was first appealed to by William Sharon to save Ralston's personal credit He  at once responded, loaning Mr. Ralston $400,000 that day, and $350,000 more within the week. It subsequently appeared that this money was used , to take up fraudulent over-issues of the bank's stock. A few days later the bank failed, creating an excitement that convulsed the Pacific Coast. Mr. Ralston committed suicide, and Mr. Mills was recalled to the presidency. He headed the new subscription with $1,000,000, raised nearly $7,000,000 more, and opened the doors of the bank one month and five days after they had been closed. He insisted on holding the presidency now without pay, and resigned peremptorily within three years, as soon as he felt that the bank was firmly reestablished. Afterward he uniformly refused the care of any business but his own. He gradually transferred heavy investments to the east, erected the largest office-building in New York, and finally returned to reside near his birthplace. He had been regent of the University of California, and when he resigned this place he gave an endowment of $75,000 to found the Mills professorship of moral and intellectual philosophy. About the same time, he presented to the state the marble group "Columbus before Queen Isabella," by Larkin G. Meade, which now stands in the centre of the state-house rotunda at Sacramento. In New York, he presented to the city a building on the Bellevue Hospital grounds, costing $100,000, for the training of male nurses. He has been an active trustee of the Lick estate and Lick Observatory in California, of the Metropolitan Museum, of the Museum of Natural History, and also of the American Geographical Society.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 332.


MILLS, Robert, architect, born in Charleston, South Carolina, 12 August, 1781; died in Washington. D. C, 3 March, 1855. He studied architecture under Benjamin H. Latrobe, and designed several buildings in Pennsylvania, among which were the fire-proof wings of "Independence Hall, Philadelphia, the capitol in Harrisburg, and the single-arch bridge across the Schuylkill. Subsequently he erected several U. S. custom-houses and marine hospitals. In 1820 he returned to South Carolina, and there became state architect and engineer. He was recalled to Washington in 1830, appointed U. S. Architect, and supervised the building of the U. S. Post-Office, Patent-Office, and Treasury Buildings. The original design of the Washington Monument, the loftiest structure ever erected by man. was made by him. It included a granite shaft faced with white marble, 600 feet high, 55 feet square at the base, 30 feet square at the top, surrounded at its base by a circular colonnade or pantheon, in which to place statues of the nation’s illustrious dead, with vaults beneath for the reception of their remains. The plan for the circular colonnade was never carried out, but, under the auspices of the Washington National Monument Society, the construction of the monument was begun in 1848 on the very spot selected by Washington himself for a memorial of  the American Revolution. Funds amounting to nearly $250,000 were contributed by the people of the linked States of all ages and from all quarters of the Union, and the construction continued until 1850, when it reached a height of over 156 feet. The financial embarrassments of the time led to the discontinuance of the work, and it was not until 1877 when, by act of Congress, its completion was authorized, and Colonel Thomas L. Casey, of the U. S. Engineers, placed in charge. Various modifications of the original plan were made by him, including the building of an entire new base, which was found to be necessary, until finally it was dedicated, in the presence of President Arthur and his cabinet, on 22 February, 1885. The address of the occasion was written by Robert C. Winthrop, who in 1848 had delivered an oration on the laying of the corner-stone. As shown in the accompanying illustration, the monument is 555 feet 5 inches, the shaft being 500 feet 5 inches high, and the pyramidion 55 feet. The topmost point is 597 feet 3 inches above mean low water in the Potomac, and 596 feet 9-36 inches above the mean level of the Atlantic at Sandy Hook, New York, as determined, 1 December, 1884, by the U. S. Coast and Geodetic Survey. Mr. Mills published " Statistics of South Carolina " with "Atlas of South Carolina" (Charleston, 1826); "The American Pharos or Light-house Guide (Washington, 1832); and "Guide to the National Executive Offices" (1842).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 332-333.


MILLSVILLE, MISSOURI, July 16, 1861. Millwood, Virginia, February 6, 1863. Detachment of Milroy's Cavalry. Some Confederate cavalry captured the stage running between Martinsburg and Winchester, taking 2 officers and 2 privates that were on the stage, as well as several citizens, prisoners. General Milroy sent out a company of cavalry, which came up with the enemy near Millwood, released the prisoners, recaptured the stage and all the plunder that the Confederates had taken, besides killing 1, wounding 1 and capturing 2 of the troop. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 601-602.


MILLWOOD, VIRGINIA, December 17, 1864. Detachment of 2nd Cavalry Division, Department of West Virginia. Bvt. Brigadier-General William B. Tibbits in a despatch states that a patrol under Captain William W. Miles was attacked by 300 Confederates near Millwood. The result was the killing of Miles and 10 of his men. the wounding of 17 others and the capture of 20. Milton, Florida, August 29, 1864. Detachments of 2nd Maine Cavalry, 19th Iowa Infantry and 1st Florida Battery. An expedition under Brig.-General Alexander Asboth started from Barrancas to surprise and capture three companies of Confederate cavalry, recruiting at Milton. Owing to the low stage of the water in the river the troops were obliged to disembark from the steamers before they had anticipated, so that all hope of surprising the camp was lost. On arriving at Milton a company of cavalry and one of mounted infantry were discovered drawn up in battle array, but a charge of the Federal cavalry sent them flying in all directions. The pursuit following resulted in the capture of 4 men and a number of horses, arms, etc. There were no casualties on the Union side. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 602.


MILMORE, Martin, sculptor, born in Sligo, Ireland, 14 September, 1844; died in Boston Highlands, Mass., 21 July, 1883, emigrated with his family to Boston in 1851, and took lessons in wood-carving in early life from his elder brother, Joseph. After his graduation at the Latin-school in 1860, he entered the studio of Thomas Ball, and several years later established himself in a studio of his own in Boston. In 1863 he cut for the Sanitary Fair a statuette entitled "Devotion." He received the contract from the city for the Soldiers' and Sailors' Monument on the Common. He then went to Rome and studied for some time, completing designs for some parts of the monument while there. It was unveiled in 1877. (See illustration.) While in Rome, Mr. Milmore modelled busts of Pope Pius IX, Charles Sumner, Wendell Phillips, Ralph Waldo Emerson, and other eminent men. He designed the Soldiers' Monument at Forest Hill Cemetery, and also the one at Charlestown. Among his works are busts
of Longfellow, Theodore Parker, and George Ticknor, in the public library, and the largo ideal figures Ceres," " Flora," and " Pomona, in granite on Horticultural Hall. His bust of Charles Sumner, which was presented to George William Curtis by the state of Massachusetts after the delivery of the sitter's eulogy before the legislature in 1878, has been placed by Mr. Curtis in the Metropolitan Museum. Among Milmore's other public works are his statue of "America" at Fitchburg, soldiers' and sailors' monuments in many cities, statue of General Sylvanus Thayer at West Point, and the "Weeping Lion" at Waterville, Maine. He designed, with his brother, the granite "Sphinx" at Mt. Auburn Cemetery. Mr. Milmore's last work was a bust of Daniel Webster, which had been ordered by New Hampshire for the state-house at Concord.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 333-334.


MILROY, Robert Huston, soldier, born in Washington County, Indiana, 11 June, 1816. He was graduated at Norwich University, Vermont, in 1843, taking degrees both in the classical and military departments. In the war with Mexico he served as captain in the 1st Indiana Volunteers. He studied law, was admitted to the bar in 1849, and in 1850 was graduated at the law department of Indiana University. He was a member of the Constitutional Convention of Indiana in 1849-'50, and in 1851 was appointed judge of the 8th Judicial Circuit Court of Indiana. At the beginning of the Civil War he issued a call for volunteers and was made a captain, becoming colonel of the 9th Indiana Volunteers on 26 April, 1861. He served in western Virginia under Generals George B. McClellan and William S. Rosecrans, receiving a commission as brigadier-general on 6 February, 1862.  Thereafter Milroy continued in various commands in Virginia under Generals John C. Fremont and Franz Sigel, until 10 March, 1863, when he was made major-general of volunteers. In this capacity, he had charge of the 2d Division of the 8th Army Corps, and was stationed at Winchester, Virginia. Here, on 15 June, 1863, he was attacked by nearly the whole of Lee's army, which was marching toward Pennsylvania. General Milroy resisted this superior force for three days, until his ammunition and provisions were exhausted, and then cut his way out by night, losing a large portion of his forces. He claims that this detention of Lee's army at Winchester enabled General Meade to fight advantageously at Gettysburg; when otherwise the great battle would have taken place farther north. His conduct was made the subject of investigation, and in 1865 he resigned from the army. In 1868 he became a trustee of the Wabash and Erie Canal, which place he held for some time. He was appointed superintendent of Indian Affairs in Washington Territory, and continued in that office until 1874. He was appointed Indian Agent in 1875, and reappointed until 1885, when, consequent upon a change in the administration, he lost the office.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 334.


MILTON, FLORIDA, October 18, 1864. Detachment of 19th Iowa Infantry and 1st Florida Battery. This detachment under Lieutenant-Colonel A. B. Spurling of the 2nd Maine cavalry, proceeded up the Blackwater from Barrancas to within 9 miles of Milton, where the troops were disembarked from the steamer Planter and proceeded to gather logs. While thus engaged some 300 Confederates attacked. They were allowed to come within close range when the battery opened upon them and they fell back. Spurling's command lost 1 killed and 2 wounded. The Confederate loss was not known. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 602.


MILTON, FLORIDA, October 26, 1864. 2nd Maine Cavalry. As an incident of an expedition up the Blackwater from Barrancas under Lieutenant-Colonel Andrew B. Spurling, the cavalry drove the Confederates through Milton, capturing 8 and killing 5 or 6. No casualties were suffered by the Union force. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 602.


MILTON, TENNESSEE, February 18, 1863. 2nd Michigan and 3d Ohio Cavalry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 602.


MILTON, TENNESSEE, March 20, 1863. (See Vaught's Hill, same date.)


MIMM'S MILLS, GEORGIA, April 20, 1865. (See Spring Hill, same date.)


MINE. Powder placed in subterranean cavities, by exploding which every thing above it is overthrown. Mines are offensive when they are prepared by besiegers, and defensive when used by the besieged. The place where the powder is lodged is called the chamber of the mine, and it is generally made of a cubical form large enough to contain the wooden box which holds the powder necessary for the charge. The fire is communicated to the mine by means of a pipe or hose made of coarse cloth filled with powder, laid in a wooden case about an inch square, extending from the centre of the chamber to the extremity of the gallery, where a match is fixed so that the miner who applies the fire to it, may have time to retire before the flame reaches the chamber. (See FOUGASSE; GALLEEY.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 424).


MINE CREEK, KANSAS, October 25, 1864. (See Marais des Cygnes.)


MINE RUN, VIRGINIA, November 26-December 2, 1863. Army of the Potomac. At by Major-General George Meade and consisted of the 1st, 2nd, 3d, 5th and 6th army corps, respectively under Major-Generals John Newton, Gouverneur K. Warren, William H. French, George Sykes and John Sedgwick. The divisions of Newton's corps were commanded by Brigadier-Generals Solomon Meredith, John C. Robinson and John R. Kenly; those of Warren's corps were under Brigadier-Generals John C. Caldwell, Alexander S. Webb and Alexander Hays; of French's, Major General David B. Birney, and Brigadier-Generals Henry Prince and Joseph B. Carr; of Sykes', Brigadier-Generals Joseph J. Bartlett, Romeyn B. Ayres and Samuel W. Crawford; and of Sedgwick's, Brigadier-Generals Horatio G. Wright, Albion P. Howe and Henry D. Terry. Kenly's division of Newton's corps did not accompany the expedition, being left to guard the railroad near Brandy Station. The cavalry corps was under Major-General Alfred Pleasonton, whose division commanders were Brigadier-Generals John Buford, David McM. Gregg and George A. Custer, and the artillery was under Brigadier-General Henry J. Hunt. While Custer's division of cavalry was attracting the attention of the enemy in front of his position at Raccoon and Morton's fords the rest of the army was to proceed to the lower fords of the Rapidan river, Jacobs', Germanna and Culpeper Mine, and cross simultaneously. French, with his corps, was to proceed to Jacob's ford and his line of march being closest to the then known position of the Confederates, was to be followed by Sedgwick as a support. Warren was to cross at Germanna ford and Sykes, supported by the two divisions of the 1st corps, was to proceed by way of Culpeper Mine ford. Pursuant to the above plan the army was put in motion at 6 a. m. of the 26th, the heads of the 2nd and 5th corps reaching their crossing places between 9 and 10 a. m. For some unknown reason the 3d corps did not reach Jacob's ford until noon. The crossing was then made at all three fords, but the delay of French had so retarded the movement of the whole army that it was nightfall before it was all on the south side of the stream, and it was impossible for Meade to reach Robertson's tavern that day as he had planned. French's artillery could not be crossed at Jacob's ford because of the steep banks on the south side and it was necessary to wait while it was sent around by way of Germanna ford 2 miles below. Meantime Custer's division of cavalry proceeded from Stevensburg, took position at Raccoon and Morton's fords and made a demonstration as if to cross. This movement caused the enemy to move a heavy force of infantry into the intrenchments and to open an artillery fire of 30 pieces on Custer, who replied with his pieces and until dark the fight was kept up. The army bivouacked a few miles south of the Rapidan and moved at daylight for Locust Grove or Robertson's tavern, the 2nd corps arriving about 10 a. m. Warren's advance had quite a skirmish with the enemy, whose pickets were driven in and a number of prisoners from Ewell's corps were captured. Meade ordered Warren to hold his position until the arrival of French's corps, which was momentarily expected. About 11 a. m. Meade received a despatch from French stating that his column was on the plank road awaiting Warren's and a courier was immediately returned to inform him that Warren was at Robertson's tavern awaiting his arrival. At 1 p. m. another message was received from French to the effect that the Confederates were throwing out a force on the right flank of his column on the Raccoon Ford road. Warren again ordered him to hurry forward. Prince's division on advancing came to a fork in the road and not knowing which to take, waited for 2 hours for an order from French. When it came it was for the division to take the right hand road and after a time another order was given for it to return and take the other fork. As a consequence the enemy attacked again near Payne's farm, and a severe fight ensued. Prince's line fell back and Carr. on the left of Prince, had one of his brigades driven back some distance, when the enemy was checked by a reinforcement from Birney's division. These operations kept Sedgwick from joining Warren, who was therefore on the defensive all day. Gregg's cavalry division moving past the 5th corps advanced as far as New Hope Church where it was briskly engaged for a time, but succeeded in driving the Confederate cavalry until it was reinforced by infantry, when Gregg in turn was compelled to retire until relieved by Sykes' division, which repulsed the enemy. Sykes had been informed of French's failure to reach Robertson's tavern and had been ordered not to advance beyond the church, so did not follow up his success. Newton late in the afternoon was moved from the plank road to Robertson's tavern to support Warren and during the night the 5th and 6th corps also arrived there. Next morning Meade made his dispositions to attack, but on driving in the Confederate pickets it was found that the enemy had abandoned his position. Pursuit was immediately ordered and the enemy was discovered in a strongly intrenched position on the west bank of Mine run. Convinced that there was little possibility of success no attempt was made to assault, but Warren's corps and one division of the 6th was sent to demonstrate on the Confederate right. It took some time to prepare for the movement so that the start was not made until the next morning at daylight. Arriving at the position desired the force was deployed and Gregg and Warren together reconnoitered the Confederate position. About 1 p. m. an advance was ordered and the enemy was driven 3 miles to his intrenchments at the head of Mine run. It was dark before the Federals were ready to assault, so the movement was postponed until next morning, the 30th. During the day of the 29th Gregg's cavalry had a rather heavy fight at Parker's store in repulsing a force of Confederates attempting to get at a wagon train in Gregg's rear. On the night of the 29th it was agreed at a conference of the corps commanders that a simultaneous assault should be made along the whole Confederate line next morning. All the preparations were made, the Union skirmishers having even advanced across Mine run and driven in those of the enemy, when word was received from Warren that after reconnoitering the enemy's position in daylight he had concluded that it would be folly to attack. Meade hastened to confer with him, but Warren's idea of the matter was unchanged even after he and the commanding general had gone over the situation together. Admitting the failure of the expedition Meade determined to withdraw and the army started on its return on December 1 and the next day reached the points from which it had started a week before. The casualties in the Army of the Potomac for the whole campaign were 173 killed. 1,099 wounded and 381 captured or missing The Confederate losses were not reported for the campaign as a whole, but Ewell's corps (the 2nd) in the Payne's farm and Mine run affairs on the 27th and 28th suffered to the extent of 83 killed and 518 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 602-604.


MINER, Myrtilla, 1815-1864, New York, educator, philanthropist, abolitionist.  Opened Normal School for Colored Girls in Washington, DC, in 1851.  Minor was opposed to slavery.  (Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 336; Encyclopedia Britannica; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 7, Pt. 1, p. 23)

MINER, Myrtilla, philanthropist, born in Brookfield, Madison County, New York., 4 March, 1815; died in Washington, D. C., 17 December, 1864. She began teaching when fifteen years of age, and was afterward employed in a school for the education of planters' daughters in Whitesville, Wilkinson County, Mississippi. She remained there two years, became familiar with the evils of slavery, and determined to devote her life to the elevation of the Negro race. She decided to found a normal school for free colored girls in Washington, although she had but $100 with which to meet expenses. On 3 December, 1851, the school was opened in a small apartment with six pupils. During the second month the number of pupils increased to forty, and in 1853 a permanent location for the school with increased accommodation was purchased for $4,300, Harriet Beecher Stowe contributing $1,000 from the proceeds of the sale of “Uncle Tom's Cabin.” Thenceforth the school was a great success. In 1860 indications of approaching Civil War led to the temporary abandonment of the school, and in 1861 Miss Miner went to California for the benefit of her health, but met with an accident there and returned to die in Washington. While she was absent in California in 1863, Congress passed an act for the incorporation of her normal school. She had suffered severe persecution in consequence of her efforts to elevate the colored people. Appletons’ Cyclopædia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 336.


MINES, John Flavel, author, born in Paris, France, 27 January, 1835, was graduated at Trinity in 1854, and at Berkeley Divinity-School in 1857. He entered the army as chaplain in May, 1861, but later retired from the ministry, was given a commission, and was mustered out in May, 1865, as a lieutenant-colonel. He has been a contributor to various New York newspapers, and has published "The Heroes of the Last Lustre." a poem (New York, 1858), and "A Tour around New York by Mr. Felix Oldboy" (1888).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 336.


MINGO SWAMP, MISSOURI, February 2-13, 1863. 12th Missouri State Militia Cavalry. An expedition having for its object the capture of a number of guerrillas encountered a band of them near the home of one Cato. The fight resulted in the killing of 9, and the wounding of 23. None of the Federals were injured. Mink Springs, Tennessee, April 13, 1864. Detachment of 1st Wisconsin Cavalry. An outpost picket of 25 men under Lieutenant Columbus Caldwell was attacked at Mink Springs, not far from Cleveland, by 1,500 Confederate cavalry and all but 6 of the outpost were captured, together with their arms, horses and equipments. Two of the captured men were wounded. The enemy lost 1 killed and 1 wounded. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 604.


MINOR, Virginia Louisa, reformer, born in Goochland County, Virginia, 27 March, 1824. She was educated in part at an academy for young ladies in Charlottesville, Virginia, married Francis Minor, a relative of the same name in 1843, and moved in 1846 to St. Louis, Missouri, where she has since resided. During the Civil War she devoted herself to aid the sick and wounded soldiers in the camps and hospitals around St. Louis. She originated the woman suffrage movement in Missouri in 1866, organized the Woman Suffrage Association in 1867, and presided over the convention of woman suffragists in St. Louis in 1869. She was the first woman in the United States to claim suffrage as a right, and not as a favor. With this end in view, in 1872 she brought the matter before the courts, taking it finally to the U. S. Supreme Court.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 337.


MINORS. The Secretary of War, on demand, is required to grant the discharge from the army of any minor enlisted without the consent of parent or guardian. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 424).


MINOT, Charles, railroad official, born in Haverhill, Massachusetts, 30 August, 1810; died in Somerville, Massachusetts, 10 December, 1866. He was graduated at Harvard in 1828, studied law, and after his admission to the bar practised in Suffolk County for many years. In 1841 he was appointed superintendent of the Boston and Maine Railroad, and after a year accepted a similar appointment with the Erie Railway Company. This office he held until 1854, when he became attached to the Michigan Southern Railroad. In 1859 he returned to the Erie as superintendent, which place he then filled until about 1864, after which his services were retained in a consulting capacity by that road. Mr. Minot was one of the best known railroad officers in the United States, and attained a high reputation as a manager. Many of the present officers of railways in the United States began their careers under his instructions. Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 337.


MINTURN, Robert Bowne, merchant, born in New York City, 10 November, 1805; died there, 9 January, 1866. He received an English education, and, though compelled by the death of his father to leave school at the age of fourteen and enter a counting-house, spent his leisure in study, so that he gained an extensive acquaintance with general literature. He was received into partnership in 1835 with Charles Green, whose clerk he had been, and in 1830 entered the firm of Fish and Grinnell, which was afterward known as Grinnell, Minturn and County He declined all public office except the post of commissioner of emigration, which he accepted from a wish to secure the rights of emigrants. He was an active manager of many charitable associations in New York City, aided in establishing the Association for Improving the Condition of the Poor, and was a founder of St. Luke's Hospital. He was the first president of the Union League Club.—His son, Robert Bowne, born in New York City, 21 February, 21, 1830, was graduated at Columbia in 1850. He is the author of "New York to Delhi" (New York, 1858).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 338.


MINTY, Robert Horatio George, soldier, born in County Mayo, Ireland, 4 December, 1831. He entered the British Army as ensign in 1849, and served in the West Indies and Honduras and on the African Coast, but retired from the service in 1853, and, coming to the United States, settled in Michigan. He became major of the 2d Michigan Cavalry and then lieutenant-colonel of the 3d at the beginning of the Civil War. He was made colonel of the 4th in 1862, and in 1863-'5 commanded a cavalry brigade that was known as the " Sabre Brigade," capturing Shelbyville, Tennessee, on 27 June, 1863. He commanded the cavalry on the left at Chickamauga, and afterward covered General Thomas's retreat to Chattanooga. He also did good service at New Madrid, Farmington, the pursuit of Bragg, Stone River, and the Atlanta Campaign, and led a division in Kilpatrick's raid around that city. At the close of the war he received the brevets of brigadier-general and major-general of volunteers, and declined a major's commission in the regular army. Five horses were killed under him during the war.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 338.


MINUTE GUNS. Guns, fired at intervals of a minute, are signals of distress. (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 424).


MISBEHAVIOR BEFORE THE ENEMY. Punishable with death or otherwise, according to the sentence of a court-martial; (ART. 52.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 424).


MISNOMER. If a prisoner plead a misnomer, the court may ask the prisoner what is his real name, and call upon him to plead to the amended charge; (HOUGH.) (Scott, Military Dictionary, Van Nostrand, 1862, p. 424).


MISSIONARY RIDGE, TENNESSEE, September 22, 1863. 39th Indiana Mounted Infantry and 44th Indiana and 13th Ohio Infantry. After the battle of Chickamauga the Federals withdrew toward Chattanooga, and on the evening of the 21st Colonel T. J. Harrison with the 39th Indiana mounted infantry was ordered to take position on Missionary ridge. On arriving there he found the 44th Indiana and the 13th Ohio already intrenched. At 10 a. m. the next day a Confederate division attacked and drove the vedettes back upon the reserve line, where the action became general. Twice the enemy was frustrated in his attempts to take the position, but about evening by outflanking the Federals the Confederates compelled them to retire to Chattanooga. The Union casualties in this affair are included in the losses of the battle of Chickamauga. The engagement is also called Chattanooga and Shallow Ford Gap. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, pp. 604-605.


MISSIONARY RIDGE, TENNESSEE, November 24, 1863. (See Chattanooga.) Mississippi City, Mississippi, March 8, 1862. Detachment of troops from Department of the Gulf. A reconnoitering party landed from the steamer Calhoun and was fired into by the enemy's artillery at Mississippi City. The party immediately returned to the vessel, whose artillery silenced the Confederate guns after a few shots. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 605.


MISSISSIPPI COUNTY, MISSOURI, February 13, 1865. Detachment of 2nd Missouri State Militia Cavalry. Captain James W. Edwards of Company B reported from New Madrid under date of February 16: "I left here Monday morning with 10 men in pursuit of a band of bushwhackers I heard of the night before going into Mississippi county. I ran onto 8 of them Monday night. Killed 2 and captured 6, with their arms, etc. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 605


MISSOURI RIVER, DAKOTA TERRITORY, July 29-30, 1863. The Sioux Expedition. Shortly after noon on the 29th the expedition reached the timber skirting the Missouri river and Colonel William Crooks was ordered to take the 6th Minnesota infantry and clear it of the Indians. This he did without loss, although fiercely fired on by the savages on the farther side of the stream. On the 30th while the same regiment was destroying some of the property left by the Indians in their flight it was fired upon by some 125 Indians concealed in the underbrush on the opposite shore of the river. No casualties were reported. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 605


MISSROON, John Stoney, naval officer, born in Charleston, South Carolina, in 1810; died in Boston, Massachusetts, 23 October, 1865. He was educated in Liverpool, England, entered the U. S. Navy as midshipman, 27 June, 1824, and became passed midshipman, 20 February, 1830, lieutenant, 31 December, 1833, commander, 14 September, 1855, and commodore, 16 July, 1862. At the time of his death he was ordnance-officer at the Boston U.S. Navy-yard, and be had received special commendation in the last report of the chief of the Bureau of Ordnance.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 340.


MITCHEL, Charles Burton, senator, born in Gallatin, Tennessee, 19 September, 1815; died in Washington, Arkansas, 20 September, 1864. He was graduated at the University of Nashville in 1833, and at Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia, in 1836. Moving to Washington, Arkansas, in 1885, he practised his profession for more than twenty years. In 1848 he was elected to the legislature, and in 1852 appointed receiver of public money in Washington, which office he held for four years. He was elected to the U. S. Senate from Arkansas for six years, beginning on 4 March, 1861, and held his seat until May, when he went south, and was expelled on 11 July, 1861. Dr. Mitchel then represented his state in the Confederate Senate from its first organization until the time of his death.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 340-341.


MITCHEL, John, Irish patriot, born in Dungiven, County Derry, Ireland, 3 November, 1815; died in Cork, 20 March, 1875. He was graduated at Trinity College, Dublin, in 1886, studied law, and practised for several years at Banbridge. In 1845 his "Life of Hugh O'Neil, Prince of Ulster," was published in Dublin, and gave him great reputation as a writer and nationalist. He became a contributor to the "Irish Nation," and after the death of Thomas Davis was its chief writer. In 1846 he opposed the peace resolutions of the O'Connells, and strongly advocated the absolute independence of Ireland. He was a Protestant, and warned the Irish Catholics from driving the Irish Protestants from the patriot cause by needless tests. Early in 1848 he withdrew from the "Nation" and founded the "United Irishman," as the organ of the advanced Young Ireland Party. His fervid appeals in this paper aroused the insurrectionary spirit of the Irish people, and, to put him down, the treason-felony bill was passed by the British parliament. On 18 May, 1848, he was arrested under the provisions of the new act, and on 26 May he was convicted and sentenced to fourteen years' banishment. He was first taken to Bermuda, where he passed a year of "suspense, agony, and meditation." Thence he was transported to Van Diemen's Landied Assisted by friends in America, he escaped in the summer of 1858, and on 12 October landed in San Francisco, receiving there an enthusiastic welcome. In a short time he went to New York, where he published his "Jail Journal, or Five Years in British Prisons" (1854). In 1855 he established “The Citizen," in which he published his celebrated letter to Henry Ward Beecher in defence of slavery. He also had a controversy with Archbishop Hughes on the subject of the independence of Roman Catholics in political matters. These discussions lost Mitchel many friends in the northern states, and he was obliged to stop "The Citizen." He then went to Knoxville, Tennessee, and in 1857 established the "Southern Citizen," which failed.  During the Civil War he edited the Richmond "Enquirer," in which he advocated the cause of the south with enthusiasm. After the war he returned to New York and began to publish the "Irish Citizen," which, like all his newspaper enterprises in this country, failed on account of his sturdy independence. In 1874 he returned to Ireland, but was not molested. The same year he was elected to parliament from Tipperary, but was declared ineligible, and not allowed to take his seat. He was again elected, but died before any action was taken in his case. Besides the books mentioned above, he published "The Last Conquest of Ireland (Perhaps)" (Dublin, 1861), " History of Ireland from the Treaty of Limerick" (New York, 1868); and "Life and 'Times of Aodh O'Neill, Prince of Ulster" (1868); and he edited the poems of Thomas Davis (New York, 1856) and James C. Mangan (1859), with biographies.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 341.


MITCHEL, Ormsby MacKnight, astronomer, born in Morganfield, Kentucky, 28 July, 1809; died in Beaufort, South Carolina, 30 October, 1862. He received his early education in Lebanon, Ohio, and when thirteen years old became a clerk in a country store. In 1825 he received an appointment to the U. S. Military Academy, where he was graduated four years later, standing fifteenth in the class that included Robert E. Lee and Joseph E. Johnston. He was made 2d lieutenant in the artillery, and assigned to duty as assistant professor of mathematics at the Military Academy until 1832, after which he was stationed at Fort Marion, St. Augustine, Florida, but resigned in September of that year. Subsequently he studied law in Cincinnati and was admitted to the bar, meanwhile also holding the appointment of chief engineer of the Little Miami Railroad. He was professor of mathematics, philosophy, and astronomy in Cincinnati College from 1836 until 1844, when he proposed the establishment of an observatory at Cincinnati, and, after raising nearly all of the funds through his own exertions, was made its director. The corner-stone of the pier which was to sustain the great refracting telescope was laid by John Quincy Adams, with an oration, on 9 November, 1843, and the apparatus for the proper equipment of the observatory was obtained by Professor Mitchel during a visit to Europe in 1842 for that purpose. This was the first of the larger observatories to be built in the United States. He invented in 1848 a chronograph for automatically measuring and recording right ascensions by an electro-magnetic mechanism, similar to that constructed by John Locke (q. v.). In 1849 he devised an apparatus for the accurate measurement of large differences of declination, which, after successful improvement, was in 1854 attached to the equatorial. During 1854-'9 he made nearly 50,000 observations of faint stars. His other work included the discovery of the duplicity of certain stars, notably Antares, observations of nebulae, solar spots, double stars, and comets, the determination of the longitude of Cincinnati with reference to Washington and St. Louis, and the invention of an apparatus for finding the personal equation. He was also adjutant-general of Ohio in 1847-'8, and chief engineer of the Ohio and Mississippi Railroad in 1848-'9 and 1852-'3. In 1859 he was called to the charge of the Dudley Observatory in Albany, where he remained until 1861, retaining during the interval his connection with the observatory in Cincinnati. At the beginning of the Civil War he was made brigadier-general of volunteers from Ohio, and at first reported to General George B. McClellan, who assigned him to the command of General William B. Franklin's brigade in the Army of the Potomac, but at the request of the citizens of Cincinnati he was transferred to that city, where his duties largely consisted in fortifying the city and in preparation of recruits for the field. He served with the Army of the Ohio during the campaigns of Tennessee and northern Alabama in the winter of 1861-'2, and occupied Bowling Green, Kentucky, and Nashville, Tennessee, in February, 1862, after which he participated in the action near Bridgeport, Alabama, taking possession of the railroad from Decatur to Stephenson, in one of the most famous raids of the early history of the Civil War, and is best known as the "locomotive chase." See "Daring and Suffering: a History of the Andrews Railroad Raid into Georgia in 1862," by William Pittenger (New York, 1887). These services gained for him the rank of major-general of volunteers on 11 April, 1862: and anxious to advance into the heart of the south, he was restrained by his superior officer until finally he asked to be relieved. Returning to Washington, he was selected by the president for the command of an expedition to the Mississippi; but the necessary order was refused by General Henry M. Halleck, and he remained inactive until September, when he was placed in command of the Department of the South, in South Carolina, at Hilton Head, where he was stricken with yellow fever and died. He was popularly known in the army as "Old Stars." Professor Michel lectured extensively during the years 1842-'8 in the principal cities of the United States. He received the degree of A. M. from Harvard in 1851, and that of LL. D. from Washington in 1853 and from Hamilton in 1856, and was also a member of various scientific societies, both in the United States and Europe. He published a popular astronomical journal, entitled "The Sidereal Messenger," in 1846-'8, and also a revised edition of Elijah H. Burritt's "Geography of the Heavens." His own works include "The Planetary and Stellar Worlds" (New York. 1848); "The Orbs of Heaven" (1851): "A Concise Elementary Treatise of the Sun, Planets, Satellites, and Comets" (I860); and "The Astronomy of the Bible" (1863). See "Ormsby MacKnight Mitchel," by his son, Frederick A. Mitchel (Boston, 1887).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 341-342.


MITCHELL, Alexander, financier, born near Ellon, Scotland, 18 October, 1817; died in New York City, 19 April, 1887. He was educated at the parish-schools of Aberdeenshire, and subsequently studied law, but after two years entered a banking-house in Peterhead. In 1839 he came to the United States and settled in Milwaukee, under an engagement to act as secretary of the Wisconsin Marine and Fire Insurance Company, which had just been organized under the presidency of George Smith, and which, though nominally an insurance company, did a large banking business. In 1853 the company was reorganized under the state law as a bank. During the financial difficulties of 1861 which were caused by the repudiation of the southern bonds, Mr. Mitchell's judicious recommendations resulted in saving many of the western banks from ruin. In 1861 he became the first commissioner of the board of the Milwaukee Debt Commission, which office he held until his death. That city's credit was restored largely through his influence, and its present high financial standing has resulted therefrom. He became largely interested in the development of the railroad systems that centre around Milwaukee, and after the consolidation of the various lines that form the Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway he was made its president. Later, by further consolidations and enlargements, this corporation became the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railway Company, and it now owns more miles of track than any other railroad Company in the world. Mr. Mitchell was elected to Congress as a Democrat, and served from 4 March, 1871, to 3 March, 1875. He was president of the Chicago and Northwestern Railway Company in 1869, of the Western Union Railroad Company, and of the Northwestern National Insurance Company, and president, director, or trustee of many local institutions. He was the richest man in the northwest, and his residence in Milwaukee was among the finest in the state.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 342.


MITCHELL, John Inscho, senator, born in Tioga, Pennsylvania, 28 July, 1838. He received a common school education, and spent the years 1857-'9 in the University of Lewisburg. Subsequently he taught, but. soon after the beginning of the Civil War, he joined the 136th Pennsylvania Regiment and became captain of his company. He then studied law, and was admitted to the bar in 1864. He was district attorney of Tioga County in 1868-71, and in 1870 edited "The Tioga County Agitator." During 1872-'6 he was a member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, and served as chairman of the Judiciary and Ways and Means Committees. He was then elected to Congress as a Republican, and served, with re-elections, from 4 March, 1877, till 4 March, 1881, when he was chosen U. S. Senator, and served until 4 March. 1887.  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 344.


MITCHELL, Silas Weir, physician, born m Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 15 February, 1829, was educated at the University of Pennsylvania, but left during his senior year on account of illness, and was graduated at Jefferson Medical College in 1850. Dr. Mitchell has attained a high reputation by his physiological researches, and early began the publication of papers on this subject. His first investigations were largely devoted to the chemical nature of the venom of serpents, and he issued through the Smithsonian Institution "Researches on the Venom of the Rattlesnake." with an investigation of the anatomy and physiology of the organs concerned (1860), and, with George R. Moorhouse, "Researches on the Anatomy and Physiology of Respiration in the Chelonia" (1863). During the Civil War he had-charge of the U. S. Army Hospital wards for diseases and injuries of the nervous system at Turner's Lane Hospital, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was associated at that time in the preparation of valuable papers on "Reflex Paralysis," "Gunshot Wounds and other Injuries of Nerves." and "On Malingering, especially in regard to Simulation of Diseases of the Nervous System." Subsequently he became president of the Philadelphia College of Physicians. His papers treat chiefly of physiology, toxicology, and nervous diseases, on which subjects he is an acknowledged authority. He received the degree of LL. D. from Harvard in 1886, and in 1865 was elected to the National Academy of Sciences. He also holds similar relations to many other societies, including the British Medical Association. He has delivered various orations and addresses before medical faculties, and the titles of his papers exceed one hundred in number. Dr. Mitchell first turned his attention to fiction during the Civil War, when he wrote "The Children's Hour," the sales of which were in aid of the U.S. Sanitary Commission Fair in Philadelphia. Subsequently he wrote short stories for the Children's Hospital, and in 1880 published his first novel. Since then he has also produced a volume of verse. His works include "The Wonderful Stories of Fuz-buz the Fly, and Mother Grabem the Snider" (Philadelphia, 1867); "Wear and Tear, or Hints for the Overworked" (1871); I "On Injuries of the Nerves and their Consequences" (1872); "Fat and Blood, and How to make Them" (1877); "Nurse and Patient, and Croup Cure" (1877); "Diseases of the Nervous System, especially of Women " (1881); " Hephzibah Guinness.' "Thee and You." and " A Draft on the Bank of Spain " (1 vol., 1880): "The Hill of Stones, and other Poems" (1882): "In War-Time" (Boston, 1884); "Roland Blake" (1886): "A Masque and other Poems" (1887); "Proud Little Boy and other Tales out of Fairyland " (Philadelphia, 1888), and "Doctor and Patient, a Series of Essays" (Boston, 1888).  Appletons’ Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp.


MITCHELL, Robert Byington, 1823-1882, lawyer, political leader, Union soldier.  Member of the Kansas Territorial Legislature, 1857-1858.  Active in Free State anti-slavery movement in Kansas in 1856.  Colonel, 2nd Kansas Volunteers.  Commander, 13th U.S. Army Division.  Fought in Battle of Perryville.   In 1865-1867 was Governor of New Mexico.  (Appletons’, 1888, Vol. IV, p. 346; Dictionary of American Biography, Charles Scribner’s Sons, New York, 1936, Vol. 7, Pt. 1, p. 60; American National Biography, Oxford University Press, New York, 2002, Vol. 15, p. 625)

MITCHELL, Robert Byington, lawyer, born in Richland County, Ohio, 4 April, 1823; died in Washington, D. C., 26 January, 1882. He was educated at Washington College, Pennsylvania, and then studied law. During the Mexican War he served in the Ohio Volunteers as 1st lieutenant, and on its conclusion he resumed the practice of his profession. In 1856 he moved to Kansas, and took an active part with the free-state men in their struggle with the pro-slavery party. He was a member of the territorial legislature in 1857-'8, and treasurer in 1858-'61. At the beginning of the Civil War he was made colonel of the 2d Kansas Volunteers, and was severely wounded at the battle of Wilson's Creek. On his recovery, he raised a regiment of cavalry, and was commissioned brigadier-general of volunteers on 8 April, 1862. He was given command of the 13th Division of General Don Carlos Buell's army, and participated in the battle of Perryville. During 1865-'7 he was governor of New Mexico, and, after completing his term of office, settled in Washington, D. C., where he remained until his death. Appleton’s Cyclopaedia of American Biography, 1888, Vol. IV, pp. 346.


MITCHELL, Warren G., New York, American Abolition Society (Radical Abolitionist, Vol. 1, No. 1, New York, August 1855)


MITCHELL'S CREEK, FLORIDA, December 17, 1864. 82nd U. S. Colored Infantry. The Union Army, 1908, Vol. 6, p. 605


MITCHELL'S CREEK, FLORIDA, March 25, 1865. (See Canoe Creek, same date.)


MITER, John, abolitionist.  Agent and Manager, 1833-1837, of the American Anti-Slavery Society (AASS).  Worked in Newark, New Jersey, area.  (Dumond, 1961, p. 185; Abolitionist, Vol. II)


MITIGATION. (See PARDON.)