Born in Mercer, Pennsylvania, on February 6, 1811, Madison Miller served in Company I, 2nd Illinois Infantry during the Mexican-American War, and was badly wounded at the 1847 Battle of Buena Vista, Mexico.

When the Civil War began, Miller was commissioned the captain of Company I, 1st Missouri Infantry, and fought at the Battle of Wilson’s Creek on August 10, 1861. Commissioned colonel of the 18th Missouri Infantry on January 28, 1862, Miller was advanced to brigade command by the time of the Battle of Shiloh. He was taken prisoner there with Brigadier General Benjamin Prentiss on April 6, 1862, but was paroled on February 4, 1863, and resumed command of the regiment.

The 18th Missouri Infantry fought in numerous battles, including Shiloh, the various actions of the Atlanta campaign, Sherman’s “March to the Sea,” and Bentonville.

Miller resigned his commission on March 15, 1864. He was promoted to brigadier general in the Missouri State Militia in September 1864, and given a brevet promotion to brigadier general of U.S. volunteers in March 1865. Miller died in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 27, 1896.

Carte-de-Visite by W.R. Phipps, Lexington, Ky.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 31711