Watauga County, NC. "Brothers Against Brothers"

Joined
Dec 31, 2010
Location
Kingsport, Tennessee
Six of eight children born to Alfred Squire Miller and Jane Copeland Miller of Wilkes, (later Watauga) County, North Carolina were brothers divided by the Civil War. Calvin was apparently the only brother to remain in North Carolina. The two Union Veterans and three remaining Confederate went west following the war. Two of the brothers, (one Rebel and one Yank), were musicians. Family history says all eight children were "musically talented".


alpheus jackson miller.jpg


Alpheus J. Miller: Born in Deep Gap N.C.in what was then Wilkes County, now Watauga County, NC. about 1827. He was enlisted for a period of 3 YRS by CPT CARPENTER on 8/15/1862 at MCLEANSBORO, IL. as a Musician. On 9/22/1862 he mustered at SHAWNEETOWN, IL into "E" Co. IL 87th Infantry. 35 years old, 5'9 1/2", Hair BLACK, Eyes BLACK, Complexion DARK, Married, A Farmer, his residence at Union County, KY. DISCHARGED OCT 9, 1863 FOR DISABILITY.

During September and October, 1863, the 87th was engaged in the movements along the Atchafalaya river and Bayou Teche, being in the affairs at Grand Coteau and Vermillionville, La. Alpheus may have been wounded or taken ill.

Alpheus died Burns City, Cooke County, Texas in 1901.

miller pension.jpg





calvin miller.jpg


Calvin C. Miller: Born in Wilkes County, NC about 1830. Residence Watauga County NC; a 24-year-old Farmer when he enlisted on 9/14/1861 at Watauga County, NC as a Private. On 11/20/1861 he mustered into "B" Co. NC 37th Infantry. Musician 2/15/1862. POW 5/27/1862 Hanover Court House, VA. Exchanged 8/5/1862 Aiken's Landing, VA. Returned 10/15/1862. POW 5/3/1863 Chancellorsville, VA. Exchanged 5/13/1863 City Point, VA. Returned 8/15/1863. Voluntarily surrendered 2/16/1865. Transferred 2/21/1865 Washington, DC after taking the Oath of Allegiance. Died 21 May 1893 at Deep Gap, Watauga County, North Carolina. The only one of the brothers to remain in North Carolina. In a newspaper article, one of his grandsons stated Calvin ended the war "without a scratch on him, after being captured three times".

william harrison miller.jpg


William Harrison “Buck” Miller: Born 17 May 1838. Residence Watauga County, NC. It's there he enlisted and mustered on 5/11/1861 into "D" Co. NC 1st Cavalry. Died on 2/1/1929 in Electra, Wichita County, Texas.

jesse mark miller.jpg


Jesse Mark Miller: Residence Watauga County NC; an 18-year-old Farmer. Born about 1840. Enlisted on 9/14/1861 at Watauga County, NC as a Private. On 11/20/1861 he mustered into "B" Co. NC 37th Infantry. Wounded 9/20/1862 Shepherdstown, WV. Returned 10/15/1862. Wounded 12/13/1862 Fredericksburg, VA. Returned 2/15/1863. AWOL 9/14/1864. Returned 2/28/1865. Born in Watauga County, NC. Came to Texas after the Civil War, and settled in Burns City, TX. Died there 27 Jan 1892, when a wagon overturned on him.

george washington miller.jpg


George Washington “Wash” Miller: Residence Watauga County NC; an 18-year-old Farmer. Enlisted on 9/14/1861 at Watauga County, NC as a Private. On 11/20/1861 he mustered into "B" Co. NC 37th Infantry. AWOL 9/15/1863. Returned 11/15/1863. POW 5/6/1864 Wilderness, VA. Confined 5/7/1864 Point Lookout, MD. Transferred 8/8/1864 Elmira, NY. where he took the Oath of Allegiance 6/19/1865. Born in Watauga County, NC. Died in Custer County, Oklahoma, 28 Mar 1906.

marcus miller.jpg


Marcus DeLafayette Miller: Born 12 Jun 1846 in Watauga County, NC. Enlisted and mustered on 6/1/1864 at Knoxville, TN as a Private into "I" Co. NC 3rd Mtd Infantry Union Volunteers. Discharged 12/30/1865. Died 20 Jun 1914 in Custer County, Oklahoma.
 
Last edited:
Calvin C. Miller's compiled service record suggests he was present at Gettysburg (and he is listed as a fifer).

Jesse, Calvin and George would have known the Carlton brothers who also served in Company B, 37th North Carolina:

Calvin C. Carlton, 2nd Lieutenant, resigned 1862.
Cornelius M. Carlton, Private/Musician, mortally wounded July 3 at Gettysburg, died July 6.
John R. Carlton, Drum Major (Chief Musician).
Thomas R. Carlton, Jr., 1st Sergeant.
Lindsay Harrison Carlton (relative, possibly a brother), Private, wounded at Gettysburg.

http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/genealogy/ancestorcomments.aspx?id=36224&state=North Carolina&type=4&rid=2395#a
 
Calvin C. Miller's compiled service record suggests he was present at Gettysburg (and he is listed as a fifer).

Jesse, Calvin and George would have known the Carlton brothers who also served in Company B, 37th North Carolina:

Calvin C. Carlton, 2nd Lieutenant, resigned 1862.
Cornelius M. Carlton, Private/Musician, mortally wounded July 3 at Gettysburg, died July 6.
John R. Carlton, Drum Major (Chief Musician).
Thomas R. Carlton, Jr., 1st Sergeant.
Lindsay Harrison Carlton (relative, possibly a brother), Private, wounded at Gettysburg.

http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/genealogy/ancestorcomments.aspx?id=36224&state=North Carolina&type=4&rid=2395#a

Exactly ! I'm distantly related to both sets of brothers. That's me that listed the Carlton's to the site you provided the link to "many moons ago". I'd about forgotten it ! I just recently learned of Calvin's brothers. Thanks !
 
Last edited:
The title of this caught my eye, as a branch of my tree traces back to Johnson Co., TN / Watauga Co., NC.

My great-great-great grandfather, John Bumgardner II, and his brother David lived in Johnson County prior to the war. David served in the 13th TN Cav. for the Union, while my ggg-grandfather served in Co. A, 6th NC Cav. (65th State Troops) [formerly Co. F, 7th Battalion NC Cavalry] for the Confederacy. Both survived the war.

After the war, John left Johnson Co., TN, and briefly lived across the border in Watauga Co., NC, before packing up the family and moving to southeastern Kentucky.
 
The title of this caught my eye, as a branch of my tree traces back to Johnson Co., TN / Watauga Co., NC.

My great-great-great grandfather, John Bumgardner II, and his brother David lived in Johnson County prior to the war. David served in the 13th TN Cav. for the Union, while my ggg-grandfather served in Co. A, 6th NC Cav. (65th State Troops) [formerly Co. F, 7th Battalion NC Cavalry] for the Confederacy. Both survived the war.

After the war, John left Johnson Co., TN, and briefly lived across the border in Watauga Co., NC, before packing up the family and moving to southeastern Kentucky.

I recently found a number of NC Confederates that removed to Johnson County, TN after the war. That was a bad time !
 
The title of this caught my eye, as a branch of my tree traces back to Johnson Co., TN / Watauga Co., NC.

My great-great-great grandfather, John Bumgardner II, and his brother David lived in Johnson County prior to the war. David served in the 13th TN Cav. for the Union, while my ggg-grandfather served in Co. A, 6th NC Cav. (65th State Troops) [formerly Co. F, 7th Battalion NC Cavalry] for the Confederacy. Both survived the war.

After the war, John left Johnson Co., TN, and briefly lived across the border in Watauga Co., NC, before packing up the family and moving to southeastern Kentucky.

The Union 13th TN was a rough bunch of men !

Bumgardner.jpg
 
The title of this caught my eye, as a branch of my tree traces back to Johnson Co., TN / Watauga Co., NC.

My great-great-great grandfather, John Bumgardner II, and his brother David lived in Johnson County prior to the war. David served in the 13th TN Cav. for the Union, while my ggg-grandfather served in Co. A, 6th NC Cav. (65th State Troops) [formerly Co. F, 7th Battalion NC Cavalry] for the Confederacy. Both survived the war.

After the war, John left Johnson Co., TN, and briefly lived across the border in Watauga Co., NC, before packing up the family and moving to southeastern Kentucky.

https://civilwartalk.com/threads/mr-byers-fought-like-a-hero.141977/
 
Six of eight children born to Alfred Squire Miller and Jane Copeland Miller of Wilkes, (later Watauga) County, North Carolina were brothers divided by the Civil War. Calvin was apparently the only brother to remain in North Carolina. The two Union Veterans and three remaining Confederate went west following the war. Two of the brothers, (one Rebel and one Yank), were musicians. Family history says all eight children were "musically talented".


View attachment 205204

Alpheus J. Miller: Born in Deep Gap N.C.in what was then Wilkes County, now Watauga County, NC. about 1827. He was enlisted for a period of 3 YRS by CPT CARPENTER on 8/15/1862 at MCLEANSBORO, IL. as a Musician. On 9/22/1862 he mustered at SHAWNEETOWN, IL into "E" Co. IL 87th Infantry. 35 years old, 5'9 1/2", Hair BLACK, Eyes BLACK, Complexion DARK, Married, A Farmer, his residence at Union County, KY. DISCHARGED OCT 9, 1863 FOR DISABILITY.

During September and October, 1863, the 87th was engaged in the movements along the Atchafalaya river and Bayou Teche, being in the affairs at Grand Coteau and Vermillionville, La. Alpheus may have been wounded or taken ill.

Alpheus died Burns City, Cooke County, Texas in 1901.

View attachment 205212




View attachment 205205

Calvin C. Miller: Born in Wilkes County, NC about 1830. Residence Watauga County NC; a 24-year-old Farmer when he enlisted on 9/14/1861 at Watauga County, NC as a Private. On 11/20/1861 he mustered into "B" Co. NC 37th Infantry. Musician 2/15/1862. POW 5/27/1862 Hanover Court House, VA. Exchanged 8/5/1862 Aiken's Landing, VA. Returned 10/15/1862. POW 5/3/1863 Chancellorsville, VA. Exchanged 5/13/1863 City Point, VA. Returned 8/15/1863. Voluntarily surrendered 2/16/1865. Transferred 2/21/1865 Washington, DC after taking the Oath of Allegiance. Died 21 May 1893 at Deep Gap, Watauga County, North Carolina. The only one of the brothers to remain in North Carolina. In a newspaper article, one of his grandsons stated Calvin ended the war "without a scratch on him, after being captured three times".

View attachment 205206

William Harrison “Buck” Miller: Born 17 May 1838. Residence Watauga County, NC. It's there he enlisted and mustered on 5/11/1861 into "D" Co. NC 1st Cavalry. Died on 2/1/1929 in Electra, Wichita County, Texas.

View attachment 205207

Jesse Mark Miller: Residence Watauga County NC; an 18-year-old Farmer. Born about 1840. Enlisted on 9/14/1861 at Watauga County, NC as a Private. On 11/20/1861 he mustered into "B" Co. NC 37th Infantry. Wounded 9/20/1862 Shepherdstown, WV. Returned 10/15/1862. Wounded 12/13/1862 Fredericksburg, VA. Returned 2/15/1863. AWOL 9/14/1864. Returned 2/28/1865. Born in Watauga County, NC. Came to Texas after the Civil War, and settled in Burns City, TX. Died there 27 Jan 1892, when a wagon overturned on him.

View attachment 205209

George Washington “Wash” Miller: Residence Watauga County NC; an 18-year-old Farmer. Enlisted on 9/14/1861 at Watauga County, NC as a Private. On 11/20/1861 he mustered into "B" Co. NC 37th Infantry. AWOL 9/15/1863. Returned 11/15/1863. POW 5/6/1864 Wilderness, VA. Confined 5/7/1864 Point Lookout, MD. Transferred 8/8/1864 Elmira, NY. where he took the Oath of Allegiance 6/19/1865. Born in Watauga County, NC. Died in Custer County, Oklahoma, 28 Mar 1906.

View attachment 205211

Marcus DeLafayette Miller: Born 12 Jun 1846 in Watauga County, NC. Enlisted and mustered on 6/1/1864 at Knoxville, TN as a Private into "I" Co. NC 3rd Mtd Infantry Union Volunteers. Discharged 12/30/1865. Died 20 Jun 1914 in Custer County, Oklahoma.

More Brother Against Brother

index card alfred barlow pension record.jpg

Alfred Barlow, Resident of Washington County, (east) Tennessee in 1860. A Corporal of Captain Joseph R. Bower’s Company (F) Third Regiment of Tennessee Mounted Infantry Volunteers, was enrolled on 22 Jul 1864 to serve 100 days or during the war. He was discharged on 30 Nov 1864 at Knoxville, TN. He was born in Caldwell County, NC, is 32 years of age, 5 feet, 8 inches high, dark complexion, blue eyes, dark hair, and was a farmer. Currently a resident of the town of Jonesboro, Washington County, TN. He appeared before the Justice of the Peace on 30 Nov 1865 and the oath was registered in the deed book on 30 Nov 1865...Washington County, Tennessee, Deed Book 40, page 33...relocated to Arkansas.

calvin barlow.jpg

Calvin Barlow, Residence Caldwell County NC; a 25-year-old Farmer. Enlisted on 3/15/1862 at Caldwell County, NC as a Private. On 3/15/1862 he mustered into "I" Co. NC 26th Infantry. He was discharged for disability on 7/29/1862 (Epileptic fits and rheumatism). Born in Caldwell County, NC
pickens barlow.jpg

Pickens Barlow, Residence Caldwell County NC; a 23-year-old Farmer. Enlisted on 4/30/1861 at Caldwell County, NC as a Private. On 4/30/1861 he mustered into "A" Co. NC 22nd Infantry. He was listed as Wounded 5/31/1862 Seven Pines, VA. Sergeant 6/10/1862. Wounded 12/13/1862 Fredericksburg, VA (Wounded in the neck) POW 7/1/1863 Gettysburg, PA. Wounded 7/1/1863 Gettysburg, PA. Hospitalized 7/5/1863 David's Island, NY Harbor. Paroled 7/8/1863 David's Island, NY Harbor. Transferred 7/10/1863 City Point, VA. Exchanged 9/16/1863 City Point, VA. Paroled 4/9/1865 Appomattox Court House, VA. Born in Caldwell County, NC. In later years a member of the pension board.
 
Back
Top