(March, 1863, to September 19, 1864)
Mr. Miller was in college when Fort Sumter fell and the country was plunged into the throes of civil war. He had just reached his majority, and like hosts of other young men, felt the patriotic impulse to offer his life at once for his country’s defense. Some months passed, however, before his enlistment, and then circumstances prevented his serving in the ranks, as it was his earnest purpose to do. He enlisted as a member of a company recruited in and about Calcutta, Ohio. The company left for Camp Dennison, near Cincinnati, Ohio, where they were encamped for a time. Their enlistment was on the condition that they were to be place in a regiment as a company. At that time, however, there was no place where they could be so attached, and the only way the officials in the department could accept them was as individuals, to fill vacancies in other companies. This was not in accord with the wish of the young men, and they returned to their homes. In the meantime Mr. Miller continued his studies until he saw the opportunity for effective service through the new Christian Commission, which was organized soon after the disastrous Battle of Bull Run.
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