BENJAMIN FRANKLIN MILLER -- 2nd CAVALRYand 83rd INFANTRYSENT HOME TO DIE - On October 6, 1861, Benjamin Franklin and JosephMiller enlisted in the Harris Light Cavalry in Plattsburgh. Four dayslater, they were mustered into Company M, joining other men from NewYork City, Newburgh and Port Henry as well as the Plattsburgh area.Benjamin spent about 15 months with the regiment which spent the firsthalf of 1862 patrolling northern Virginia. In September they were at theBattles of South Mountain and Antietam and stayed in the area until theBattle of Fredericksburg in December before going into winter quarters.By February of 1863, when Benjamin was discharged, he had beentransferred to two additional companies.For town and county bounties plus a bonus for enlisting as a substitute,Benjamin enlisted in the 83rd Infantry on July 15, 1863, whenreplacement troops were needed after the Battle of Gettysburg in whichhis brother Joseph was engaged. Benjamin joined the 83rd while theywere on the southward march after the battle. He Benjamin became ill andended up in hospital at Camp Bayard in the northwest of the District ofColumbia in late October. He was discharged from hospital and sent home.He died on December 18th and was buried in the Old Roman CatholicCemetery by the Old Base.The Plattsburgh Republican of December 26, 1863, carried this deathnotice. Sadly, they reported the regiments incorrectly -- In thisvillage, December 18, 1863, Mr. Benjamin Miller, aged 52 years. Mr.Miller Served two years in the 16th NY Vols. and afterwards enlistedin the 13th NY Cavalry and while on duty in Virginia was taken sickand came home to die. Mr. M. has four brothers now in the Army. Heleaves two children, a son and a daughter.
