John Miller

John Miller (November 25, 1781 – March 18, 1846) was an American publisher, War of 1812 veteran, and politician from Missouri. A Democrat, Miller was the fourth governor of Missouri (1826 to 1832) before serving three terms in the United States House of Representatives from 1837 to 1843.

Early life

John Miller was born November 25, 1781, near Martinsburg, Virginia (now West Virginia). Little is known of his youth or family history. In 1803 Miller moved to Ohio and began a career in newspapers, serving as publisher of the Western Herald. Miller would later sell his interest in the newspaper to James Wilson, grandfather of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson. Miller was also involved in early Ohio politics through his newspaper and active in the state militia. He was able to use his political influence to be appointed a brigadier general of the Ohio militia.

War of 1812

In March 1812, with the threat of war with Great Britain looming, John Miller joined the regular U.S. Army. His rank reduced to lieutenant colonel, Miller was at first assigned to the 17th Infantry Regiment. Then in July 1812 he was promoted to full colonel and transferred to command the 19th Infantry.

As commander of the 19th Colonel Miller distinguished himself in one of the bigger battles on the western frontier during the war, the siege of Fort Meigs. With the British and their Native American allies laying siege to the fort, General (and future U.S. president) William Henry Harrison ordered units from the fort to attack the British gun positions on the south bank of the Miami River. On May 13, 1813, Colonel Miller led 350 regulars and volunteers in capturing the gun battery and took 41 prisoners. However, British troops and Native American warriors under Captain Richard Bullock, counterattacked and drove Miller's detachment back into the fort with heavy casualties. Miller's actions did however distract the besiegers long enough to let American relief forces reach the fort to reinforce the garrison.