Civil War CDV's Colonel Miles Dixon KIA Harper's Ferry 1862

  

Dixon Stansbury Miles (May 4, 1804 September 16, 1862) was a career United States Army officer who served in the MexicanAmerican War and the Indian Wars. He was mortally wounded as he surrendered his Union garrison in the Battle of Harpers Ferry during the American Civil War. Early life and military service.

Miles was born in Maryland. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1824 and was commissioned a brevet second lieutenant in the 4th U. Infantry regiment, but was transferred immediately to the 7th U. Infantry, with which he served until 1847.

He served on the western frontier and became adjutant of the 7th U. He was promoted to captain on June 8, 1836, and fought in the Seminole Wars in Florida from 1839 to 1842. At the start of the MexicanAmerican War, he received a brevet promotion to major for his "gallant and distinguished conduct" in the defense of Fort Brown, Texas. He fought in the Battle of Monterrey and the Siege of Veracruz, which he then governed as military commandant for four months. He was appointed a brevet lieutenant colonel for gallant and meritorious conduct in the several conflicts at Monterrey, Mexico.

Miles spent the years before the Civil War on frontier duty battling Indians. In 1857 he fought against Indians along the Gila River, New Mexico, and against the Navajo in 1858. In 1859 he was promoted to colonel and commander of the 2nd U.

Infantry, stationed at Fort Kearny and Fort Leavenworth. When the Civil War started, Miles was recalled to Washington, D. And briefly commanded a brigade in the division of Maj. Robert Patterson before being transferred to the army of Brig.

Irvin McDowell, in which he commanded a division of two brigades. During the First Battle of Bull Run, his division was in reserve, but he was accused by Brig. Richardson of being drunk during the battle. A court of inquiry validated this accusation; and, after an eight-month leave of absence, he was reassigned to what should have been a quieter post.

In March 1862 he commanded a brigade that defended the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and, in September 1862 he was given command of the U. During the Maryland Campaign, in which Confederate general Robert E. Miles's garrison at Harpers Ferry stood directly on Lee's supply line through the Shenandoah Valley. He was ordered by General-in-chief Henry W. Halleck to hold the important U.

Arsenal and railroad bridges until he was relieved by Union forces under Maj. Lee sent columns converging from three directions to surround Harpers Ferry. Unfortunately for him and his army, Miles apparently treated his orders to defend the town too literally and stationed most of his 14,000 men just outside the town to the west, on Bolivar Heights, neglecting the commanding heights to the northeast (Maryland Heights) and to the south (Loudoun Heights). When his token defensive force on Maryland Heights was defeated, the town was surrounded and virtually indefensible. Stonewall Jackson began to bombard the town on September 15, 1862, from the heights he had seized, Miles held a council of war with his brigade commanders and decided to surrender.

Before the white flag could be raised, he was struck in the left leg by an exploding shell, mortally wounding him. Some of his men accused him of being drunk on duty again and were so thoroughly disgusted by his inept defense that it was said to be difficult to find a man to carry him to the hospital.

Miles died the next day and is buried in St. James Episcopal Church Cemetery in Monkton, Maryland. Some historians have concluded that Miles was struck by artillery deliberately fired by his own men, but there is no conclusive proof.

[1] The resulting surrender of 12,419 men was the largest number of U. Soldiers surrendered until the Battle of Bataan in World War II. The court of inquiry into the surrender denounced Miles for incapacity, amounting to almost imbecility. Dixon Stansbury Miles graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1824. He fought during the Seminole Wars in Florida with the 4th US Infantry, until the outbreak of the Mexican-American War.

During the war, Miles fought during the battle of Monterrey, which earned him a brevet promotion to lieutenant colonel, and at the siege of Veracruz. After the war, he continued to serve in the west and fought against Indians in New Mexico.

After the battle, Union General Israel B. Richardson accused Miles of being intoxicated during the battle, and a military board of inquiry found the accusation to be true. After an eight month leave of absence, Miles was reassigned to command the Federal arsenal at Harpers Ferry. Lee began his Maryland Campaign in 1862, General Thomas Stonewall Jackson was sent to capture Harpers Ferry.

Miles received orders from General Henry W. Halleck to defend the town until he could be relieved by forces from General George B. Miles decisions in setting up the defense of the town led to the town and the Union forces within being trapped by the forces of General Jackson. On September 15, 1862, Confederate forces began to bombard the town. After discussing the matter with several other commanders in the town, Miles decided that he had to surrender Harpers Ferry.

Before he could officially surrender; however, he was struck in the leg by shrapnel from an exploding shell, and died the next day from his wound. After his death and the surrender of Harpers Ferry, Miles was denounced for his actions during the campaign. The item "Civil War CDV's Colonel Miles Dixon KIA Harper's Ferry 1862" is in sale since Saturday, May 9, 2020.

This item is in the category "Collectibles\Militaria\Civil War (1861-65)\Original Period Items\Photographs". The seller is "civil_war_photos" and is located in Midland, Michigan.

This item can be shipped worldwide.

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• Country/Region of Manufacture: United States