|
The Palmer House
In the accounts of the first phase of the Battle of
Richmond several houses are mentioned, either in terms of landmarks
or as field hospitals. The Thomas Palmer house is an example
of both. This house was within sight of the 69th Indiana's line,
which anchored the Union right west of Mt. Zion Church. It was
also very near this structure that Churchill's Confederate division
emerged after marching north through the draw created by Mound
Creek. During the battle, the Palmer house suffered severe damage
from the two-hour artillery bombardment.
Some of the Union soldiers of the 69th Indiana and
the 95th Ohio who were wounded during the battle were taken to
the Palmer House for treatment of their wounds. Among the Union
soldiers treated at the Palmer House was General John Miller,
a civilian volunteer. Miller, a member of one of Richmond's founding
families, joined Gen. Charles Cruff''s staff as an aide.
Miller was mortally wounded trying to rally Union soldiers who
were fleeing the battlefield. He died of his wounds six days
after the battle. Miller is buried in the Richmond Cemetery.
A traditional story reports that Confederate soldiers
ransacked the house after they found Union soldiers drinking
some form of distilled spirits stored in the house or outbuildings.
|
