Miles Gibson Parker (1837 - 1911)

Born 11 Dec 1837 in Hinds County. Mississippi, United States

Ancestors

Husband of Sarah Ellen (Williamson) Parker — married 19 Nov 1867 in Rapides Parish Louisiana

Descendants

Died 3 Dec 1911 at age 73 in Vernon Parish, Louisiana, United States

Profile manager: Chere Lee [send private message]

Biography

Sgt. Miles Parker served in the United States Civil War.
Enlisted: August 2, 1861
Mustered out: April 9, 1865
Side: CSA
Regiment(s): 1st Regiment, Nichols Brigade

Miles was a slight man, just 5' 3" tall with dark hair, dark eyes, and a dark complexion (as described in his Civil War Military Records).

When the conflict between the States tore the country apart, Miles was farming near Cotile in Rapides Parish (census records). He travelled to New Orleans and enlisted on 2 Aug 1861 for the duration of the war and served in Company B, 1st Nelligan's Louisiana Infantry, nicknamed the "Red River Rebels."

Miles was later promoted to 5th Sergeant on 28 April 1862, and his military records listed the battles which Miles participated in. These were some of the bloodiest battles of that war and occurred in and around Virginia and West Virginia.

As listed on the records, they were:

• Battle of Manassas (second) - 30-31 Aug 1862
• Chantilly - 2 Sep 1862
• Harper's Ferry - 15 Sep 1862
• Sharpsburg - 17 Sep 1862
• Chancellorsville - 2-3 May 1863
• Paynes Farm - 27 Nov 1863
• Wilderness - 5 May 1864
• Spottsylvania - 12 May 1864
• Yellow Tavern - 19 May 1864
• Cold Harbor - 2 Jun 1864
• Harper's Ferry (second battle) - 6 Jul 1864
• Monacacy - 9 Jul 1864
• Snickers Gap - 20 Jul 1864
• Kernstown - 25 Aug 1864
• Shepherdstown - 1 Sep 1864
• Smithfield - 10 Sep 1864
• Winchester - 18 Sep 1864
• Fisher's Hill - 22 Sep 1864
• Cedar Creek - 19 Oct 1864
• Hatchers Run - 5-6-7 Feb 1865.

As any student of Civil War history knows, these battles claimed thousands of dead and even more wounded. Just to have survived so many major battles, Miles Parker was truly a very lucky man.

He was turned over at the conclusion of the war as a member of the Army of Northern Virginia, commanded by General Robert E. Lee, at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on 9 Apr 1865, and was paroled by Lt. Gen. U.S. Grant, Commander of the Army of the United States.

In 1874, Miles Parker was elected the first sheriff of newly-formed Vernon Parish and his term lasted until 1878. As the parish did not have a jail during that early period, often times Miles would have to bring his prisoners to his own home. To young Ellen, this was a terrifying experience. Once Miles captured a prisoner, brought him home, and proceeded to tie the man to the foot of the bedstead. Ellen could not imagine going to bed with a "prisoner" at the foot of the bed. She referred to the prisoner as her "Little Red Man" as he wore a bright red shirt. When morning came, the "Little Red Man" was gone. He either escaped or was turned loose by Ellen or Miles.

Burial

Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Simpson, Vernon Parish, Louisiana, USA ^[1]

Sources

1. ↑ Find A Grave, database and images (https://www.findagrave.com : accessed 04 January 2019), memorial page for Miles G. Parker (11 Dec 1837–3 Dec 1911), Find A Grave Memorial no. 29083404, citing Mount Pleasant Cemetery, Simpson, Vernon Parish, Louisiana, USA ; Maintained by Donna Barnes (contributor 47112976) .

• "United States Census, 1850," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MCJQ-CMD : accessed 7 September 2015), Miles G Parker in household of Isaah Parker, Bienville parish, Bienville, Louisiana, United States; citing family 462, NARA microfilm publication M432 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.).

• "United States Census, 1860," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MFP7-Z7P : accessed 7 September 2015), Miles G Parker in household of Isaiah Parker, , Rapides, Louisiana, United States; from "1860 U.S. Federal Census - Population," database, Fold3.com (http://www.fold3.com : n.d.); citing p. 148, household ID 1063, NARA microfilm publication M653 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 803,423.

• "Louisiana Marriages, 1816-1906," database, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:F4ZM-622 : accessed 7 September 2015), Miles G. Parker and Sarah Ellen Williamson, 20 Nov 1867; citing reference ; FHL microfilm 1,316,057.

• "United States Census, 1870," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:M87N-MT4 : accessed 8 September 2015), M G Parker, Louisiana, United States; citing p. 1, family 4, NARA microfilm publication M593 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 552,027.

• "United States Census, 1880," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MDX2-N9T : accessed 7 September 2015), M G Parker, , Vernon, Louisiana, United States; citing enumeration district 47, sheet 103B, NARA microfilm publication T9 (Washington D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.), roll 0473; FHL microfilm 1,254,473.

• "United States Census, 1900," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MSPF-PDN : accessed 7 September 2015), Miles G Parker, Ward 6, Township 1, Vernon, Louisiana, United States; citing sheet 8A, family 117, NARA microfilm publication T623 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,240,585.

• "United States Census, 1910," database with images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/ark:/61903/1:1:MPBF-WC3 : accessed 7 September 2015), Miles Parker, Police Jury Ward 6, Vernon, Louisiana, United States; citing enumeration district (ED) 151, sheet 11B, family 195, NARA microfilm publication T624 (Washington, D.C.: National Archives and Records Administration, n.d.); FHL microfilm 1,374,546.

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