Obituary of Captain James Lee McMillian, 1901 - Carroll Co. VA Captain James Lee McMillian died on July 17, 1901. He was born in Patrick County Virginia in June 1827, and has lived in Carroll County since 1842. He was the son Dudley McMillian and Elizabeth Hicks, and the grandson of Abraham and Elizabeth McMillian and of Samuel Hicks. Growing up as the youngest in the family, James Lee had observed his father assist in founding Mt. Bethel Moravian Church, and was happy with the job of Constable in the county. But when he was in his early thirties, his life was to change forever as the Civil War broke out. The Community had singled James Lee McMillian out as a leader, and along with his friend Alexander Haynes, he volunteered for Company E of the 29th Virginia Infantry. Alexander Haynes rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel by the time of his death at Drewery's Bluff. James Lee McMillian enlisted August 6, 1861 as 2nd Lt. By May 13, 1862 he was 1st Lt., and was promoted to Captain November 11, 1862. He saw much serious fighting along the James River in Virginia. Many of his friends, and even some family members, died by his side on the battlefield. He himself was wounded above the left knee on May 16, 1864, at Drewery's Bluff. He was to tell his grandsons many stories about the battles. One story was about the heavy dome of fog over Drewery's Bluff, and how it was almost impossible for the troops to see their own weapons. Yet, as he said, the skirmishing continued along the James River. And so many were left to bleed into earth. He drew a pension for his service in the war. His children and grand children will remember him fondly as a man who deeded them all some land, and always surprised them at Christmas-time with a shower of gifts. Captain Jim had become a legend in his own time, a man of great character, courage, and leadership. On September 6, 1854, he married Sarah Jane McMillian in Surry County, North Carolina. She survives, along with three sons: Alexander McMillian (and wife Elizabeth Tahulda Hiatt), Richard Lee McMillian (and wife Louemma Catherine Edwards), and Lafayette F. McMillian (and wife Martha (Mattie) Law McMillian); one daughter, Martha Clementine McMillian Wisler (and husband Walter Ambrose Wisler). He was preceded in death by brothers Samuel McMillian, Henry McMillian, Greenville Penn McMillian; and sisters: Elizabeth Mcmillian Culland and Nancy McMillian Hiatt. Captain James Lee McMillian will be buried in the McMillian Family Cemetery at Cana in Carroll County, Virginia. Submitted by William Harrold **************************************************************** USGENWEB NOTICE: These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or presentation by any other organization or persons. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material, must obtain the written consent of the contributor, or the legal representative of the submitter, and contact the listed USGenWeb archivist with proof of this consent. Files may be printed or copied for personal use only. ****************************************************************