Photo info
Picture source: Chipley Bugle as posted by Ted Campbell. "This picture was taken in 1908 in front of the old bank on the corner of 5th Street here in Chipley. The group had been to a Confederate Reunion by train. Two of these fellows were my great-great grandpas & not at the time related. Pictured from left: William T. (Bill) Jeffers, Edmond N. Everett (g-pa), Sledge Robertson, unknown, Dan C. Buie, Elijah Neel Dekle (g-pa), Dr. Francis Watson, unknown, Capt. Angus McMillan (commander of the "Washington County Invincibles"). These reunions took place for years all around the country attended by many veterans from north & south. -- Ted Campbell" 
"For over 35 years I have been 'Finding Angus'. If anyone has addiitional information, please contact me." Michelle McMillan Kirby |
Confederate ServiceAngus was 32 and single at the time he enlisted. He was selected Captain due to his experience as an overseer of the Everett Plantation. Company K, 6th Florida trained at the Apalachicola Arsenal located in Chattahoochee, Florida. Angus saw action in numerous battles include Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Resaca, Kennesaw Mountain, Atlanta Campaign, Murphreesboro, Franklin, and Nashville. Family oral history includes a story Angus told about running out of ammunition on Lookout Mountain. When his men were retreating, he challenged them to stand their ground, picked up a rock, and continued the fight. Angus served in battle along with well known leaders such as Patrick Clebourne, Nathan Bedford Forrest, Stephen D. Lee, and, of course, J. J. Finley whom he named one of his sons after. His foes includes William Sherman, Ulysses Grant, and Joseph Hooker. In Nashville, while on Shy's Hill, the line broke at Finley's Brigade on December 16, 1864. Angus and all other officers were who were captured were processed to the Nashville Depot where they were not fed for 2-3 days and then processed out to Johnsons Island in Sandusky, Ohio until the end of the War. The winter of 1864/65 was especially cold. Reports indicate resources were very low with a high mortality rate. Prisoners were not given much. Men were lucky to have a good coat or blanket. Sleeping was usually in a shelter with little side walls where up to 60 prisoners would share one stove. Angus survived this horrible experience and was released at the end of the War with only one prisoner/traveling companion. The Union forbid more than 2-3 to travel together for fear men would rally. Angus and his companion walked most of the way home to Chipley, Florida which would be, in today's standards, at least 900 miles.
For more about the battles in which Angus was engaged: Chickamauga Chattanooga Resaca Kennesaw Mountain Franklin Nashville Learn more about Johnsons Island Prisoner of War Camp 
Other interesting facts related to Angus McMillan
Ghost of the Limesink Find a Grave Memorial Angus as Postmaster of Chipley |
Co Founder of Chipley
Home of Angus McMillan on 1st Street in Chipley, Florida. approximately late 1800s. The home still stands today.
Angus is buried in Glenwood Cemetery in Chipley with both wives buried on either side - Jahaza Jane Horne on the left and Emeline Ham Kirkland on the right. Jahaza is one of the first buried in the cemetery.
This is the trench line on Shy's Hill where the line reported broke upon Finley's Brigade on December 16, 1864 at the Battle of Nashville. There is a huge shelf behind this spot where you cannot see below for a long way. The Confederates were brought up to this hill during the night and could not realize their doom by selecting this otherwise beautiful vantage point overlooking Nashville.
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