The following article appeared in the Edgefield (S.C.) Advertiser, Sept 7, 1864, p. 2, c. 2:

"A DEATH AT THE SOLDIER'S HOME
Mr. J. R. Miles, of Minden, La., a soldier belonging to the Western Army, and an inmate, for three weeks past, of the Soldier's Home a this place, departed this life on Saturday night last [2 Sept]. He had been ill since the hour of his arrival with chronic dysentery. The deceased was apparently about fifty years of age. This patriot died far away from home, wife, children, friends, but his last hours were neither lonely nor cheerless; around his dying bed there was no lack of woman's nursing, no lack of woman's tears. His body was buried wtih all honor on Sunday afternoon in the village cemetery. Having been a Mason, his funeral rites were performed by the members of that honroable and beneficient society. Mr. John Witt, with a Christian and patriotic charity which cannot be too highly commended, refused all remuneration for this lonely soldier's coffin, a gift of $150. Edgefield should weep tears of joy and gratitude that she is thus able to care for her never-to-be-too-mcuh-honored defenders."

Although Edgefield was 20 miles from the nearest railroad, her soldier's home cared for about 30 soldiers at a time. They were apparently sent to Edgefield to recuperate from hospitals in the Augusta area. Miles was apparently the only one to die while a patient.