'Death of Lieut-Col. Miller of the Guards', 1815

Lithograph by J Atkinson, published by R Ackermann's Lithography, 1 June 1817. Number 6 of a series of sixteen lithographs, 'incidents of British bravery during the late campaigns on the continent. Graphically illustrated in a series of drawings on stone'.

The caption reads, 'He was mortally wounded at the Battle of Waterloo feeling he had not long to live he sent for Col Thomas and begged he might once more behold the colours of the regiment, they were brought, his countenance brightened, he expressed himself well satisfied and soon after closed with his life his career of glory'.

William Miller (1784-1815) was appointed Lieutenant-Colonel of the 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment of Foot Guards, on 3 March 1814. Miller, a veteran of the Peninsular War, was actually wounded at the Battle of Quatre Bras on 16 June 1815. He immediately sent for his friend, Colonel C Thomas (himself killed two days later at Waterloo), and stated 'I feel I am mortally wounded, but I am pleased to think it is my fate rather than yours, whose life is involved in that of your young wife.' After a pause, he went on: 'I should like to see the colours of the Regiment before I quit them for ever'. Miller died of his wounds in Brussels the following day.