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Graffiti Soldier

Walter Mills: Before the Civil War

1860_Mitchell's_Street_Map_of_Philadelphia_-_Geographicus_-_Phili-m-60.jpg

1860 Mitchell's Street Map of Philadelphia

Walter P.C. Mills was born in 1841 to Joseph Mills, a silver plater from Pennsylvania, and Margaret Hoffman Mills, from Germany.  He was born and raised in the Northern Liberties section of Philadelphia.  Many soldiers fighting for the Union were skilled laborers, and Mills was no different; he was a painter.  During the early stages of Civil War recruitment, many young men were enticed by adventure and having the opportunity to serve their country in what they thought would be a short war.  He enlisted as a Union soldier on September 12, 1861.