William Porcher Miles (1822–99) was an American politician, educator, and Confederate congressman, known for advocating states’ rights and designing the Confederate battle flag.
Born in Walterboro, South Carolina, he graduated from the College of Charleston (1842) and later became a mathematics professor before entering politics. Elected Mayor of Charleston (1855,) he modernized the police department and improved infrastructure.
Miles served as a U.S. Representative from South Carolina (1857–60,) supporting secession and slavery. After South Carolina seceded, he joined the Confederate Congress, chairing its Military Affairs Committee. He designed the Confederate battle flag, initially rejected as the national flag but later adopted by the Army of Northern Virginia.
After the Civil War, Miles retired from politics, managing Oak Ridge Plantation in Virginia and Houmas Plantation in Louisiana. He briefly served as President of South Carolina College (1880–82) before returning to plantation management.
Ruth McCaskill Daniel’s William Porcher Miles: Champion of Southern Interests (1943) explores his political career, while Eric H. Walther’s The Fire-Eaters (1992) examines Miles alongside other pro-secession figures.
More: Wikipedia • READ: Works by William Porcher Miles
Vote early and vote often.
—William Porcher Miles
Topics: Voting, Elections
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