Jacob Miller.

This is Jacob Miller, a veteran of the Civil War.

On September 19, 1863, during the battle of Chickamauga, he was shot in the middle of the forehead. You may have noticed.

He was left for dead on the battlefield. I mean, he took a musket ball between the eyes. It’s understandable why his unit figured he was dead.

Nobody is sure how long he was out, but eventually Jacob woke up. He’d later remember that his left eye was out of place and he had to move some bones around in his head to get the eye back in. He then bandaged his own head and started walking.

His “good” eye was swollen shut, but he held it open with his fingers and started a 15 mile hike to Chattanooga to avoid capture, and to find a field hospital. Doctors were afraid to remove the bullet fearing he would die. Eventually he found a doctor that took out part of the bullet. 17 years later a piece fell out. 31 years later, two more pieces came out.

Jacob Miller died Jan. 13, 1917, at the age of 88.

I heard this story and saw this picture years ago, and on those cold, dark mornings when I was tired and had a headache and I was feeling sorry for myself I thought of Jacob Miller and I went to work.

Some days I’d down two Excedrin Migraine with a swig of black coffee and I’d feel like a tough guy until I remembered Jacob Miller.

It’s Monday morning. You can do this.

Remember Jacob Miller.