Milton J. Turner was born on October 7, 1838, in Bedford County, Virginia, to John and Lucy Turner. His father was a farmer who owned $14,400 of real estate and $20,800 of personal property by 1860. Turner grew up in Bedford County, Virginia.

 

He enlisted in the Confederate army on July 24, 1861, and he mustered in as a private in Company I of the 58^th Virginia Infantry later that day. The regiment took part in the Seven Days’ Battles and the Second Battle of Bull Run. He was promoted to sergeant on September 9, 1861. He was wounded in the lung in the Second Battle of Bull Run on August 30, 1862, and he spent the next several months recovering. He apparently rejoined the regiment in April 1863, but he mustered out on August 13, 1863.

 

Turner returned to Bedford County after leaving the army, and he married Sallie Snow on November 15, 1865. They had at least six children: George, born around 1867; Celestia, born around 1869; Kate, born around 1870; Milton, born around 1873; Lily, born around 1877; and William, born around 1879.  They lived in Staunton, Virginia, and Turner worked as a farmer. He died in Staunton on February 11, 1891.

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