William L. McMillen organized and commanded the 95th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as Colonel beginning in 1862. Wounded and captured at the Battle of Richmond, Kentucky, he faced a court-martial for alleged misconduct but was acquitted. He led a brigade at the Battle of Nashville in December 1864, where he struck a disarmed, surrendering Confederate general with a sword. McMillen received a brevet as major general of volunteers before mustering out.