Milton W. Hardy, son of Jesse and Hannah Gist Hardy, was born March 28, 1838, in Henderson County, Tennessee. He grew up in the 13th Civil District, Carroll County, Tennessee. In November 1862, Milton Hardy was mustered into Company G, 7th Tennessee Cavalry, USA, and was elected as first lieutenant. Their first battle was at Lexington, Tennessee, against forces of Nathan Bedford Forrest. Having lost the battle, the Union soldiers fled and were captured at Trenton on December 20, 1862. Hardy and the others were paroled and sent to Camp Chase, Ohio, to await an exchange. He was released on July 31, 1863, and sent to Memphis to reenlist his men. Months later, Hardy was commissioned to recruit for a new regiment which became known as Hardy's Battalion. Many of his men in the 7th Cavalry re-enlisted into this regiment. He was killed in action on 24 March 1864, at Como, west of Paris, Tennessee, while attempting the kidnap of former Tennessee Governor, Isham Harris. Before Milton's death, he was promoted to Major. Family tradition says that his father, Jesse, brought Milton's body back home in his own wagon. His remains were buried at Wilson Cemetery, by Parkers Crossroads, in Henderson County, Tennessee. Major Hardy's men placed a monument on his grave to demonstrate their great esteem for him.