The U.S. General Who Predicted Ultimate Victory Because of One Unique Document

Historians remember Robert Huston Milroy for the loss of Winchester, Va., early in the Gettysburg Campaign-though he was exonerated of wrongdoing. Here's another view of him: On the cold, snowy morning of Jan. 1, 1863, along a slope of the Allegheny Mountains, Milroy reminded his troops of a momentous event unfolding that day-the Emancipation Proclamation.
"Life on the Civil War Research Trail" is hosted by Ronald S. Coddington, Editor and Publisher of Military Images magazine. Learn more about our mission to showcase, interpret and preserve Civil War portrait photography at militaryimagesmagazine.com and shopmilitaryimages.com.
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Image: Library of Congress
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[@davem5308]

Now, that was an inspiring declaration by General Milroy. For some reason I wandered in my imagination, seeing Lincoln and Milroy riding astride on horseback, down any ole street, dismounting perhaps in unison in front of a crowd of folks, to enter any ole significant building for any ole imagined purpose, but my mind imagines, these 2 very tall men, both with striking features, bringing an enjoining awestruck, expression by folks witnessing these possibly like minded men, walking toward them, like giants! The General may not have had any significant strategic success, and the loss of such significant numbers of recruits is hard to bear, yet his enthusiasm for the cause of actual freedom, and for the repentance required by the growing nation, was a crystal clear objective, and emancipation so very joyous to his soul. That's how this story strikes me. Thanks Ron. General Milroys' message speaks volumes.

[@unbreakable7633]

You should read the excellent history of the war titled EMANCIPATING SLAVES, ENSLAVING FREE MEN. The war shredded the Constitution.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

I believe we both decended from the Wigtown Martyr John Milroy. We are definitely an opinionated bunch.

[@RMAli23]

Great story. He might not have been a great general, but he was a good man. An officer and a gentleman. God bless him!

[@cheesecrackers3928]

Maybe not the best general but that is a helluva photo!

[@joed7932]

THANK YOU FOR THE GREAT STUFF YOU BEEN PUTTING OUT

[@williambuttermark5250]

Never knew he was an abolitionist. As a Reenactor in 87 th PA, a regiment that was at 2 nd Winchester I’ve done a lot of research on the battle. Numerous sources state that he was ordered to abandon Winchester and fall back to Martinsburg or Harpers Ferry out of concern for lack of information on the ANV. Mistakenly he was confident that he could handle anything the Confederates sent his way. Failure of intelligence on Hooker’s part left him in the dark. He was exonerated of any work doing but never commanded troops in the field again. His command and was folded into French’s division at Harper’s Ferry and served with III and later VI Corps in the Army of the Potomac and Army of the Shenandoah

[@jeffmilroy9345]

His men that remained (Milroy's weary boys) went on to perform some interesting feats and extract a memorable quote or two. Grant in the Wilderness for example regarding "Lee performing a double somersault and landing on both flanks and their rear" or some such.. He actually did defend some bridge crossings and in so doing pulled off a defeat of a dude named Forrest late in the war.

[@grantlawrence611]

Grant himself said that looking back on the war, he thought that the North had no good luck till the Emancipation Proclamation. It was after that, he thought, when the government was completely committed to freeing the slaves that the North had received Divine favor and intervention.

[@unbreakable7633]

Grant was wrong a lot. The South fought for the original Constitution and when it lost, a strong centralized government untethered to the Constitution emerged and that's why the country is the way it is now.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

@@unbreakable7633 I agree with your sentiment. But that proclamation did send shockwaves. And Lincoln did ultimately pay with his life. The stakes were huge.

[@unbreakable7633]

@@jeffmilroy9345 Lincoln was a lowlife politician and tyrant and acted beyond his legitimate constitutional authority. Also, he only freed the slaves in the South and not in the 4 nonseceding border States, which would have seceded if he'd actually freed the slaves there. The North should have let the South go its own way, as was its right under the Declaration of Independence. I have no love lost on Lincoln at all and he got exactly what he earned.

[@unbreakable7633]

@@jeffmilroy9345 My reply about the lowlife politician Lincoln was, was censored by CensorTube. The North should have let the South go.

[@unbreakable7633]

@@jeffmilroy9345 CensorTube wont' allow me to post the truth about that tyrant Lincoln.

[@peterblum613]

Wonderful story, Ron. I have noticed how Union generals who were solid on the race question have often developed an unfair reputation for incompetence. This seems to be yet another example of the work over the decades of the Lost Cause mythologists.

[@SparkyWaxAll]

Good point

[@lifeonthecivilwarresearchtrail]

Intriguing thought, Peter. Worthy of further research.

[@1ask2risk]

I remember these guys, the Old Dixiecrats. Scary Dudes. KKK rallies and they even went out to public High schools to recruit the young white kids. You may have a very valid point as some revision has taken place. As Ron uses a lot of Original source material I gotta say I have been surprised a time or two. I have previously heard about stories Ron has covered, and they are usually close. Always a perspective slant to work someone produces, but you get the honest opinion of the writer when the original is read. Thanks.

[@oldgeezerproductions]

@@1ask2risk I too remember the Dixiecrats and how they were STILL in the political party of their ancestors. Their political heirs stopped being affiliated with THAT party in my youth, but were welcomed into another during Nixon's and Regan's Presidencies.

[@markallred1953]

Thank you for this look into this lover of liberty. If you have any access and control over the transcript (which is seemingly generated by AI) it is badly in need of a good editor correcting spelling and punctuation. On first review, I found myself wondering whether General Milroy might have been more fully represented by describing his training in the military academy which would have justified his holding colonel and general ranks. You give the impression herein that the Emancipation Proclamation freed all of the slaves; it did not affect slaves in loyal states and areas, but, true to its stated justification, it freed only slaves held in areas in rebellion against the Union. The 13th amendment completed the job for every slave. Perhaps Milroy, or his reporter, was guilty of carelessly interpreting the document.

[@JamesAdams-ev6fc]

This is very good research. You make the Civil War come alive in a unique way.

[@EndingSimple]

That speech actually hit me where I live. At least he got that part of generalship right.

[@Snakebite-h4s]

Very good ! The gray eagle.

[@davidtvedt7597]

There is, always two sides to every story of failure, it, would be interesting to hear his side. An armchair assessment indicates he was methodical, not without ability, but wrangling every thought of decision to the point of seeming slow or incompetent, whereas he, may, have been stressed by the battle ahead, limiting his ability to be concise toward implementing his battle plan. He may have been better suited for an administration command/position, rather, than a field command?

[@jeffmilroy9345]

He did do OK against Stonewall and Forrest. We share the same physical appearance characteristics and wrangling trait - interesting...

[@johnnyjohnny7204]

a man whose heart and understanding of the importance of emancipation (morally and strategically) were both impressive, altho his military success may not have been.

[@dougreid2351]

AMEN AND AMEN! The Lord G-d of Hosts will deliver VICTORY and set free the captives. Soli Deo gloria

[@paulenterline3107]

He attacked Stonewall at McDowell and gave him a run for his money. How many Generals could say that?

[@silverstar4289]

Hank you for sharing a profile of a Hoosier and Indiana alumni. A reflection for people to see the thoughts of some soldiers who indeed fought for Abolition

[@unbreakable7633]

Emancipating slaves but enslaving free men. The cure was as bad as the disease.

[@harryanders2877]

What beautiful words he uttered about the fight for Liberty, and the great host. He was morally successful and/or clear sighted, if not entirely so on the battlefield...

[@jeffmilroy9345]

He did ok against Stonewall and Forrest I believe. I think his views blinded him to the reality of the hell bent invasion force. At any rate driving Lincoln to despair to the point of relieving his commander 3 days before Gettysburg might be the saving grace he was looking for.

[@jimmoore9239]

Ah yes, The Grey Eagle. I have encountered this man in my Civil War reading. I think he hailed from the Delphi-Lafyette Indiana area. Purdue University is in West Lafyette. One thing I clearly recall reading about General R. Milroy was an

[@jimmoore9239]

Article in America's Civil War magazine (years ago) dealing with his treatment of Confederate citizens under his Union Army control. It must've been in rhe first half of 1863. In Winchester VA. There were a number of drawings featured in this article. Done by the oppressed Rebel citizens. Basically, he was a tinhorn tyrant that went out of his way to "mess with" the people he blamed for slavery, the War and all things evil. He was almost like a Union General version of John Brown. Another kooky Hoosier General. Right there with Solomon "Long Sol" Meredith.

[@billsmith5109]

@@jimmoore9239Rebs. When prevented from abusing newly Freedmen thought that was oppression.

[@conradnelson5283]

The emancipation proclamation did not free all the slaves. Only the ones in the rebellious southern states.. the slaves in the union states or left alone. It wasn’t until later that Congress freed them. with I think it was the 14th amendment.

[@owensomers8572]

OK Boomer!

[@revolutionaryhamburger]

The Union soldiers were not call "Emancipation Occupiers" because they were actually fighting for the Union and not the other thing.

[@petehealy9819]

​@@owensomers8572 conradnelson5283 adds a point of clarification that many of us probably already know, but so what? You get to throw a lazy, stupid insult at him bc you think you know how old he is? Don't be a dick.

[@stevenstreets695]

Yep olde Honest Abe was a typical Republican lawyer even today. He put fine print in the Emancipation proclamation... If he carried your State in the election..you could keep your slaves 😂. In finer legalese of course.

[@oldgeezerproductions]

Lincoln did not commit the United States Army and Navy to end slavery, although that's what the leaders of the Confederate States believed and indeed that was THEIR excuse for going to war, but Lincoln acted to preserve the Union, as is so plainly obvious in many of his speeches. Being the President of a divided and (by today's standards) a strongly racist country who's majority believed that those with light colored skin were somehow superior, Lincoln had to be pragmatic and not alienate those States teetering on joining the Confederacy by being over bold in this regard. Victory and the preservation of the country first, then assuage "America's Original Sin" when circumstances allows it.

[@christophercoleman6596]

Milroy was Ambrose Bierce's first regimental commader, although not necessarily his best. For the 9th Indiana's early campaigns, see Bierce's short stories & a few short memoir pieces; or read "The Period of Honorable Strife" (UT Press, Knoxville).

[@jeffmilroy9345]

The old coot. As a 6'-4" Milroy with tougher grey hair than his - I have to admit he was right. Lincoln's foolhardy run for president always caused me to side slightly with the south since I viewed the 1776 shared struggle as forging a brotherhood among the 13 colonies that owed an allegiance whereby all states looked out for another's economic welfare. Causing half the states to secede and forbidding them to do so did not sufficiently honor that sacred pact and was in fact unconstitutional in my view. On the other hand, as the Grey Eagle poignantly pointed out - the U.S. was bound by its principle instrument of formulation - the Declaration of Independence - to maintain that all men were created equal. So the argument of constitutionality of politically forced abolition may be seen as self canceling or shifting towards the justification of the Union cause. The other arguments against militant abolition remained but Lincoln was wrong to say of his friend "we have had enough of his type of genius". Milroy's loss at Winchester may well have been the main driver to cause Lincoln to shortly thereafter put in Meade as commander - 3 days before the battle of Gettysburg. All Lincoln had to do after the ensuing wins at Gettysburg and Vicksburg was to win the peace. He failed miserably to do so as demonstrated by another 100,000 union casualties caused by attacking Lee's defensive fight fortifications; resorting to scorched earth warfare; and, his assassination hours after announcing his plans for empowering the freed slave. Victors must proceed with due caution after such a horrendous self inflicted scourging of half the nation. Lordy, a million casualties would equate to 10,000,000 dead and horribly maimed today. A political solution even if costly and somewhat distasteful would have been far more beneficial on all counts.

[@HenryHahnsRifle]

I applaud the man, but couldn't he take the time to button his coat just a little more or at least put his belt on straight? It's not like people were taking photographs everywhere and all the time. He paid to sit in a man's studio for a photo and presents himself as a slob....

[@jimmoore9239]

I understand your point. Personally, I kinda like a high ranking officer who let's his hair down a little. With tight military formality. US Grant was noted for such "carelessness". I just find it cool. And hey, he was a Hoosier Man. Rough hewn, Salty and ready to fight.

[@HenryHahnsRifle]

@@jimmoore9239 I appreciated officers and ncos being cool. It showed they're human like the rest of us. But you have to take pride in your uniform. I had my ass chewed for a uniform covered in loose threads after being told to help. It was dark so I couldn't tell I was covered in the various bits of thread from carrying multiple loads of new, fresh out of the box uniforms. You have to have standards and this guy didn't or just didn't care.

[@brigid1927]

Great telling of this historical moment! I live near Winchester, Va and so can picture that seen as well as the General's rallying of the troops....thank you!

[@bettyhade1844]

Lincoln was sold on the military necessity of freeing the slaves (who were frequently employed building defensive works by the south e.g on the peninsula) by none other than Frederick Douglass, as detailed in a book a few years back. Clearly the hundreds of thousands of highly motivated ex-slaves proved a decisive factor, as the north had huge material and logistical edges, but lacked adequate motivated troops to occupy the trenches under fire. Remember the New York draft riots just the same time as Gettysburg and Vicksburg marked the turning of the tide of the war. So he was a smart guy to understand the military implications, even if others failed to get it.

[@ozzyphil74]

The Lord God fights for those who fight for liberty

[@oldgeezerproductions]

Let us just say that a good moral stance most certainly helps morale and an army's morale helps it win battles.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Same name, same height, same hair, way different view on the war. Three out of four aint bad.

[@horizon42q]

Good one, good info

[@andywindes4968]

He must have been an ancestor of actor John Anderson.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

No, we Milroy men get our good looks, physical stature, and wild grey hair from Wigtown Martyr John Milroy.

[@Chris-ut6eq]

He sounds like a good person caught up in the excitement of the moment that others may not have cared much about. I'm not familiar with this loss of Winchester, Va., but am curious if the 3k+ lives bought anything of use for the union.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Victory at Gettysburg and some of the most memorable quotes of the war? Lincoln was in such despair over the loss at Winchester he changed leadership to Meade 3 days before the battle.

[@oldgeezerproductions]

The day on which General Milroy was so righteously jubilant was the very day when the United States, in those States North of the Mason Dixon Line, finally joined the Confederacy in publicly acknowledging that the war was also about slavery. For the Confederacy, the war was ALWAYS and EXCLUSIVELY about slavery and the "protection" of that hideous institution, but only after the Federal government finally realized that, for both moral righteousness and military necessity, their 'casus belli' had to include eliminating "America's Original Sin" that made Jefferson's ringing words, in fact, hypocritical. The two impulses, universal freedom for all men under the Constitution AND the preservation of a nation mighty enough to take its place equal among the powerful nations of the world, they made victory inevitable.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

As Milroy's physical double but political opposite - I will play devils advocate. You do realize that the freedman was played false - right? The war was devastating to this country.

[@michaellynnhardy]

For all the bad stuff written about General Milroy, I appreciate this good anecdote. Thanks

[@jeffmilroy9345]

He still was able to get Meade installed by being beat so bad. That had an interesting butterfly affect I guess. As his 6'-4" ancestor bearing a striking likeness I disagree with his politics. The war was and still is devastating to the nation's welfare.

[@chadparsons50]

Remove the hair and he looks like an Easter Island statue.

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

Or add hair to the statues and they look like Milroy 😂

[@jeffmilroy9345]

You can not remove the hair. It is our essence. It grows wicked fast.

[@alexanderv7702]

How can a Lieutenant General be superior to a Major General?

[@mikehopkins8350]

Lieutenant Generals are senior in grade to Major Generals in the US. Doesn’t make sense but it works that way in US Army, Marines and Air Force. I think the British do it the same way. My guess is that once upon a time there were only two general grades (general and lieutenant general) and the rest were added later.

[@glenbinnie2086]

In some European armies in the 16th/17th centuries the “Lieutenant General” rank started as the deputy to the “General” commanding the whole army. Both of them were usually nobles or royals. The Major General rank started as the “Sergeant-Major General” who mustered the infantry into their line of battle formations & was usually a professional soldier with more experience but less social standing. Over time the “Sergeant” was dropped leaving just Major General. Later, separately, “Sergeant Major” became a term for senior NCOs.

[@JamesAdams-ev6fc]

Thanks!

[@WilliamLee-ue6yq]

Doesn’t seem like the ultimate outcome of the war would be very hard to predict.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Many underestimated the desperate position faced by the south. They were defending an economy set in motion by the royal charters hundreds of years earlier. These ferocious fighters ultimately killed 100,000 more yankees than confederates and still lost.

[@thescarletandgrey2505]

I’d say there’s a little bit of Milroy in all of us.

[@jeffmilroy9345]

Definitely some in me. I could be his double.