General Milroy Collection

Online Manuscript Collection

In 2006, more than 700 original papers and letters of Gen. Robert H. Milroy dealing with the Civil War were digitized for visitors to access over the Internet.

Using the software CONTENTdm, an online searchable database of 2527 pages of manuscripts, broadsides, maps, photographs, and certificates of historically significant Civil War documents from the papers of General Milroy has been created. 

These unique original source documents about this key point in U.S. History are one of the library's treasured assets and we are pleased to share them with the world online.

Visit the JCPL's Robert H. Milroy Collection.

Items in the Rensselaer Public Library

ROBERT HUSTON MILROY

1816-1890

"GRAY EAGLE"

Robert Huston Milroy was born in Washington County, Indiana in 1816. He was the son of Samuel and Martha (Huston) Milroy. At the age of 24, he attended Military School in Norwich, Vermont. When the Mexican War (1846-48) broke out, he enlisted and became Captain of the First Indiana Regiment. He was admitted to the bar in 1850 and moved his family to Rensselaer, Indiana in 1854. After hearing the news of the fall of Fort Sumter (16 April 1861), Milroy enlisted a company of volunteers from Jasper County and was commissioned Colonel of Company G 9th Indiana Volunteers. On February 2, 1862, he was commissioned as Brigadier General and continued in various commands. He was made Major General of Volunteers in 1863. After a disastrous defeat in Winchester, Virginia, June of 1863, General Milroy was brought up before a court of inquiry on charges of cowardice. He was later acquitted of all charges. The General resigned from the army in1865 and returned to Civilian life. In 1872 he became Superintendent of Indian Affairs in the State of Washington, and from 1875 to 1885 he was Indian agent with headquarters at Olympia, Wash. He died March 29, 1890 and is buried in Olympia.

Here is a sample of the photographs in JCPL's General R. H. Milroy Civil War era collection.

SWORDS OF R.H. MILROY

Three swords were presented to General R.H. Milroy while in the service. 

A gold-plated sword (shown below) was given by officers of his command at Winchester, Va.

The second is a one thousand dollar sword and belt given to him by the 25th Ohio Regiment. 

It is inscribed with battles in which the regiment participated.

The third sword was presented to General Milroy by the loyal citizens of Shelbyville and Bedford County, Tenn.

Gold-plated sword given by officers of his command at Winchester, Va.

Swords and guns owned by R.H. Milroy


These swords, along with other Milroy memorabilia, can be seen at the Jasper County Public Library, in the Genealogy Section. Click here to see a list of items in the display case.

Milroy Links

Names on the Milroy Monument List maintained by Lanewood.com, award-winning Jasper County Genealogy website.

Have more questions? Email us!

08/09/2007