Rensselaer Republican, Volume 22, Number 32, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 April 1890 — THE DEAD “GRAY EAGLE.” [ARTICLE]

THE DEAD “GRAY EAGLE.”

Sketch of the Career as General Robert H. Milroy, a Volunteer Soldier Whose Patriotic AchieTements Will lire After Him. Delphi Journal. The death of Gen. Milroy brings to a close the life of a man of exceptionally high and noble character, whose fidelity to truth and right was of the most unflinching kind, and who, as a citizen and public official, was singularly pure and conscientious. General Milroy was the eldest son of Mr. and Mrs. Samuel Milroy, and was born at Salem, this state, July 11, 1816. Through his own individual efforts he was enabled to attend the Norwich Military Academy, in Vermont, from which he graduated as valedictorian of his class. In 1840 he graduated from the law school of Bloomington University. The inclinations for a military life led the young lawyer to visit Texas in 1844, and he took the oath of allegiance to that Republic. The death of his father, soon after, called him. and he soon entered the Mexican war as a captain of the First Indiana regiment. Returning from the war he was commissioned as Judge of the -Eighth-Judicial District of Indiana. In May, 1854, he moved to Rensselaer, where be enjoyed a large law practice until the breaking out of the war. After the war he became a citizen of Delphi, forming a partnership in the practice of law with Judge Gould. He moved to Olympia in 1873, where he has since resided, in 1849 he WBs married to Mary 8. Armitage, daughter of Valerius Armitage, a contractor in ythe construction of the Wabash & Eri9 Canal. General Milroy’s distinguished military services were never fully appreciated, although he was universally regarded as a brave and intrepid commander. The logic of events occuring in the years prior to the war taught him that a storm Was coming and so impressed was he that a war was near at hand that he opened a musterroll in his office at Rensselaer, Feb. 8,1861. With all his earnest appeals, up to the fall of Fort Sumpter he got but two recruits — Gideon C. Moody, afterward on General Thomas’ staff, and Albert Guthridge, afterward captain. Before daybreak on the me ruing of receiving the news of the fall of Fort Sumpter, with a martial band and by ringing of the court house bell in Rensselaer, Milroy aroused the citizens of that place and before breakfast his muster-roll was completed and the same day forwarded to Governor Morton at Indianapolis. In a short time, as colonel of the Ninth Indiana, he was ordered into West Virginia. By his personal bravery, endurance of hardships with his soldiers, and constant solicitation for their comfort, he gained a love and admiration from them that was akin to worship. He was always ready for a fight and chafed under restraint imposed by superior officers in preparing for battle. In direct violation of, orders ha opened the battle of Laurel Hill and completely routed the enemy. With his command he stood the brunt of the three months’ campaign in West Virginal, making few reports and consequently getting little credit in war histories. In February, 1862, he was commisssioned a Brigadier General and a month later a Major General. Never but once was he defeated in battle when in full command of his forces and that was at Winchester, Ya., end through the treachery of Halleck and —— l — the same partiality been shown Milroy that avrs shown West Point graduates his military genius would have placed him among the most noted generals of | the war. During the war Gs no nil Milroy | find three burses shot under him, I one of them being a present from Jasper county admirers. After fife celebrated raid in Virginia, where he made waste and devastation, Jeff Davis offered £IOO,OOO for his head. He.fought until the end of the war, when he returned to private life. Ho was a- man of martial bearing, standing six feet, two inches in his stocking feet, and as straight as an arrow. Among the so 1 dijars he was known as the “Gray Eagle.” Three swords were presented him in the service—one by his command at Winchester; the second, a thousand dollar SAyord, by the Twenty-Fifth Ohio regiment; the third, by the loyal people of Sheibyville and Bedford county, Tenu. After the war General Milroy held many offices of honor and he was always true to them. His honor, integrity and morality were unspotted. His friends ifi this community recall his many virtues and unite Avith the afflicted members of his family in mourning his death. We doubt not that he died as he lived— a brave, g Jlant and unflinching man. ,