Talk:Robert H. Milroy

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December 14, 2007 Edits

There were added some time ago about six pararaphs by a single editor that were extremely critical of Milroy which in and of itself is not bad. However there were some very specific claims that were not supported by online citations. These section were marked back in May by another editor as "citation needed", but nothing has been provided ad there has been no discussion on this page concernng the citation questions. I have removed those sections until appropriate ctations are provided. Tom (North Shoreman) (talk) 01:04, 15 December 2007 (UTC)[reply]

First Slaves Freed by Special Orders

In an attempt to prevent slaves from seeking safety behind Union Lines owners had their slaves confined in the Taylor County Jail, then in Pruntytown, Va. (now W.Va.). When President Lincoln learned of this he had them declared contrabands of war and ordered the War Department to issue orders to General B.F.Butler for their release. Said order was then wired to Brigadier General Robert H. Milroy who was then Commanding the Cheat Mountain Division of the Federal Army. General Milroy then issued two Special Orders.

"Head Quarters Cheat Mt. Division. New Creek, Va., November 22nd, 1862
 Special Order No. 100
 II The Jailor at Pruntytown, in Taylor County, Wes.Va. is hereby ordered to release immediately and unconditionally the Contrabands now held as prisoners in the County Prison at said Pruntytown, Va.
    A disregard of this order will be visited with the severest punishment.
 By order Brig. [General] R. H. Milroy
 Comd. Cheat Mt. Divi. 
 John O. Gravens
 [Lietenant and Aide-de Camp.]"

Special Order 100 was not obeyed by the jailer William Morris, who insisted on a writen order from their owners. This refusal was wired to General Milroy. Said refusal resulted in General Milroy immediately wiring Lieutenant E. Chalfant who commanded Battery D. First West Virginia Light Artillery the following,

"Head Quarters Cheat Mt. Division
 New Creek, Va. Nov. 24, 1862
 Special Order No.104
 II Lieut. E. Chalfant of Co. D. [First West Virginia Volunteer Light] Artillery will proceed to Pruntytown, Taylor County, Va. with a detachment of Men and liberate from Confinement in 
 the County Jail at that place a number of colored persons, being Men, women and children who were formerly held as property, but now Contrabands, their masters having become traitors to 
 the Government of the United States."
    Lieut. Chalfant is also ordered to severely punish those who have unjustly and illegally arrested and imprisoned said Contrabands, and refused to Yield obedience to Special Order, No 
 100 for their release issued from this Head Quarters Nov. 22, 1862.
      By Order of Brig. General R. H. Milroy
       John O. Gravens
       [Lieutenant Aide-de Camp]"

Lieutenant Chalfant and a detachment of six men came down to Pruntytown and Mr. Morris opened the jail and released all being heald in same. These Freedmen were escorted to Grafton and placed on a train that took them to Ohio where they were wards of the state untill the end of the Cival War. Some were said to have returned to Pruntytown and Grafton following said war. The bell that was in the Pruntytown Courthouse is now in the Grafton Courthouse and restored to use. It's purpose was to call people to said Courthouse when there was business there, such as the reading of a special order. However I have never been able to find evidence to prove or disprove it was used on the day Special Order No. 104 was served, and the first slaves were freed. The Special orders spoke of are in the possesion of the National Archives and Records Administration. They are located in Record Group 393, Records of U.S. Army Continental Commands, Part II.