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Civil War Colonel Commemorated in Renssalaer Park

Introduction

Text-to-speech Audio

Robert H. Milroy was a colonel in the military during the Civil War. Born in Canton, IN, 5 miles east of Salem, he bounced around the country until returning to Indiana in 1847. He graduated from law school at Indiana University in 1850 and served as a lawyer and judge in Renssalaer until the Civil War. In 1860, he was captain of a militia in Indiana and in 1861 was appointed colonel of the 9th Indiana Infantry by Abraham Lincoln shortly after Fort Sumter. Milroy later became the trustee of the Wabash and Erie Canal Company in 1872 and in 1875 became an Indian agent in Washington Territory for ten years.

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Backstory and Context

Text-to-speech Audio

Robert H. Milroy was a colonel in the military during the Civil War. Born in Canton, IN, 5 miles east of Salem, he bounced around the country until returning to Indiana in 1847. He graduated from law school at Indiana University in 1850 and served as a lawyer and judge in Renssalaer until the Civil War. In 1860, he was captain of a militia in Indiana and in 1861 was appointed colonel of the 9th Indiana Infantry by Abraham Lincoln shortly after Fort Sumter. Milroy commanded a few successful brigades and battles during his time as a colonel but is most known for the Battle of Winchester. Milroy was outmaneuvered by the Confederates and left his men to stand against them outnumbered and outgunned. Colonel Milroy faced trial for his actions during this battle but was not convicted of any wrongdoing and soon after he resigned. Milroy later became the trustee of the Wabash and Erie Canal Company in 1872 and in 1875 became an Indian agent in Washington Territory for ten years. He died in 1890 in Washington at the age of 73.

Sources

IN.gov, IHB: General Robert H. Milroy 1816-1890, https://www.in.gov/history/markers/148,htm.htm

Lanewood.com, Milroy Monument Names, http://www.lanewood.com/Milroy.htm

“Robert H. Milroy”, American Battlefield Trust, https://www.battlefields.org/learn/biographies/robert-h-milroy

Additional Information