African Americana

1 page, 4to, 7 3/4 x 9 5/8 in., old folds, minor toning.

Brigadier General Milroy  issues a General Orders addressing the maltreatment of African Americans by Union soldiers: "The General commanding has been repeatedly pained to learn that a few bad men in some of the Regiments of his command, are in the habit of abusing, beating, and otherwise maltreating the negro and mulatto servants and teamsters employed by officers and quartermasters in his command." He continues with a plea: "These black people are generally quiet and orderly - they were created black and cannot help it - they have mostly been made slaves, and robbed of the proceeds of their own labor, and could not help it; and have left traitor masters in arms against our forces, and are desirous of helping us all they can; and are, therefore, entitled to our pity and commiseration, rather than abuse and contempt." In conclusion, however, the order is clear: "It is therefore ordered, and hereby made the duty of every officer and soldier, of this command, to immediately shoot down every soldier or other person, who may be found causelessly abusing, beating, or otherwise maltreating any of the negro or mulatto servants, or drivers in or about this command." 

Below this, Milroy writes with his thoughts about efforts: "I have...had much trouble in abolitionizing my Va. Regts. The above is a specimen of some of my efforts in that line. Ignorance + prejudice are the great barriers in the way, but I am succeeding admirably + will have them the best abolitionists in the U.S. The Negroes are the only reliable Union men we find. + I tell all that want their freedom that they are free." 

[With:] Vignetted studio portrait of General Robert Huston Milroy. N.p.: Taylor & Seavey, n.d. 
2 1/8 x 3 3/8 in. CDV on cardstock mount (some spotting, minor toning). Photographers' Army of the Tennessee imprint to mount verso. Signed by Milroy to recto: "Yours Truly / R.H. Milroy".