To Citizens of Virginia From Gen Milroy Jan 5 1863

              FREEDOM TO SLAVES! 
 
    Whereas. the President of the United States did,  on the first day of the present month, issue his PROCLAMATION declaring “that all persons held as Slaves  in  certain  designated  States,  and parts  of  states,  are,  and henceforward shall be free,” and that the   Executive  Government of the United States, including  the  Military  and  naval authorities  thereof,  would  recognize and maintain  the  freedom of said persons.  And Whereas,  the  county  of Frederick is  included in the territory designated by the  Proclamation  of  the President,  in  which  the  Slaves  should become  free,  I therefore  hereby  notify citizens of the city of Winchester, and  of said County, of  said Proclamation, and of my intention to maintain and enforce the same. 
    I expect all citizens to yield a  ready compliance  with the Proclamation of the  Chief  Executive,  and  I  admonish  all  persons  disposed  to  resist  its peaceful   enforcement,  that  upon  manifesting   such  disposition  by  acts, they  will  be  regarded  as rebels in arms against the lawful authority of the federal Government and dealt with accordingly. 
    All  persons  liberated  by  said Proclamation  are  admonished to abstain from all violence, and immediately betake themselves to useful occupations. 
    The officers of this command are admonished and ordered to act in accordance  with  said  proclamation  and  to  yield  their  ready  co-operation in its enforcement. 
                                                                 R.  H.  Milroy,                                        Brig. Gen’l Commanding 
Winchester Va. 
Jan. 5th, 1863 
 
(note on reverse) 
R.H.Milroy order 
freeing slaves of 
Winchester & vicinity