John C. Robinson facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
John Cleveland Robinson
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General John C. Robinson
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| Born | April 10, 1817 Binghamton, New York |
| Died | February 18, 1897 (aged 79) Binghamton, New York |
| Place of burial |
Spring Forest Cemetery, Binghamton, New York
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| Allegiance | United States of America Union |
| Service/ |
United States Army Union Army |
| Years of service | 1839–1869 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Commands held | 1st Michigan Infantry Regiment 2nd Division, I Corps 2nd Division, V Corps |
| Battles/wars | Seminole Wars |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | Lieutenant Governor of New York |
John Cleveland Robinson (born April 10, 1817 – died February 18, 1897) was an important American soldier. He had a long career in the United States Army, fighting in many wars. He became a high-ranking general during the American Civil War.
In 1864, he was given the Medal of Honor for being very brave in battle. This happened near Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, where he was badly hurt and lost a leg. After leaving the army in 1869, he became the Lieutenant Governor of New York from 1873 to 1874. He also led a big group of Civil War veterans called the Grand Army of the Republic.
Contents
Becoming a Soldier: Early Life and Career
John Robinson was born in Binghamton, New York, on April 10, 1817. He started studying at the United States Military Academy in 1835. However, he was asked to leave in 1838. After that, he studied law for a year.
In October 1839, he decided to join the army again. He became a second lieutenant in the 5th U.S. Infantry Regiment.
Fighting in Mexico and Florida
In 1845, Robinson went to Corpus Christi, Texas, to join General Winfield Scott's army. He became a first lieutenant in June 1846. He fought bravely in the Mexican–American War, especially at the Battle of Monterey. He also took part in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.
Robinson became a captain in 1850. He then served in different army bases. From 1853 to 1854, he led soldiers in battles against Native American tribes in Texas. In 1856, he fought in Florida during the Third Seminole War. He led many trips into the Everglades and Big Cypress Swamp to fight the Seminoles.
Serving in the West
After the Seminole War, Robinson was put in charge of Fort Bridger in the Utah Territory. From 1857 to 1858, he served at Camp Floyd during the Utah War. Camp Floyd was the largest army base in the U.S. before the Civil War.
While in Utah, he helped start the first Masonic Lodge there in 1859. Later, he was sent back east to command Fort McHenry in Baltimore, Maryland.
The American Civil War: A General's Journey
When the Civil War began, Maryland was a "border state." This meant it stayed with the Union even though it allowed slavery. Some people wanted to take over Fort McHenry. But Robinson made it seem like he had many more soldiers coming. This helped him keep control of the fort with his small group of 60 men.
Robinson was then sent to Detroit to help recruit new soldiers. He also helped the governor of Ohio raise troops. In September 1861, he became a colonel of the 1st Michigan Volunteer Infantry. He helped recruit this group of soldiers himself.
Rising Through the Ranks
Because of his wide experience in battles, Robinson was quickly promoted. On April 30, 1862, President Lincoln made him a brigadier general of volunteers. He soon joined the Army of the Potomac. There, he led a group of soldiers in the III Corps. He fought very well during the Peninsula Campaign, especially in the Seven Days Battles. General Philip Kearny praised Robinson highly for his actions.
Robinson also fought in the Northern Virginia Campaign later that year. He was wounded at Broad Run, Virginia, on August 27, 1862. He then fought at the Battle of Fredericksburg. In 1863, he was put in charge of a division in the I Corps. He led them at the Battle of Chancellorsville.
Gettysburg and Beyond
In July 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg, Robinson commanded a division north of Gettysburg. His soldiers fought bravely on July 1. But they had to retreat through the town because there were too many enemy soldiers. For his courage at Gettysburg, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the regular army.
He was promoted again to colonel for his efforts in the Mine Run Campaign and the 1864 Battle of the Wilderness. In the Wilderness battle, Robinson led the 2nd Division in the V Corps.
Robinson was later given the Medal of Honor for his actions on May 8, 1864. This was during a fight at Alsop's farm near Laurel Hill, Virginia. He led his soldiers in a charge against the enemy's defenses and was badly wounded. He was shot in the left knee, and his leg had to be removed. After this injury, Robinson could no longer fight in battles. He spent the rest of the war doing office work.
A soldier from Maine once called him "The hairiest General he ever saw." This led to his famous nickname: "The hairiest man in the army."
Life After the War: Public Service
After the Civil War ended, Robinson stayed in the army. He was put in charge of the Freedmen's Bureau in North Carolina. This group helped formerly enslaved people. In 1866, he was promoted to brigadier general and then major general in the regular army. He retired from the U.S. Army on May 6, 1869.
Robinson was a Freemason, which is a social and charitable organization. He was a member of a lodge in Binghamton.
He was a popular person in New York. In 1872, he was elected Lieutenant Governor of New York. He served under Governor John Adams Dix. Robinson was very active in helping other veterans. He became the leader of the Grand Army of the Republic, a large group of Civil War veterans, from 1877 to 1879.
In his later years, Robinson lost his eyesight and became completely blind.
He passed away at home on February 18, 1897, at the age of 79. He was buried in Spring Forest Cemetery in Binghamton, New York.
A bronze statue of John Cleveland Robinson stands in Gettysburg National Military Park.
See also
- List of Medal of Honor recipients
- List of American Civil War Medal of Honor recipients: Q–S
- List of American Civil War generals (Union)
