Civil War 72 Reg. NY Vol.
John A. Robinson was a 25-year-old unmarried farmer at Walton, Delaware County when he enrolled in the 72nd New York Infantry (Excelsior Brigade) at Delhi on June 4, 1861. He mustered in as a private in Company I on June 21 and was promoted to corporal in October. It was about that time that, while in camp at Washington, D.C., he shot himself in the left calf while cleaning or repairing a revolver. He was laid up for six or eight weeks.
Robinson served with the 72nd through the Peninsula campaign. After Second Manassas, he was promoted to sergeant and, after Fredericksburg, to first sergeant. Following Chancellorsville, and just in time for Gettysburg, Robinson received his commission as second lieutenant, assigned to Company E.
Lt. Robinson was among those wounded while defending the line along the Emmitsburg Road July 2, 1863—again shot in the left leg, and this time, out of commission for nine weeks. He was on duty again for the Battle of Bristoe Station and the Mine Run campaign. Transferred to Company G on March 1, 1864, his final battle was at Spotsylvania Courthouse, where he was struck by a minie ball below the left clavicle, with the ball breaking the outer third of the bone and deflecting through the scapula before exiting. It was now eighteen months recuperating, most of the time before his June 23 discharge in a hospital at Georgetown, D.C.
Robinson's brother George was also an officer of the 72nd.
Robinson continued to suffer from his injuries, but he made a living as a carpenter. ddison Advertiser (Addison, NY), Thu, May 23, 1895, Vol 38 - No 21, 5th page, col 2.
John A. Robinson died at his home on Cleveland street last Thursday afternoon, of consumption, after an illness of several weeks. Besides his wife, he leaves one daughter, Mrs. Wm. Wade, to mourn his loss. The funeral was held Saturday at 2 p. m.