John De Wilton Robinson

As printed in 1882

JOHN DE WILTON ROBINSON.

John De Wilton Robinson is the son of B. F. Robinson, of South Carolina, one of the early settlers of Boone county, and a member of the Columbia bar, now residing at Dallas, Texas. His mother's maiden name was Frances De Wilton McLanahan, also a native of South Carolina. John was born in Boone county, city of Columbia, June 27, 1834. He grew up in this county and received his education at the State University, graduating in the class of 1853. He studied law under Judge F. P. Wright of Warsaw, Missouri, and was admitted to the bar of that place in 1854, Hon. Waldo P. Jolfuson and Judge Ballon being his examiners. Locating at Kansas City, he practiced there till 1861, four years of which time he served as city attorney.

Mr. Robinson came of a race of Southern people, and, when the civil troubles began, naturally he espoused the cause of the Confederacy, and stated his all upon the issue in favor of the sunny South. In 1861 he made tours to the southern part of Missouri in the interest of the cause. He joined Rucker's company in August, 1862, and soon afterwards figured in the famous Poindexter's raid. He was in the actions at Switzler's mill and Compton's ferry on Grand river. After the command disbanded, he was taken prisoner by the Federals ill this county and held nine months, the time being divided between Columbia, St. Louis, Cairo, Camp Douglas, and other Federal prisons, during which he endured all the privations and indignities of a prisoner of war. h\ the spring of 1863 he was exchanged at City Point, Virginia, and joined McKinney's battalion and was sent to Pemberton's army in Mississippi. He arrived there eight days before the siege of Vicksburg opened. He was transferred to Lowe's battery (afterwards Dawson's) and was in the battles of Baker's Creek, Big Black, siege of Vicksburg, Mission Ridge, Kelly's Cross Roads, La., defence of Mobile and other fights and skirmishes. He had been captured at Vicksburg, but was released on parole and was in the service at the time of the surrender. He served as private *' No. 4 on the gun," and never lost three days during the entire period of his service except while a prisoner. After the war he returned to Mis-

As printed in History of Boone County, Missouri (1882). See the original pages. Wording is the original; obvious scanning errors have been corrected, and a few may remain.