WOW, I uncovered some new information on Harry Robinette tonight.

In the spring of 1865 he was released from Lt General Grant’s staff where he was an Assistant Aide de Camp. Evidently there was no room for another captain in the 1st U.S. Infantry. No sources docs for this part, strictly speculation, it looks like he was reduced from his brevet Captaincy to 1st Lieutenant of Volunteers and sent to his unit (1st U.S. Infantry) in New Orleans. This is a regular Army unit so I am not sure why it said volunteer.

On 16 DEC ‘65 he suspended from service for one month for actions on 6 NOV: “Conduct prejudicial to good order & military discipline and using contemptuous and disrespectful language to his superior officer.” This involved Major M. Maloney who ordered him not to put his baggage on a particular wagon, which he did anyway.

On 29 DEC 65 he was dismissed from service for actions on 25 NOV “conduct unbecoming and officer and a gentleman, conduct to the prejudice of good order and military discipline.” This involved a saloon in New Orleans which he entered with two enlisted men who were refused service by the bartender. Harry jumped the bar and confronted the bartender and who then called the Officer of the Day a Captain J.D. DeRussy who he refused to obey and encouraged the enlisted to also refuse to obey.

Then what do I find but a letter date April 66 from US Senator William Hall, the District Judge of Delaware along with “many other prominent citizens of Delaware” asking Secretary of War Henry Stanton to promote Harry to Major from “his now current rank” of Lieutenant. He mentions a "severe wound" from the war, first documentation of it that I have found.

Something is funny here and doesn’t make sense. Harry gets in trouble in early November 65, gets in more trouble at the end of November. Two courts martial are held, the first suspends, the second dismisses effective at the end of December 65. How does he get back into the army as Lieutenant and why does the entire (well all three) Congressional delegation from Delaware want him reinstated?

As a final note, recall that in February of 1868 he will commit suicide at Ft. Jackson near New Orleans while still on active duty. This is a troubled man

Students note: historical research constantly leads to more questions. It is like a never ending detective story.

Keep History Alive

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