Hero of the Week 91

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This week's hero is...

James Robinson

James Robinson was born in the colony of Maryland on March 21, 1753. He grew up as a slave of a plantation owner named, Francis De Shields. Little did he know, his time as a slave would ultimately put him on the front lines of heavy combat. And his performance would help secure a country's Independence.

Part I

In 1775, De Shields had James Robinson enlist in the Continental Army. He was promised emancipation for his service. He enlisted in a Virginia Light Regiment under the command of the Marquis de Lafayette. Robinson saw combat at the Battle of Brandywine Creek, where his regiment successfully covered the Continental Army's retreat. After that, he participated in a number of skirmishes against Loyalist and Native tribes that were allied to the British. However, Robinson's defining moment would come in what was considered to be the climax of the American Revolution, the Siege of Yorktown. 

In the month of September, 1781, the American and French armies had successfully trapped the British army under the command of Charles Cornwallis at the port city of Yorktown, Virginia. In order to force Cornwallis to surrender, the Americans and French needed to capture the redoubts and fortifications outside that overlooked his position. If these were taken, Cornwallis would be dangerously exposed to artillery and sniper fire.

The Virginia Light Regiment was among those assigned to assault redoubt 10 on the British perimeter. These assaults were led by Lafayette and Alexander Hamilton. The attack began on October 14, at 6 PM. James Robinson and his regiment were among the very first to charge the redoubts. As soon as they reached the position, they pulled out axes and chopped their way through the abatis (wooden barricade). Robinson was the first man to enter the redoubt. He then personally killed three British soldiers in hand-to-hand combat. Within just thirty minutes of fighting, redoubt 10 was captured.

The loss of the redoubts ultimately led to the surrender of Cornwallis's army. Just five days later, the British army officially surrendered to the Continental Army. Their defeat at Yorktown was the final nail in the coffin for the British in their attempt to quell the American Revolution. A year and a half later, they signed the Treaty of Paris, and granted the United States their independence.

Part II

For his courage and valor at the Siege of Yorktown, James Robinson was personally commended by the Marquis De Lafayette. The latter personally awarded Robinson a Gold Medal of Valor. Upon his return to Maryland, Robinson expected to be granted his freedom due to his distinguished service. However, he discovered that his master (Francis De Shields) had passed away before his arrival. One of De Shield's sons decided to sell Robinson to a new plantation owner down in the deep south. 

For the next three decades, Robinson worked for a farmer named, Calvin Smith. By 1812, he was working on a plantation down in Louisiana. Then, just as he was beginning to despair that he would never be free, another war broke out between the United States and Great Britain. James Robinson was approached by a man named Andrew Jackson who offered to free all slaves who enlisted in his army. Despite having doubts, Robinson agreed to enlist one more time.

For the next three years, Robinson served in the American army during the War of 1812. Like the Revolution before, he would once again distinguish himself on the battlefield. In the waning days of the conflict, the British Army launched an invasion of Louisiana and converged on the city of New Orleans. To counter this, Jackson pulled a ragtag army of regulars, militiamen, marines, Choctaw warriors, and even French pirates.

On January 8, 1815, the two armies met. In one of the most spectacular engagements of the War of 1812, Jackson's army shattered the attacking British as they charged his fortifications. During the battle, James Robinson personally killed six enemy soldiers with his rifle and bayonet. When it was over, the British retreated after suffering more than 2,000 casualties. The Americans suffered just over 60.

Epilogue

For a second time, James Robinson had distinguished himself on the battlefield. And for a second time, he was denied his freedom. Jackson reneged on his promise and returned Robinson to his owner (Robinson would never forgive him). For another 15 years, he remained a slave before finally obtaining his freedom in 1830. Robinson then became an ordained minister and moved to the state of Ohio. Eventually he and his family moved to Detroit, Michigan, where he wrote a book that narrated his life. Robinson continued to live in Detroit until his death on March 27, 1868, at the great age of 115. He is believed by some to be the last living veteran of the American Revolution.

For more than 151 years, the service and story of James Robinson was forgotten by the American people. It wasn't until 2019, that the Michigan's chapter of the Sons of the American Revolution finally decided to give him a long overdue ceremony. After locating his grave and long forgotten documents that detailed his service, the SAR and the American Legion built a military headstone for the deceased Robinson. On June 22, they replaced the headstone and conducted a 21 gun salute in his honor. Although he never lived to experience it, James Robinson finally received the recognition for all that he did for the United States of America.

https://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/eastern-shore/bs-md-private-robinson-honored-20190618-story.html

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2019/05/27/151-years-late-revolutionary-war-vet-honored/1252732001/

https://www.elmwoodhistoriccemetery.org/biographies/reverend-james-robinson/

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/328819/african-american-revolutionary-war-heros-legacy-diversity-honored-detroit-gravestone-dedication?fbclid=IwAR1umF6G5S3Fwa78bBVn8rrqLu43WEVGOpYRW7JisgOnKu9BlUgKgooz7Y4