James Bostwick Robinson diaries

Collection

Identifier: BUSC-2023-003

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This collection includes James Bostwick Robinson's diaries for the years 1860, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, and 1866, as well as a later, undated autograph book. The diaries cover much of Robinson's service in the 85th New York Volunteers, other than the final few months of 1861, the diary for 1861 not being present. He discusses army life in some detail, including his time in Andersonville Prison in Georgia beginning in April 1864. Robinson frequently mentions his health problems, and at the end of each diary records his spending in detail. At the end of the 1864 diary he records those of the 85th New York who had died between April 20 and December 10, 1864.

A rough transcription of the diary provided by the donor is available for consultation.

Dates

1860 - 1866 and undated

Creator

Robinson, James Bostwick, 1840-1912 (Person)

Biographical Note

James Bostwick Robinson was born near Springwater, Livingston County, New York on May 18, 1840 to Joseph and Katherine (Spangler) Robinson. He attended the local schools and taught at a school near Springwater in the winter of 1859/1860. The following year he traveled to Virginia in search of a teaching post and worked there for much of the year. Robinson enlisted as a sergeant in Company B, 85th New York Volunteers on September 17, 1861 and served in the Peninsular Campaign. He was promoted to 1st sergeant on July 10, 1862, and re-enlisted for a second term on January 1, 1864 while stationed at Plymouth, North Carolina. On April 20, 1864 he and others from his regiment were captured and taken to Andersonville Prison in Georgia; he was also held variously in Charleston and Florence, South Carolina until his parole near the end of the year. Robinson was mustered out at New Berne, North Carolina on June 27, 1865, and was commissioned 1st Lieutenant on May 11, 1865 with rank from April 7, 1865. In muster rolls he is described as having "Blue Eyes Brown hair Light Complexion 5 feet 6 1/2 in high."

After the war Robinson returned to Springwater and worked with his brother Edmond on the family farm for a time. According to a biographical sketch by Robinson's son, Robinson and his sister Sally went to Illinois, Minnesota, and Michigan to visit other siblings in the fall of 1865. In 1866 he attended the Eastman Business College at Poughkeepsie, New York, and then joined his brother Carleton in running a grocery store in Port Huron, Michigan.

On May 21, 1868 Robinson married Helen Peabody in Port Huron; she was the daughter of Alvah and Jane (Quick) Peabody of Springwater. Helen died on December 3, 1868.

Robinson settled in Redwood Falls, Minnesota in 1873, where he began a real estate and insurance business. He held various local and judicial offices in the area, including as register of deeds and judge of probate; and frequently assisted local veterans in obtaining pensions. According to the family biography he was known as a "counsellor and friend to the Indians of the Lower Sioux Agency."

Robinson remarried on November 13, 1877 to Adelle M. Chapman (1854 - 1939), and they had four children. He was granted an invalid's pension on April 18, 1892.

James Bostwick Robinson died on June 9, 1912, and was buried in the Redwood Falls Cemetery, Redwood Falls, Redwood County, Minnesota, along with several members of his family.

Extent

.5 Linear Feet

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

This collection includes the diaries of James Bostwick Robinson (1840 - 1912) for the years 1860, 1862, 1863, 1864, 1865, and 1866, as well as a later, undated autograph book. The diaries cover much of Robinson's service in the 85th New York Volunteers. He discusses army life in some detail, including his time in Andersonville Prison in Georgia beginning in April 1864. Robinson frequently mentions his health problems, and at the end of each diary records his spending in detail. At the end of the 1864 diary he records those of the 85th New York who had died between April 20 and December 10, 1864.