George Robinson
Last Union Civil War Soldier of Delaware County Indiana
George Robinson Newspaper Article
Source: Muncie Evening News, 9/1/1942
They stood in Beech Grove Cemetery in May 1938.
Two tired old men, eyes dimmed, their steps uncertain.
They were the last of the “Boys In Blue” and they were on their
pre-Memorial Day pilgrimage to their burial plot in Beech Grove Cemetery, where
hundreds of their comrades had slept these many years.
George H. Robinson, left, and Edward McClelland - they were all that were left
of Delaware county's hundreds of men who fought in the Civil War.
It was only a
few months later, that Comrade McClelland died, leaving Robinson as the sole
local survivor of the war between the North and the South.
Sunday, George Robinson passed away and today, his body was buried in peaceful
Beech Grove Cemetery.
The service were held at 2 p.m. at the Piepho Chapel.
Spanish-American War veterans served as pallbearers.
The Reverend R. E. Boyle, pastor of Avondale Methodist delivered the
funeral sermon, and patriotic ritualistic rites were conducted by the Sons of
Union Veterans, Eli Thornburg Camp No. 20, and Colonel Samuel Orr Circle, Ladies
of the Grand Army of the Republic.
Then
the cortege moved to the cemetery. There
the Sons of Union Veterans conducted the ritualistic service and an American
Legion firing squad fired the final salute to the last of Delaware County’s
Civil War veterans.
A
bugler sounded “Taps” and George Robinson’s body was lowered into a grave.
Mayor
Ira J. Wilson directed City Hall offices be closed during the funeral as a
tribute to Comrade Robinson.
With
the death of Mr. Robinson, Williams Post No. 78, Grand Army of the Republic
ceases to exist and its charter, now in the custody of the Women’s Relief
Corps, will be returned to the Indiana Department.
Thus
ends the saga of Delaware County’s Union veterans – men who fought for the
preservation of the Republic, just as thousands of Muncie and Delaware County
men again are doing today.
Incidentally,
the above picture was taken by Walter E. Owens, now a staff sergeant in the army
air corps.
*************
Submitted by Alan Teller, PDC
Newspaper Obituary of
George H. Robinson, 8/31/1942
COUNTY’S LAST CIVIL WAR
VETERAN DEAD
George H. Robinson, 96,
Joined Union Army At 15.
George H. Robinson, 96,
last Civil War vet in Delaware County, died at 4 o’clock Sunday morning at the
home of his daughter, Mrs. James L. Zehner, 1503 West Sixth street.
Mr. Robinson had been confined to his home the past three years, but his
illness became serious only six weeks ago.
He was a member of the Avondale Methodist Church.
Ran off to Enlist
Comrade Robinson was born
May 26, 1846, at Concord, N. H. He enlisted with the Union Army light artillery
at Wheeling, W. Va., running off at the age of 15 to do so.
He was captured and endured the hardships of Libby prison for three
months. Freed in an exchange of
prisoners, he again joined the Union forces for the duration of the war.
The veteran saw Lincoln in a depot in Washington and was in Washington
the night the Civil War President was assassinated.
Comrade Robinson’s father and three brothers also fought in the Civil
War.
He is survived by two sons,
Thomas R. of Lancaster, O., William H. of Findley, O., tow daughters, Mrs.
Zehner, and Mrs. James Harris, both of Muncie, five grandchildren, five
great-grandchildren, and two great-great grandchildren.
The
body was removed to the Piepho funeral home where services will be conducted at
2 o’clock Tuesday afternoon. The
Rev. R. E. Boyle will be in charge. Burial
will be in the Beech Grove Cemetery. The
American Legion firing squad will officiate at the cemetery.
*************
Submitted by Alan Teller, PDC
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