DOB:  August 5, 1840 DOD:  November 30, 1915 Age at Enlistment: 20 Date of Enlistment:  May 9,1861 Place of Enlistment:  Franklin, TN Rank at Enlistment:  Private Rank at Discharge:  Private Casualty:  He was captured at Perryville on October 8, 1862, probably serving as a nurse.  He was shot through the left arm and body at the Battle of Missionary Ridge on November 25, 1863.  Comments:  Robert was born and raised in Williamson County.  According to the 1850 Census he lived in District 8 of Williamson County which is directly north of Franklin.  By the 1860 Census he is a law student, just before enlisting in the Williamson Grays.  He stayed with the regiment until he was captured at Perryville, KY on October 8, 1862.  He never states the circumstances of his capture but several 1st Tennessee were left to care for the large amount of wounded casualties they suffered during the fighting.  He was paroled following his capture but no record of when he was officially exchanged.  On September 3, 1863, his service record states he is joining the Navy but it appears nothing ever came of this.  By his own account he states the fought at Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge before receiving a severe wound at the latter battle.  On November 25, 1863, the 1st Tennessee was part of a counterattack against the Federals attacking Missionary Ridge.  Robert states on his pension: “Then the Battle of Missionary Ridge I received a wound through my left shoulder, arm, and body all passing through my body.  The shot that hit me came from my left.  I was at an aim my left shoulder was completely torn in too [two] the ball striking the arm then through the body.” He was in the hospital for nearly a year and states he rejoined the army after the failed 1864 Tennessee Campaign.  Robert went with the army to the Carolinas.  He was 1 of 7 to surrender with Johnston at Greenboro, N.C. on April 26, 1865.  Even though he surrendered he for some reason took the Oath of Allegiance again in Nashville on June 10, 1865.   His oath papers describe him as Complexion: Fair, Hair: Light, Eyes: Blue, Height: 5'8".  Interesting note, Robert had two brothers fight in the Civil War.  His brother Gideon was killed in January 1863 with the Cavalry.  His brother James served in the 55th Tennessee later consolidated with the 44th Tennessee.  James desserted in 1863 and took the the Oath of Allegiance.  Following the war he married Marianne Sims on December 13, 1871.  The two lived in a house where the modern day Peoples Church stands at the corner of Mack Hatcher and Hwy 96.  The couple never had children.  Robert resumed his law practice and at one point was in a law firm with Henry Howe Cook of the company called Cook & Richardson.  He retired from Law about 1911 and filed for a pension stating his only income was from renters.  His house is described as large but in bad disrepair.  Robert was a charter member of the James McEwen Bivouac of the United Confederate Veterans and very active in reunions.  He died of Pelvic Cancer in 1915 and is buried in Section D of Mount Hope Cemetery in Franklin. 

Group shot of some of the Williamson Grays who served the entire war and surrendered in 1865.  Robert is sitting on the left (From the Confederate Veteran Magazine).

Robert’s grave at Mount Hope Cemetery