James A. Robinson was born about 1806 in Indiana County, Pennsylvania, the son of Irwin (or Irvin) Robinson Sr. and Catherine Elliott, both natives of Ireland.

During the American Revolution James’ father was drafted into the British Army. He was wounded in the arm and subsequently was present at the battle of Yorktown and captured by Washington with Cornwallis. After peace was declared he returned to Ireland, married and permanently immigrated to the United States about 1792.

Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg with Robinson’s name identified

James A. Robinson enlisted in the U.S. Army on August 27, 1861 for a period of three years and was mustered in September 9th at Pittsburg, Pennsylvania as a Private in Capt. Dowling’s Company (Co. B), 105th Pennsylvania Infantry, also known as the “Wild Cat Regiment”. At about 55 years of age James was considerably older than the average Civil War soldier. He was described as being 5 feet 4 1/2 inches tall, with a dark complexion, mixed black hair and grey eyes.

Pvt. Robinson accompanied the regiment to Washington, D.C. in October 1861, where they were assigned to the 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 3rd Army Corps, in camp near Alexandria. Leaving camp on March 17, 1862, the regiment took part in the siege of Yorktown and the battles of Williamsburg and Fair Oaks (May 31-June 1). In the latter engagement the troops fought like veterans, holding their position unsupported until nearly surrounded. Three companies were on special duty at the opening of the action and being unable to reach the regiment in its exposed position fought with the 57th Pennsylvania. After a month spent on picket duty the 105th was again in action at Glendale (June 30) and Malvern Hill (July 1), and by the time it reached Harrison’s Landing the ranks were so reduced by wounds and sickness that less than 100 were fit for active duty. While posted along the railroad between Manassas and Warrenton Junction, Cos. B, G and H were captured by the enemy on July 1, 1862, Private Robinson being among those taken prisoner. He was exchanged (paroled) in accordance with General Order No. 191 on November 19, 1862, and rejoined for service on December 27th. He then received a furlough of 30 days on February 22, 1863 and rejoined his regiment at Fortress Monroe, Virginia on March 23rd.

At Chancellorsville in May 1863, the troops were warmly engaged and many won the Kearny Cross. Soon after daylight on May 2, 1863, the regiment crossed the Rappahannock at the United States Ford, were ordered to picket duty, and moved to a field near Chancellorsville on the Plank Road to Orange Court House. At 5 pm they formed a line of battle near the Chancellorsville brick mansion, where they received heavy artillery fire, and remained until daylight. The brigade was then moved to the center where the unit was deployed as skirmishers and remained until afternoon, when ordered to join the reconnaissance. They returned about 9 pm and lay overnight to the rear of the batteries, about one mile south of the Orange Road, while the other brigades of the division were engaged in a night attack.

At daylight on Sunday morning they moved a short distance for the purpose of making an artillery road across a swampy piece of ground. As they finished this, they received sweeping musketry fire from the enemy, which wounded several men. The regiment moved to the rear of the batteries at the brick mansion. They thence moved forward, being the extreme left of the brigade, and charged the woods immediately in front of the batteries, where they were engaged for nearly two hours. The regiment suffered severe loss in killed and wounded, including Col. McKnight who was shot through the head and killed instantly.

Tad Campbell at 105th Pennsylvania Monument at Gettysburg

The unit was relieved in the morning, and took position on the third line until orders were received to march. They arrived back at their camp about 5 pm. The regiment’s losses during the operation were 5 killed, 65 wounded, and 7 missing.

The first two weeks of June were spent at Banks Ford and then the troops started northward.

During the second day of the battle of Gettysburg (July 2, 1863) the 105th Pennsylvania was positioned, along with the rest of Gen. Charles K. Graham’s III Corps brigade along the Emmitsburg Road. It first supported the 63rd Pennsylvania Infantry in the Peach Orchard, and came under sharpshooter fire as soon as it reached its position. It was then placed between the Peach Orchard and the Klingel Farmhouse in support of the rest of the brigade. The regiment suffered under Confederate artillery fire, and took severe casualties when the Confederates from Lt. Gen. James Longstreet’s Corps attacked the Union position. The 105th Pennsylvania at first could not fire upon the Confederates, due to the fact that the soldiers of the 57th Pennsylvania Infantry were in their front. When that regiment moved forward, the 105th filled their place, firing upon the Confederate troops until the 57th Pennsylvania and 114th Pennsylvania fell back in retreat. The unit was the last one of its brigade to leave, making a slow, fighting withdrawal when the Confederates threatened to overwhelm it. It rallied with mixed survivors of its division, and counterattacked late in the day, recapturing (along with soldiers from others units) three abandoned artillery pieces from Battery C, 5th United States Artillery. The regiment then retired to the Union positions on Cemetery Ridge. On the third day of the battle, it was rushed to the center of the Union line during Pickett’s Charge to re-enforce the Vermont Brigade, but, other than taking artillery fire, it was not needed in the repulse of the Confederate assault. The 105th Pennsylvania, fielding 274 men at the start of the battle, lost 19 killed or mortally wounded and 115 wounded or missing.

Tad Campbell at Robinson’s grave

In accordance with Special Order No. 12 from Headquarters of the Army of the Potomac, dated April 15, 1864, James Robinson was detached from the 105th Pennsylvania Infantry as Standard Bearer for the 3rd Army Division’s Ambulance Corps.

He remained on duty with the Ambulance Corps until his company was mustered-out near Washington, D.C. on July 11, 1865, at which time he was absent on furlough.

James A. Robinson resided in Jefferson County, Pennsylvania where he worked as a laborer and lumberman. He married Maria Steir about 1836 and they are known to have had at least ten children. James died about 1877-1881 and was buried with a military headstone in the White Church Cemetery at Hamilton, Pennsylvania. Although his membership in the Grand Army of the Republic (G.A.R.) has not been verified, a G.A.R. flag holder remains next to his headstone.

James’ brother Elliott Robinson (1808-1891) served as a Private in Company D, 54th Pennsylvania Infantry and his brother Irwin Robinson Jr. (c.1805-1883) served in Company C, 2nd Battalion Pennsylvania Infantry and in Company B, 105th Pennsylvania Infantry, with which he was wounded at Petersburg, Virginia.