Dated “Detroit Mich / Sept. 15 1868. 4 pp. in ink on lined paper, 5 x 8”. Exhibits fold-lines & slight yellowing, else VG plus. In this letter General Robinson solicits the assistance of “Wm. E. Robinson/ Brooklyn N.Y.” in a attaining a regular army appointment following the retirement of General Joseph Hooker. Text as follows:

“My dear Sir…..The time has arrived when you can do me the greatest possible favor. At our last interview in your house I think authorized me to call on you whenever you serve me & I earnestly ask you to lend me your assistance in obtaining what I most desire. Probably by the time this reaches you there will be a vacancy among the Brigadier Generals of the Army caused by the retirement of Genl. Hooker. The appointment to this vacancy justly belongs to the state of New York, for we have not a single General officer in the Army. Nearly the whole delegation of our state, both in this & the last Congress have asked for my apt. to the first vacancy & I believe the apt. will be given to me if the matter can be properly brought to the notice of the President and urged as it should be.

It is impossible for me to go to Washington & must trust to my friend—Will you do me the favor to take hold of this matter & carry it through? I feel confident you can do it & I assure you I hall ever feel deeply grateful for your efforts in my behalf/ Very Truly Yours/ Jno. Robinson/Col. & Br. Maj. Gen., USA.”

During the Civil War, heavily bearded Robinson was regarded as “the hairiest man in a much bearded army.” A distinguished Mexican War veteran, Robinson took command of the 1^st Michigan Infantry at the outset of the American Civil War, and rose to command a brigade of Kearny’s Third Corps division during the McClellan’s 1862 Peninsula Campaign. He then ascended to 1^st Corps divisional command and distinguished himself in defending Oak Knoll during the first day’s fight at Gettysburg. Later at Spotsylvania, while commanding a 5^th Corps division, Robinson received a knee wound which necessitated the amputation of his left leg. He served thereafter as commander of various military districts. Though he never received the Brigadier’s appointment requested in this letter, he was eventually placed as a major general on the retired list for disabilities from wounds received while exercising divisional command. He later became Lieut. Governor of New [1872-74], served as GAR commander-in-chief, and in 1894 was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry at Spotsylvania

A fine letter, from a solid and distinguished soldier.

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