The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-12-03

coIone: W. I. robins, neeora.


In presenting the name Of Colonel ".
r. Robins 10 the General Assembly OF
Virginia for the Office OF Secretary OF
the Commonwealth. his friends desire 10
call attention briefly 10 the record OF
his life lie was born i'm the county or
Gloucester on the 22d Of November
$50. lie was educated al the virginia
Military Institute and Columbian COL
lege. and studied law In 1913 lnheliins
a large estate, he chose the business or
farming rather than the profession ol
law lie was at Harper's Ferry DURING
the John Brown raid a. an aide on the
STAFF Of General William h. Talidtefro'
with the rank Of major A. soon as wal
listed as a private IN the Lee Rangers.
when the Ninth Virginia Cavalry known
throughout the war as THE Bloody
Ninth" was organized, he was mahr
sergeant major. In April 1852, he was
appointed adJutant OF the regiment lie
commanded the advance guard OF stuart $
famous raid around McClelland. IN which
his conduct was marked by such Rood
judgment and daring courage as 20 elicit
the highest commendation from General
Stuart in his report to General Lee
lie participated in all The battles
around Richmond, and was specially
recommended TO PRESIDENT DAVIS TOT pro
motion when General W. II. +. Lee
was made briga Iier- general, I'm the lali
of is62 he made Robins his chief of stan
In May. 1858. General stuart used tie
following language: i cheerfully recon-
mend the gallantry and meritOrious SER
vices OF Captain Robins. have often
witnessed his dashing conduct Oh the
field .u which service he excels. On
another I'D General W. II. +. Lee,
In recommending him Tor promotion.
saws: He Is an officer or merit, am
has distinguished himself On the Held.
He entered the army in the commence
I ment of the war as a ptNtle, anu na'
risen 10 his present position hy his gal
a.. In
duty" On December the 24th lso-, wneh
the war had been going on ;or Just
little more than eighteen hon'-i5, anu
General Lee had been ia command OF
the Army of Northern virginia nut
little more than six months, he hotlccu
the services OF Colonel Robins n recon-
mending him 10 the President Tor pro-
motion In the following No ds; Cap
tain Robins is an o'icer OF mclit anu
gallantry, and has rend1 cred roOc ser
vice" Such words from the colnnander
OF a great army I'm behalf OF shbcrdl-
nate are rarely spoken. In August, 1863,
ne was made liuetenalt-colOnrl. and IN
1854 colonel OF the Twenty-fosrth Nir-
ginla Cavalry. He participated IN all
the PRINCIPAL battles OF m. Amy OF
Northern Virginia, and was marked for
his courage and SIKH on every iitll. lie
was wounded four lines, a d mad eight
horses killed under hin. he commanded
the rear guard OF the army il It's retreat
through Richmond, and sUrrepd'~ed at
ArnomattOX Courthouse. When the war
was over he returned to his 6ismantled
home. in the county or Gloucester, and
with his wife and little children, has
been struggling 10 earn his bread with
Inc same courage and uncomplaining
srlrit which characterized him as a soil
der He has been active in all the po-
litical campaigns OF Virginia since the
var and has served his people I'm every
nossihIe way in his power. Having served
several years as clerk In the office OF
the Secretary OF the Commonwealth. he
is acquainted with the duties OF the
Is ~lch a record as Colonel Robins has
made to he forgotten. and viii the pco-
pie OF Virginia fail TO recoenize such
unpensioned heroes when the opportunity
presents itself TO show 10 the young
men OF the country that patriotism and
yalor are entitled 10 reward!