John Robertson was born in Binghamton, New York in
1814. He attended West Point and graduated in 1835. He entered military
service as a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th U. S. Infantry. He was made
1st Lieutenant on October 27, 1839. He saw action during the Mexican
War and was promoted to the rank of Captain.
Robertson entered service during the Civil War as Colonel of the
1st Michigan Infantry. On September 1, 1861, he was made Major of
the 2nd U. S. Infantry. Robertson was promoted to the rank of Colonel
in the U. S. Army on July 1, 1863 for gallant and meritorious service
in the Battle of Gettysburg. He was again promoted for service in
the Wilderness Campaign and at Spottsylvania, Virginia. Robertson
was brevetted Major General of U. S. Volunteers on June 27, 1864
for service in the field. He retired from active service on September
1, 1866. He became Adjutant General of Michigan Volunteers and prepared
a history of Michigan men in the war entitled Michigan in the War.
General Robertson was a member of the Military Order of the Loyal
Legion. He died in Detroit on March 19, 1887.
Born: January 2, 1814
Died: March 19, 1887
Buried: Section N, Lot 19
