Binkley, Robert W. Troy Times 1862 Sutlers Clerk 71^{st OVI}

The subject of this notice was born in Centerville, Ohio, September 5, 1830. Most of his life has been passed in this village. His amiability and other personal qualities need not be introduced here for these facts are more deeply written in the memories of those who knew him best. More than a year since he became connected with the 71st Reg. O. V. I. as Sutler's clerk.--On the removal of that regiment to the seat of war, he went in advance of the sutler and continued up to the 5th of April 1862, when the memorable battle of Pittsburg Landing was fought. Though his relation to the army was not such as demanded his presence with the columns which received the deadly thrusts of maddened rebels, but when step by step the enemy was pressing the Federal forces backward toward the river, he bade the sutler shop adieu and setting gun and ran and took his place with our noble soldier boys in contesting the ground sought by the free. About 4 o'clock P.M. he was taken prisoner and marched to Corinth. Thence he was taken by rail to Memphis, thence to Jackson, Miss. from there to Mobile, Alabama. Subsequently he was removed by steamboat to Montgomery of the same state. There he remained several weeks, when it is said he was paroled after which he was removed to Chattanooga, Tenn. Here a considerable number of his fellow prisoners were exchanged--but before all had been exchanged the Federal commander declined to receive any more, by which he was compelled to drink the bitter cup of imprisonment longer. At Chattanooga, Tenn. he remained three days when he was taken to Griffin, Ga. where he remained three weeks receiving kind treatment. From thence he was removed to Macon, Ga. For one who was captured and continued with him in all his removals in Dixie we learn he endured all the hardships and privations as well if not better than others. His genial spirit never forsook him--not even to the last. His health was unbroken until within a week of his disease. When attacked with Asthma and compelled to go to the hospital he remarked to his fellow prisoners, "Boys, I have to die, but others have died here and I must go the same way." It is said he suffered but little and was ill but a few days. His last days were cheered in reading the New Testament. Amid the members of his mess (originally numbering twenty) on the 16th day of September, 1862 after being a prisoner five months and ten days, he bade adieu to earth without a struggle. Nearby the scene of his imprisonment he rests, while a board, on which his name is carved by his fellow prisoners, will tell where he lies. This testimony is borne to his memory: "The 1,300 prisoners, all knew him and all loved him--he had no enemy--and every man in our mess treated him with the affection of a brother." Long months of anxiety have come to the old home since Bob was made a prisoner of war. Then came an end of suspense in learning he had passed away. Any information was relief--but then came the anxiety of friends how did he die, amid what circumstances? The foregoing facts have been procured and are submitted in answer to the many inquiries that are made.