President Biden’s Ancestral Link to Abraham Lincoln Revealed: A Story of Forgiveness and Redemption

A late-night brawl during the Civil War connects President Biden’s great-great-grandfather to President Lincoln, shedding light on a little-known chapter in the Biden family history.

President Biden’s Oval Office decor includes a portrait and a bust of Abraham Lincoln, but his connection to the 16th president runs deeper than mere admiration. It dates back to a fateful night during the Civil War, when a brawl between two Union Army civilian employees led to the imprisonment of Biden’s great-great-grandfather, Moses J. Robinette. This untold story intertwines the histories of two American presidents, revealing a tale of forgiveness and redemption that has remained hidden for 160 years.

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The Turbulent Times of Moses J. Robinette

In 1861, Moses J. Robinette was a 42-year-old hotel owner in Grafton, Virginia. As tensions rose and Virginia’s western counties formed the new state of West Virginia, Robinette found himself caught in the crossfire of the conflict. Union troops occupied Grafton, and his hotel was allegedly destroyed by Union soldiers. Seeking safety for his family, Robinette left Virginia and returned to his extended family in Maryland.

A Civilian Surgeon in the Army

In late 1862 or early 1863, Robinette was hired as a civilian veterinary surgeon by the U.S. Army Quartermaster’s Department. Assigned to the Army of the Potomac’s reserve artillery, his role was to care for the horses and mules that pulled ammunition wagons. Despite lacking formal medical training, Robinette’s appointment was not uncommon during the Civil War when veterinary colleges were scarce.

The Brawl That Changed Everything

On the evening of March 21, 1864, a fight broke out in a mess tent between Robinette and John J. Alexander, a brigade wagon master. The altercation escalated, and Robinette drew his pocketknife, leaving Alexander with multiple cuts. Robinette was arrested and charged with attempted murder, facing a military trial for his actions.

The Trial and Imprisonment

Robinette’s trial took place nearly a month after the brawl. Witnesses described him as a lively and joking individual, but the military judges were not convinced by his claims of self-defense. Found guilty on all counts except “attempt to kill,” Robinette was sentenced to two years of hard labor. He was sent to the Dry Tortugas islands near Key West, Florida, where he joined a growing population of over 700 prisoners in Fort Jefferson, a military prison dubbed “American Siberia.”

A Plea for Mercy

Three Army officers who knew Robinette petitioned President Lincoln to overturn his conviction. They argued that his sentence was excessively harsh for defending himself against a larger and stronger opponent in the heat of the moment. They also highlighted Robinette’s unwavering support for the Union and his opposition to those seeking to destroy the government. The plea eventually reached Lincoln’s desk, prompting him to review the trial transcripts and issue a pardon for the unexecuted part of Robinette’s punishment.

Conclusion: The story of Moses J. Robinette, President Biden’s great-great-grandfather, and his connection to President Lincoln sheds light on a little-known chapter in the Biden family history. It serves as a reminder of the countless untold stories from the Civil War era, waiting to be discovered and shared. This tale of forgiveness and redemption resonates across the centuries, reminding us of the power of compassion and the enduring legacy of our nation’s leaders.