Robert Pinn

ROBERT ALEXANDER PINN Soldier, teacher and advocate for veterans

Led his company forward after every officer had fallen

Robert Alexander Pinn was born free on 1 March 1843 in Stark County, Ohio, and grew up on a farm in Perry Township. His father had escaped enslavement. When the Civil War began, Pinn wanted to serve the Union, but racial restrictions initially prevented him from enlisting. He nevertheless accompanied the 19th Ohio Volunteer Infantry as a civilian worker and was with the regiment during the Battle of Shiloh in April 1862. [1,2,3]

In 1863, when Black men could finally enlist in Ohio, Pinn joined the regiment that became the 5th United States Colored Infantry. His previous experience helped him earn a sergeant’s appointment in Company I, and he subsequently became its first sergeant. [1]

On 29 September 1864, his regiment attacked the Confederate defences at New Market Heights near Richmond, Virginia, during the operations associated with Chaffin’s Farm. After his company’s officers were killed or wounded, Pinn assumed command and led the men forward. He suffered three wounds during the day’s fighting. The Medal of Honor was issued to him on 6 April 1865. He was one of four men of the 5th United States Colored Infantry honoured for their conduct in the battle. [3,4]

Pinn was discharged on 20 September 1865 and returned to Ohio. He pursued an education at Oberlin and taught school in Illinois and South Carolina. After studying law, he gained admission to the Ohio bar in 1879, becoming Stark County’s first Black lawyer. He also took part in Republican politics, serving as a delegate to the 1891 state convention that nominated William McKinley for governor. [1]

His legal work included helping fellow Civil War veterans obtain pensions. He also worked to have the graves of Union veterans in Massillon Cemetery properly marked, including men buried in paupers’ graves. This concern for his comrades continued the service he had begun as a young soldier. [2]

Pinn died in 1911, aged 67, and was buried in Massillon City Cemetery. His name was later given to the Ohio National Guard armory at Stow, the first armory in the state named for a Black soldier. [1,4]

MEDAL OF HONOR CITATION “Took command of his company after all the officers had been killed or wounded and gallantly led it in battle.” [3]

Sources [1] Ohio National Guard, “Pinn leaves legacy as Medal of Honor recipient.” https://www.ong.ohio.gov/about-us/history/people/18640929_pinn.html [2] News 5 Cleveland, interview with Massillon Museum historian Mandy Altimus Stahl. https://www.news5cleveland.com/news/black-history-month/soldier-from-massillon-prominently-positioned-in-both-civil-war-and-black-history [3] Congressional Medal of Honor Society, “Robert A Pinn.” https://www.cmohs.org/recipients/robert-a-pinn [4] Ohio History Connection, “Robert Pinn.” https://remarkableohio.org/marker/17-76-robert-pinn/