Lewis, Robert

Robert Lewis's Headstone with flowers left by family

NPS Photo

Quick Facts

Significance:

Company B, 79th Pennsylvania Infantry

Place of Birth:

Pennsylvania

Date of Birth:

October 31, 1829

Place of Death:

Murfreesboro, Tennessee

Date of Death:

January 17, 1863

Place of Burial:

Murfreesboro, TN

Cemetery Name:

Stones River National Cemetery

Robert Lewis was born on October 31, 1829 in Pennsylvania to parents Charles and Ann Lewis. His middle name is "Love." He was baptized on May 23, 1835 at Hartsville Presbyterian Church.

Lewis enlisted into the Union army on August 14, 1861 and mustered in on October 12, 1861 as a private at Kittanning, PA. He served with Company B of the 79th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment. The 79th Pennsylvania had duty in Kentucky and Tennessee, often guarding railroads. They fought at the battle of Perryville in October 1862. After Perryville, they were sent to duty in Mitchellsville, Tennessee to guard the Louisville & Nashville Railroad. They remained there until late December. On December 26, they received orders to march south to Murfreesboro, Tennessee in pursuit of Bragg.

They arrived in Murfreesboro on December 30, 1862 and were positioned near Asbury Lane. At 6 am on December 31, Confederate forces made contact with Union troops on the right flank of the Union army. The 79th PA remained in this position for the majority of the day, waiting to make contact with Confederate soldiers, themselves. 

On January 1, 1863, they took a position guarding the Nashville Pike at its connection with Asbury Lane. They were reportedly under fire for these movements. The 79th Pennsylvania held this position for the remainder of the battle of Stones River. Private Lewis was injured at Stones River.

After the battle, the 79th Pennsylvania was assigned duty in Murfreesboro until June. Private Lewis was sent to a regimental hospital in Murfreesboro to tend to the wounds he had received in the area. He died on January 17, 1863 in the regimental hospital due to those wounds.

Robert Lewis is laid to rest in the Stones River National Cemetery in plot K-4563. 

Tags: stones river national battlefield, stones river national cemetery, american civil war