Point well taken about the log book. But rather than seeing a MOH comment, I was hoping first for a mention of the events at both Fort's Henry and Donelson, and the hopes that therein would be some mention of Robinson's actions on these dates.

Regarding the delays often seen between deeds of heroism and the awarding of the MOH, I agree with you that many delays took place for years. In the case of the first dozen men I am writing about, the average time delay was 29.9 years. And two had died in the interim.

However, Charles Robinson's case is different. The very first General Order announcing the awarding of naval Medals of Honor was GO #11 of 3 April 1863, just 13 months after the battles at the above mentioned forts, and only 4 months after the Yazoo Expedition.

Robinson's Yazoo activities are denoted in this first GO, as with fellow shipmates Pierre Leon, Peter Cotton and John McDonald. However the GO simlpy lists their ship, as being the Baron de Kalb and that they got the medal. No idication of reasons were given.

In a news release Gideon Welles, Secretary of the Navy gave to the NY Times on the same day as the GO, he also included the above Baron de Kalb names. There he says the awards were on account of... "Mentioned by their commanding officer as having distinguished themselves in various actions."

Now here is a curious twist.

The release says Peter Cotton's MOH was for deKalb service.

Was there other service also recognized by yet another MOH.????

Last year the Naval Museum in DC released to me a list of 71 MOH's that had been turned over to them many years earlier by the navy department. Medals that were either not handed out or not claimed for whatever reason. Among them is one to Peter Cotton. And the engraving on it is MOST INTERESTING.

According to the released list the medal is inscribed... "Personal Valor, Peter Cotton, Coxswain,USS ST LOUIS, Ft. Donelson, Feb 6 & 14, 1862."

Fort Henry was on the 6th and is not mentioned on the medal.

But the point remains that there is a medal in existence that says Cotton's MOH was for action at the Forts, or at least one of them.

The exact situation with Charles Robinson. His recently surfaced medal has the same inscription above with the addition of Fort Henry being mentioned as well.

So..do we have a situation here were not one but TWO more double recipients are still awaiting proper recognition in the history of the MOH?

Sorry for being so long winded...

cheers

Bart