From NKAA, Notable Kentucky African Americans Database (PIONEERS & PATRIOTS: Anderson County Military Servicemen, Revolutionary War - WWI)

Washington "Wash" Robinson was born a slave in Anderson County about 1821. He remained a slave into adulthood; President Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation only freed slaves in states openly hostile toward the Union. Late in the war, however, the government called for the enlistment of colored regiments, and all who answered the call were granted immediate freedom.

Robinson therefore chose to become a soldier and made his way to Camp Nelson to enlist and on July 26, 1864 was enrolled as a private in Company G of the 12th U.S. Colored Heavy Artillery Regiment. At the time of his enlistment, Washington gave oath that he was born about 1821 in what is now Anderson County, KY.

The 12th regiment saw no reported action during the war, serving garrison duty at various points in Central Kentucky until April 24, 1866, when it discharged and mustered from Federal service.