Magoffin, a Confederate sympathizer, became increasingly ineffective after the elections of 1861 yielded a supermajority to pro-Union forces in both houses of the Kentucky General Assembly.

[1] Though he had Union sympathies, he was considered a moderate,[2] opposing both fugitive slave laws and the enlistment of black soldiers.

[5] His brother, John McCracken Robinson graduated in the same class and moved to Illinois, where he eventually served two terms as a U.S.

[6] James Robinson studied law under William T. Barry, and was admitted to the bar, beginning his practice in Georgetown, Kentucky.

[8] Robinson again assumed the position as Speaker of the Senate on August 16, 1862, as part of a political deal to effect the resignation of Governor Beriah Magoffin.

[3] Magoffin agreed to resign if the Senate would elect Robinson as Speaker, putting him next in line for the governorship.

[1] In an attempt to protect the citizens of the Commonwealth, Robinson raised taxes in an effort to revive Kentucky's state militia.

[10] He asked the General Assembly to investigate the condition of state schools, especially in war-ravaged areas, and encouraged them to accept the Lincoln administration's offer of land to establish an agricultural and mechanical college.

[10] Robinson proudly noted that by January 1, 1863, a divided Kentucky had still managed to send 44,000 soldiers – fifty-one regiments – to aid the Union cause.