Robert H. Birch
Robert H. Birch | |
|---|---|
An illustration of Robert Birch from the Edward Bonney book The Banditti of the Prairies, Or, The Murderer's Doom!!: A Tale of the Mississippi Valley at 18 years old in 1846 being pursued by the law toward the end of his outlaw period with the Midwestern criminals the "Banditti of the Prairie". | |
| Born | Robert Henry Birch c. 1827 |
| Died | c. 1866 (aged 39) Arizona Territory, present-day Arizona |
| Other names | Robert Birch, Henry Birch, "Three-Fingered" Birch, Robert Harris, R. Harris, R. Haris, Haris, Owin, Haines, Gains, Thomas Brown, Tom Brown, Robert Blecher, R.H. Blecher |
| Occupation(s) | bandit, burglar, prospector, postmaster, soldier |
| Employer(s) | Confederate States government, self-employed |
| Known for | Being an accomplice in the torture-murder of Colonel George Davenport and a member of the notorious Banditti of the Prairie |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance | |
| Service | Confederate Army |
| Years of service | 1862-1865 |
| Unit |
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| Battles / wars | American Civil War |
Robert H. "Three-Fingered" Birch, born Robert Henry Birch (c. 1827 – c. 1866), was a 19th-century American adventurer, criminal, soldier, lawman, postmaster, and prospector. He was a member of the infamous "Banditti of the Prairie" in his youth, whose involvement in the torture-murder of Colonel George Davenport in 1845 led to his turning state's evidence against his co-conspirators. Birch was also the discoverer of the Pinos Altos gold mine with Jacob Snively and James W. Hicks. During the American Civil War, he served in the American Southwest with the Confederate forces of the Arizona Rangers and 2nd Texas Cavalry.