Career
Lawman, postmaster, and prospector. He was also, the discoverer of the Pinos Altos gold mine with Jacob Snively and James West. Hicks and served with the Arizona Rangers during the American Civil War. Although, Robert Birch, himself, claimed, to have been born in New York, amateur detective, Edward Bonney alleged, that Birch"s father, John "Old Coon" Birch, Senior, stated, in their home, which was nine miles southwest of Marshall, in Clark County, Illinois, that Robert had been born in North Carolina.
Robert Birch was also, alleged, by James Tevis, of being involved in the torture and murder of George Davenport, at his home on July 4, 1845.
He was one, of several members, later, identified by Edward Bonney, who had infiltrated the gang as a counterfeiter. Birch was soon apprehended, in part to information from Bonney, and he soon agreed to testify against the others in exchange for a reduced sentence.
After several court delays, Robert Birch broke out of jail, through outside help or bribery, in Knoxville, Illinois, March 22, 1847. Two years later, Birch followed Snively and James West. Hicks to the New Mexico Territory where they discovered gold deposits on Bear Creek.
A mining camp soon sprang up around the claim, on the site of what is today the ghost town of Pinos Altos, and was originally named Birchville in his honor.
When the Confederate Army invaded New Mexico at the start of the American Civil War, Birch volunteered for the Arizona Rangers. He initially served with Company A under 2nd Lieutenant James Tevis however, according to Tevis, Birch asked to be transferred to Colonel John Ford at the Rio Grande. He died, shortly, after the end of the war.