Robert Graham first enrolled in Capt. John W. Brown's "Sabine Greys" on September 1, 1861 at Henderson, Rusk County. This company became Company I of the 7th Texas Infantry Regiment on November 10, at which time Graham was appointed regimental Sergeant Major. He served in that capacity until the 7th Texas was captured at Fort Donelson. Graham somehow managed to avoid capture and returned to Texas, where he later joined the 19th Tx Inf.