Robert Cross enlisted in the 48th Virginia Infantry in June 1861 and fought in the beginning under General "Stonewall" Jackson in the Army of Northern Virginia, CSA. He was elected 3rd Lt. on April 21, 1862 and on February 14, 1863, was promoted to 1st Lt. Robert Cross served in several large battles and was Wounded in Action (WIA) at the Battle of Cedar Run (also know as Cedar Mountain) on August 9, 1862. He was also WIA at Culp's Hill on July 2, 1863, during the Battle of Gettysburg. He was hospitalized for a very long period of time. Robert Cross was discharged from the Army of the Confederate States of America on February 22, 1865. After the war between the states Robert became a Methodist Minister.