Mathew Roberts (b. 1841 -
d. ?)
MSA SC 3520-4358
USCT Soldier and Fled from Slavery, Talbot County, Maryland
Biography:
Mathew Roberts was born in Talbot County, Maryland around 1841 (22 years old at time of enlistment).1 He was owned by Colonel Edward Lloyd, a wealthy property owner with a substantial amount of land in the Miles River Neck area of Talbot County.2 The story of Mathew Roberts comes from the oral testimony of Joseph Sutton and his folk history.3 Roberts was on the verge of being whipped by his overseer, when he decided to run away. Being chased by horses, Roberts ran on foot from Wye to a place called New Design, a farm owned by the Lloyd's. By moving on foot he was able to maneuver in places that horses could not reach, which created distance between them. As he was running, he stumbled upon a creek. Instead of crossing the creek, he created a diversion by throwing his hat as far as he could to the other side giving the appearance that he drowned while trying to cross. This enabled him to conceal himself within a thick growth of wild grapevines. When the slave catchers arrived they noticed his hat floating in the creek and made the assumption that he was dead. Once they left, he ran for the Miles River Bridge, where he would jump aboard a steamer heading for Baltimore. While in Baltimore, he encountered the United States Colored Troops recruiters. He soon became a soldier who would fight in the Civil War.
According to the muster rolls, Roberts served as a private in Company K of the 4th regiment.4 He enlisted on the last day possible for the 4th regiment on September 1, 1863.5 The 4th regiment organized in Baltimore, Maryland from July 15, to September 1, 1863, to serve three years.6 The regiment was drilled and disciplined in Yorktown, Virginia where they also built fortifications.7 The regiment saw action mainly in Virginia during 1864. They were involved in battles at Petersburg, City Point, Chapin's Farm, Dutch Gap, Spring Hill, Jordan's Farm, and Bermuda Hundred.8 The engagements at Spring Hill and Jordan's Farm saw tremendous losses in both killed and wounded soldiers.9 The regiment also saw action in North Carolina, where they participated in campaigns at Fort Fisher and Greensborough.10
During a major battle in Virginia, Roberts was "crippled in the leg."11 The muster rolls show in the “remarks” section that Roberts was “absent wounded, since September 29, 1864.”12 The battle was at Chapin's Farm, Virginia.13 Once the battle was over, the enemy began killing the wounded that were still on the field.14 As Mathew was pleading for the enemy not to kill him or another man, Mr. Louis Trail, from Easton told them not to kill Mathew because they were from the same place. Mr. Trail also wanted Mathew to carry a message to his father. Trail was a southern sympathizer and fought for the Confederacy, which is why he wanted Mathew to carry the message home to his father, since he was wounded. The wound never properly healed as he would not let them amputate his leg and it ultimately killed him several years later. Roberts was sent to a hospital in Fort Monroe, Virginia before being transferred to Hicks General Hospital on November 2, 1865 for his wounds.15
Roberts was sent to a hospital in Fort Monroe, Virginia before being transferred to Hicks General Hospital on November 2, 1865 for his wounds.16 He was discharged from the service on May 11, 1866 at Fort McHenry, Maryland.17 After the war, Roberts appears to have moved back to Talbot County as he wished to be addressed at a post office in Easton.18 Roberts was paid $300, the full amount of compensation for his service and he received his final payment on January 20, 1867.19 Mathew Roberts's death date is unknown, but he was buried at Saint Stephens Church Cemetery in Talbot County, Maryland.20
14. Krech "The Participation of Maryland Blacks in the Civil War: Perspectives from Oral History," 69-71.
17. Ancestry.com. U.S., Colored Troops Military Service Records, Matthew Roberts. Disability for Discharge. Page 328.
18. Ibid.
20. "Matthew Roberts." Find a Grave. Talbot County, Maryland. Saint Stephens Church Cemetery. http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi
Researched and Written by Tanner Sparks, 2012.
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