Thomas Rodman Robeson was born in New Bedford, November 7, 1840. He was the son of Thomas Rodman and Sybil (Washburn) Robeson. Through his mother he was descended of Roger Williams. His father was long engaged in the shipping business, and died August 18,
1848. He was a son of Andrew Robeson, a prominent merchant and successful manufacturer of New Bedford. Andrew Robeson established, under many discouragements and difficulties, the
print-works which bore his name in Fall River, the first establishment of its kind in the State, and made the business a very prosperous one. The Robeson family is of Scotch origin, and a portion of it resided in Germantown, Pennsylvania, for many years.
When 13 years old, Robeson was sent to the school of Mr. Thomas Prentiss Allen, at Sterling, in Worcester County, and remained under his instruction 2 years. Lieutenant Arthue Dehon was one
of his schoolmates in Sterling. His mother having removed to Brookline in 1854, he was next put under the instruction of Mr. William P. Atkinson, in that town, and was by him fitted for college, except that, immediately before entering college, he studied for about 2 months, during Mr. Atkinson's absence in Europe, under the direction of Mr. Francis Marion Tower, at Boston. He entered Havard College in 1857. He did not take high rank as a scholar, either at school or in college; but there, as in after life, he was in all things, manly, generous, and honorable, won the respect and esteem of all his aquaintances, and made many friends. He took much interest in the College societies, and was a member of the Institute, and the Porcellian and Hasty Pudding Clubs.
In the spring before his Class graduated he made up his mind that it was best that he should prepare himself for the military service of his country, feeling that he was needed there, and
believing that he could be more useful as a soldier than in any other position in life. He obtained the consent of his relatives, and of the Faculty of the college, who at the next Commencement
conferred upon him, in his absence, the Bachelor's degree; and on April 25, 1861, he went down to Fort Independence to drill with the Fourth Battalion. His classmates Hallowell and Holmes went to Fort Independence at the same time. He soon enlisted in the 2d Regiment of Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, which was then being recruited by Colonel George H. Gordon, and was commissioned as 2d Lieutenant in that regiment, May 28, 1861. His regiment was in camp at Camp Andrew, un West Roxbury, until Jult 8th, when it received marching orders. Lieutenant Robeson had been assigned to Company F, of which Charles R. Mudge was Captain and Robert G. Shaw 1st Lieutenant, and performed his duties in camp with fidelity and success. He was much praised for his readiness and determination in suppressing some acts of insubordination on one occasion very soon after his arrival.
On July 8th the 2d started for Virginia, after some interesting presentations of flags at Camp Andrew and an enthusiastic reception in Boston. Another cordial reception greeted them in New York. They were first stationed at Martinsburg, Virginia, under the command of Major-General Patterson. They were afterwards stationed for more than a month at Harper's Ferry, and
subsequently at Darnestown. At the latter place, on September 12, 1861, Lt. Robeson, with Lt. Howard, having been selected for the purpose from four officers of the regiment by examination, was detached for signal duty, and ordered to the signal camp at Georgetown, D.C. He wrote home on September 14th:
...He was commissioned 1st Lieutenant, November 30, 1861, and was detailed on December 23d, with two other signal officers, to go with General Burnside's expedition, and joined General Burnside's command at Annapolis. Here he found a good deal of work and responsibility. He and his two associates, Lieutenant's Fricker and Foster, had to instruct 20 other officers from the different regiments in the signal system, having but a short time in which to teach them and to take charge of all the singalling for the expedition.
Early in January, 1862, General Burnside's expedition set sail for Hatteras Inlet. Much difficulty was experienced by all the fleet in passing through the Inlet, and the schooner Colonel Satterly, in which Lieutenant Robeson was embarked, met with more troubles than most of the other vessels of the fleet. In a letter written on board he says, on January 22d:
The Colonel Satterly arrived at Hatteras, and reported to General Burnside on January 28th, and found the whole fleet there, except 2 vessels which were lost.
He was now quartered upon the Philadelphia, the flagship of Commodore Goldsborough, as signal officer. He went on board the gunboat Southfield on February 6th, Commodore Goldsborough having transferred his flag to that vessel for the attack on Roanoke Island. He writes as follows on February 9th, after the battle of Roanoke Island, his first engagement:
....Soon after this, Robeson's eyes being much inflamed, he was compelled to leave the signal service and rejoin his regiment in Virginia. The Second gad been employed, meantime, in severe
guard and picket duty and reconnoissances, and during its winter encampment near Frederick had prefected itself in drill and discipline to a remarkable degree; and in the spring had taken part in movements upon Winchester and Jackson, at which latter place it was engaged with the enemy. The following extracts from his letters give some account of his earlier experiences after
returning to his regiment:
"The Rebels were known to be at Mount Jackson, abotu 8 miles off, and we were in great hopes that they would make a stand there. We arrived there about 10 without seeing any signs of the Rebels except their old camps and half a dozen burning bridges and any quantity of railroad cars and engines. We halted at Mount Jackson about 2 hours, when the scouts brought it word that Jackson was preparing to make a stand about 5 miles on. So General Shields's division started on the main road, and our brigade was sent round to the right to try and outflank him....Jackson saw immediately what we were about, and left, and that is the last that has been seen of him, while we, after marching 21 miles through woods and swamps and rivers and everything you can imagine, finally halted at half past nine in the evening, most of the officers with not even an overcoat or blanket, as none of the ambulances could follow us over the road we had been. Fortunately it was a warm night, and we got along pretty well."
"Monday, May 8. I have been in bed for nearly two weeks, and never had such a doleful time in my life. Our regiment moved on a week ago last Friday, and I have hardly seen a person, except
my servant, since. To-day my servant tells me that they moved on again last night and expect to meet Jackson to-day. If they should, I do not know what I should do. Just think of people asking you about a battle your regiment was in, and having to tell them you were ill at the time. I am rather better to-day, I think, though still very weak, and hope to join my regiment soon, though it will be so far off that I shall have a good deal of difficulty in doing so."
He was soon well and discharging his duties again. In a few days General Banks's retreat commenced. Lt. Robeson describes the part taken by his company in this, in a letter written at Williamsport on May 27, 1862:
"The next morning we were ordered back to our regiment. When we got to Strasburg we found the whole division had left an hour before for Winchester. After marching 2 hours as hard as we
could, we caught up with them. Everything was in the greatest confusion. The train was all mixed up with the army, and it seemed impossible that we could ever get to Winchester. We marched along in this way until 3 o'clock....Colonel Gordon then ordered his brigade back, as the Rebels were cutting off our wagons in large numbers. We marched 3 miles, our regiment in front, and drove the enemy some distance. At dark, the brigade, except our regiment and a few cavalry, were went on. The Rebels then attacked us with their cavalry and artillery. We resisted them for an hour, formed in squares, and drove back three charges of cavalry. During that time our own cavalry got frightened, and charged our company and two others, who were resting in the rear.
Our men of course thought they were the Rebels, as it was very dark, and for a few minutes there was great confusion. One of our men was killed and two wounded. Harry Russell was a good
deal hurt by a horse falling on him, and I was bruised and had my coat torn to pieces in the same way. Five men of the two companies that were with us (Captain Cary's and Captain Mudge's)
were also wounded. The regiment soon after began to retreat slowly towards Winchester, fighting all the way. We got there at one o'clock Sunday morning....Our regiment and Colonel Gordon
saved the whole division on Saturday, and everybody here acknowledges it. Our loss that night was about 25 killed and wounded.
"The pickets were firing all night, and at daylight they were drawn in, and soon after the Rebels appeared. Our regiment had the right of the right wing. We marched about a quarter of a mile to the right, and took our position behind a wall just below one of the Rebel batteries. The other brigade took the left, leaving us without any centre or reserve. We lay behind the wall for an hour and a half, our 3 right companies skirmishing all the time. Then the 2 regiments on the left of our brigade were ordered to the right....They marched by us overt a hill that was on our right, fired one volley, and the next thing we saw, they were running in all directions. Colonel Adrews then gave the order for us to retreat. We formed ingood order and marched down towards the town at quick time amid the most tremendous fire that I ever imagined. Our men behaved splendidly, obeying every command, while they were being shot down by the dozen. When we got into the streets of Winchester, we halted and formed again, and marched out of town by the double-quick, receiving a very heavy fire from behind at every cross-street and out of the houses.
"The rebels kept up a sharp pursuit for about 3 miles, and it seemed impossible that we should get off. We arrived at Martinsburg at three, a distance of 25 miles, and got here at 9 in the evening, having marched 60 miles in 2 days, without one mouthful to eat, or a bit of sleep."
In July the 2d Regiment became a part of the forces under the command of Major-General Pope, and on August 6th moved forward on the disastrous campaign which was directed by that general. On the day before the battle of Cedar Mountain Lt. Robeson wrote as follows, from the camp bear Culpeper, of the discomforts from which his men suffered on this march:
At Cedar Mountain he was in his place, and encountered with his comrades the perils which thinned the ranks of his regiment so sadly on that fatal day. He was shot through his right wrist in
this battle, and was sent home on furlough for a time. While at home he received a commission as captain, bearing date August 10th, vice Williams, killed at Cedar Mountain. He
returned before his wound was fully healed, and rejoined his regiment before the battle of Antietam, in which he took part, rendering good service. He was eminently successful in keeping
his men steady in action. His tall, strong, and manly form and commading presence aided his brave spirit in this. His sword and scabbard bear the marks of 3 bullets which struck them at
Antietam.
During the following winter his regiment was in winter quarters in different places, and on April 27th broke camp and set out with the rest of the army on the Chancellorsville campaign. He
wrote home as follows, immediately after the battle of Chancellorsville:
On the night of the day after this letter was written the regiment was ordered to recross the river, and returned to Stafford Court House, where it had been before encamped. Next came the expedition to Beverly Ford. Of this he wrote on June 19th from Leesburg, Va.:
On May 26th the 2d Massachusetts crossed the Potomac on pontoons and arrived at Frederick, Maryland, on May 28th. Here General Meade took command of the army. The 2d became engaged in the battle of Gettysburg on July 2d. Captain Robeson was fatally wounded on the morning of Friday, July 3d, the last day of the battle. From an early hour on that morning his
company (Company E) had been posted as skirmishers in advance of the regiment, and had been lying concealed behind stones and logs in an open field. One of this men was shot in the leg
while they were thus posted, and several times cried out asking to be carried to the rear. The enemy were close in front, in the edge of a wood, in strong force, and it was very perilous to go
forward to remove the wounded man. But Captain Robeson rose and went himself, took the man up, and carried him to the rear, and then returned to his place. At about 6 o'clock the regiment
was ordered to advance. The other companies, charging forward at the double-quick, had just come up to Captain Robeson's company, which was still posted in front, and he was advancing with them, when he was hit by a conical ball, which shattered the upper part of the bone of his right thigh, and he fell. He was taken to the rear at once, and removed to a hospital tent of the 12th Corps, with other wounded officers of the regiment.
His wound was found to be so serious that his life could not be saved, but everything that could be done for his comfort was done by friendly hands. On Saturday, Dr. Heath, the Assistant Surgeon of the regiment, finding him evidently sinking, told him that he feared he would not recover. He said, "You must be mistaken. I am free of pain, and feel stronger than yesterday." About an hour afterwards, the surgeon being again at his bedside, he said, "Well, I suppose I must go. It is hard for me to die, with so many bright prospects before me. I feel the cause has been just, and I have tried to know and do my duty." He told the surgeon his wishes concerning the settlement of his affairs, and seemed calm and free from pain. On Monday morning, July 6th, at about 8 o'clock, he died very peacefully.
His body was brought home and was buried July 13th at New Bedford. Rev. William J. Potter conducted the funeral services, and Lieutenant-Colonel H.S. Russell, Captain J.I. Grafton,
Captain J.L. Bullard, and Ogden Codman acted as pall-bearers.
Among the brave and tried officers of his noble regiment Captain Robeson held no inferior place. His comrades found him a cheerful and pleasant companion, an honorable gentleman, and a faithful and accomplished soldier. His men loved him, and always relied upon him with that confidence which is in any officer the unfailing test of merit.
"Since I wrote to you I have been detached from my regiment for signal duty. There have been two officers taken from each regiment in our division (or rather from those
regiments that had officers of enough education for the purpose). We are under Major Myer of the Regular Army. I do not know how I shall like it yet, but that will not make much difference,
as I cannot help myself. We have to go through a pretty severe examination before we are admitted. There were four officers examined from our regiment, and Howard and myself were
admitted. The examination was mainly in spelling and etymology, neither of which are particularly my forte, as you know, but somehow or other I slipped in. Every one says it is a good
thing for us; and then, if we do well, we shall perhaps be admitted into the Regular Army. We each have a horse and two men, besides a servant, and shall very probably get the pay of a
cavalry officer. We are in camp at Georgetown, and study 6 hours a day. As soon as we know enough, we shall be sent out, two together, all over the country, in every direction. We have to
take an oath not to reveal anything we learn, and as soon as we have all learned the code perfectly, it is to be destroyed. It will be a very independent life, and we shall feel ourselves
pretty important, as we shall know everything that is going on..."
"We have left Fortress Monroe with a fair wind, and every prospect of reaching Hatteras in 24 hours; but unfortunately the wind changed, and we have been knocking
round at sea ever since. We have had two very severe gales, and there is every prospect of another....I have had a pretty good time, and if it had not been for my anxiety to reach the fleet,
should have enjoyed myself very much..."
"We went on board the Southfield last Thursday morning at daylight, and expected to be within gunshot in about an hour, as we were only about 10 miles from Roanoke Island. But it came on to rain, and we were obliged to anchor and lie by all night. Friday morning it was foggy, but about 10 it cleared off, and we got under way. In about half an hour we were in full sight of everything....We fired our first shot at about 11, and at half past the engagement commenced. Our boat was the flagboat and led the way, and my position, as signal officer, was on top. For the first half-hour I felt pretty queer, I can tell you, with the shells bursting around us in every direction. But after that I did not mind it much, and sent and read my messages almost as
well as I ever could; although it was pretty difficult to keep my eyes on the glass when a shot struck very near. The fight lasted, without any intermission, until dark; and then there was no sign of the Rebels giving in, although we knew that two of their unboats were disabled, and thought the fort must be very much injured, as we had seen hundreds of shells burst in it. Some
of the troops were landed late in the afternoon, and the rest during the night. They encamped in the same place where they landed, and early in the morning commenced their march towards the fort. About half-way to the fort they encountered a small battery, and, after a severe fight of 2 hours, succeeded in taking it. After that, the enemy gave up entirely, and retreated to their largest camp at the head of the island, where all who could not get boats to escape surrendered to General Foster about 5 in the afternoon. After we heard that the army were all landed, we set to work to try and clear the channel, but the forts opened upon us again and kept up their firing until the army had taken the battery on shore. We have but ine gunboat that has not received a shot; some received as many as 8 or 10. We had several holes through us; for as we carried the flag and were in the advance most of the time, we were the principal mark for them, and I think we were very lucky in getting off so well. I had one round shot come within 11 inches of me by actual measurements, and hundreds from 6 feet to a boat's length."
"I hope you have received the letter I wrote yesterday, but I suppose you would like to have a more particular account of our fight. I will begin from last Friday afternoon.
Our company, as you know, was guarding a railroad bridge about 3 miles from Strasburg. At a little after 5 o'clock, an orderly came down to us and said that the company guarding the bridge
above us had been attacked by the enemy, and that a large body of them were advancing on us. We got our company in line immediately, and took the best position we could find. After waiting about an hour, a regiment came up from Strasburg and reinfdorced the company above us. We then struck our tents and kept a strong guard all night.
"We have been having two days' very hard marching, not so much on account of the length of the marches as the heat, which has been tremendous. It makes the marches very
disagreeable, for you have literally to drive the men along, often till they drop. Day before yesterday's march, I brought in only about 18 out of 60, and the other companies were in the
same proportion. It is hard work, especially when it happens to be your turn to go on guard at the end of the march....We have just had 42 recruits arrive here this morning. They looked so hot and miserable, I could not help pitying them."
"....We left Stafford Court House a week ago yesterday and marched to Kelley's Ford, and thence down the river to this point, which is about 5 miles from Fredericksburg. We arrived here last Wednesday, and have been fighting ever since, night and day. We have lost anout 150 men, 1 officer killed and 7 wounded. I am all right, with my usual hole through my blouse. I do not know how we are going to come out, but hope for the best. We were doing splendidly up to Saturday afternoon, when the whole 11th Corps broke and ran. I have a sword which was surrendered to me Sunday morning, which I shall send home when I get a chance. Our Corps has done splendidly, and has driven the Rebels every time we have met them. Since we have been fighting our regiment has taken over 200 prisoners."
"It is some time since I have had an opportunity of writing to you, for we have been on the march for 2 weeks. A week ago last Saturday we were detached with one other regiment of our corps, to go over the river with the cavalry. In the first 24 hours we marched 32 miles. Tuesday morning we crossed the Rappahannock at Beverly Ford, where all the Rebel cavalry were massed. We did not have much difficulty in crossing, but we did not get far before they came down on us in force, and drove our cavalry in every direction. They were not prepared, however, for our rifles, and soon found they had better leave. It was first-rate fun, a regular North Carolina fight. We were skirmishing with them all day, and only lost 4 men. At one time 7
battalions of cavalry came up in front of my company, which was all deployed as skirmishers. I thought of course we should all be taken, but I did not know what a joke cavalry fighting was. I
let them come up to within a hundred yards, and then gave them a volley which dropped a lot of them, and away they went, except one battalion, which dismounted and deployed on foot. I took
a horse and two rifles....We are entirely isolated here, and have not had a mail or newspaper for a week, or a change of clothes or a blanket for more than two."
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