(from the archived Roots of Roane Web site)

Asa Roberts (1835) enlisted as a private in Captain Almon‘s Company I, 31st Regiment IL Volunteers on 15 Aug 1861 for 3 years. He was discharged 25 July 1862 at Cairo, IL, for “chronic pericarditis”.

Benjamin Franklin Roberts (1832) enlisted 1862 in Company B of the 5th Regiment of TN Infantry, USA, commanded by Freemorton Young. Promoted to Second Lieutenant 4 Aug 1862. He received an honorable discharge at Nashville, TN on 30 March 1865. Buried in the Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery in old Wheat community (Oak Ridge). Married first, Sarah Jane Brashears in 1854, a distant cousin. Married secondly, Caroline Gardner in 1871.

Charles Washington Roberts (1837) fought with the Union Army; enrolled at Kingston on 9 Aug 1851 as a private in Capt. Levi Pickering‘s Company E, 4th Regiment, TN Infantry. He was captured by the enemy, but paroled as a prisoner of war at McMinnville, TN on 3 Oct 1863. He was then re-assigned to Company I, 1st TN Inf. Discharged 2 Aug 1865.

Edward Carrol Roberts (1839) enrolled in Company H 3rd Regiment, TN Inf. Vol. on 10 Feb 1862 at Flat Lick, KY. He was given a commission as Lieutenant of the same company. He served under his brother, Capt. James G. Roberts. Edward was wounded and honorably discharged 23 Feb 1865 at Nashville. Wife, Harriet Cofer.

Houston Roberts (1820) enlisted in the Union Army at Bethel, TN, on 18 Sep 1862. He served as a Sergeant in Company E (later G) in the 6th Volunteer Cavalry under Capt. Elijah Roberts (no relation). Injured his right index finger which was taken off at the first joint. Honorable discharge at Pulaski, TN on 26 July 1865. Wife – Permelia E. Brashears. Sgt Houston Roberts, Co. E, 6 Tenn Cav (no dates) is buried near Isaac E. Brashears and his family in the Morgan Cemetery, which is on the original land grant of Isaac Brashears, the Patriarch.

James Gardner Roberts (1828) served almost 4 full years in the Union Army. He enrolled 9 Aug 1861 in Company G., 1st TN Infantry as a private. He was promoted to 1st Lt. in Company H, 3rd TN Infantry Volunteers, and was promoted to Captain of Company H., 3rd TN, Inf. Vol, which Company was mainly composed of men from Knox County. Wounded at a battle near Dallas, GA, on 23 Feb 1865, discharged at Nashville on 23 Feb 1865. First wife, Louisa D. Edwards, mar. 2 Elizabeth T. Adkisson.

A battlefield citation for valuable service was written by Col. Leonidas C. Houk of the 3rd TN. Inf., which may be found in War of the Rebellion – A compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies, Series I, Vol. III, pages 44, 45, and 46. In this report, Col. Houk states his command of about 200 men at London, KY, was attacked by a Confederate Cavalry force of 1000 to 1500 men. The losses were terrific but he was able to withdraw most of his forces to Cumberland Gap, more than 100 miles away. His report includes the following:

“Both men and officers of my command behaved like true patriots and good soldiers, but I conceive that it would be almost criminal to omit to state that Capt. Thomas McNish, Lt. James N. Ray, Lt. B. R. Baker, and Lt. John H. Cross displayed a heroism and rendered services in this engagement rarely equaled and, and in my opinion, never excelled. Capt. William Sawyers, Lt. James G. Roberts and Lt. Samuel Black, also, rendered valuable services during the fight, as well as on the march to this place……”

Phillip Roberts (b. 1794) served 90 days in the War of 1813 and also volunteered in Capt. Chiles‘ Company, Reg. Brigade Division, at Knoxville in 1814. He enlisted in McNairy County in Capt. Elijah Roberts‘ Company of Infantry on 18 Sept. 1862 and served as a private until 14 Aug. 1863. Honorably discharged at Lagrange, TN, by reason of asthma and old age. Never married.

Robert Samuel Roberts (1837) served in the Union Army in Company E, 1st TN Infantry. Buried in Kreis Cemetery, Roane County. Married Louisa Hester.

Thomas L. Roberts (1834) served as a Sgt. in the 5th TN Inf. from 25 Feb 1862 till 4 Apr 1865. His face was scarred by a shell. [Civil War Veterans Census-Tennessee, by Byron Sistler] Thomas‘ service records state that he joined Co. B, 5th TN Inf. as a Pvt. on 28 Mar 1862 at Barbourville, KY, for a term of 3 years. The company muster roll for 31 Aug–31 Dec 1862 says he was “left sick at Cumberland Gap on 17 Sep 1862”. The Sep-Oct 1862 muster roll places him at Camp Lew Wallace. He was apparently a clerk in the quartermaster department and the company muster roll for Sep-Oct 1864 says he was appointed Quartermaster Sgt. on 8 Oct 1864 at Marietta, GA. He was mustered out of service at Nashville, TN, on 31 Mar 1865 at age 30. On 7 Apr 1862 the Regimental Descriptive Book says he was 5′ 10″ tall, fair complexion, light hair, blue eyes, and was a farmer from Roane Co., TN. Thomas was a member of the Grand Army of the Republic, Kingston (R. K. Byrd Post #11), org. 25 Oct 1883. Married Mary Jane Adkisson.

William Monroe Roberts (1834) enlisted as a private of Captain L. M. Wester‘s Company G, First Regiment of TN Infantry Mounted at Kingston, TN, on 9 August 1861. He lost his right eye while on Saunder‘s Raid when a limb of a tree pierced his eye. He never recovered from the wound and suffered horribly. Married Nancy G. Silvey, daughter of Thomas Silvey.