{⋆★⋆} BG Roberts, William Paul

William Paul Roberts​

Born: July 11, 1841

Birth Place: Gates County, North Carolina

Father: John Smith Roberts

Mother: Jane Gatling Boyt Roberts

Wife: Elizabeth Ann Roberts 1847 – 1924

(Buried: Gatesville Cemetery, Gatesville, North Carolina)​

Education:

Attended Private Academy at Harrellsville, North Carolina​

Occupation before War:

School Teacher

Civil War Career:

1861: 3rd​ Lt. in 2nd​ North Carolina Cavalry Regiment​

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1862: 1st​ Lt. in 2nd​ North Carolina Cavalry Regiment​

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1862: Participated in the Battle of Fredericksburg, Virginia​

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1863 – 1864: Captain in 2nd​ North Carolina Cavalry Regiment​

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1864: Major of 2nd​ North Carolina Cavalry Regiment​

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1864 – 1865: Colonel of 2nd​ North Carolina Cavalry Regiment​

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1865: Brigadier General of Confederate Army Cavalry​

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1865: Participated in the Battle of Five Forks​

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1865: Surrendered at Appomattox Court House, Appomattox, Virginia​

Occupation after War:

1875: Delegate to North Carolina State Constitution Convention​

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1876 – 1877: North Carolina State Representative​

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1880 – 1888: North Carolina State Auditor​

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United States Counsel to Victoria British Columbia​

Died: March 28, 1910

Place of Death: Norfolk, Virginia

Age at time of Death: 68 years old

Burial Place: Gatesville Cemetery, Gatesville, North Carolina

 

[Luke Freet]

When Roberts was promoted to the rank of Brigadier in early 1865, he was allegedly given Lee's gauntlets.
He was the Confederacy's youngest confirmed general.

 

[Pollaco]

He replaced General Dearing in March 1865 as commander of Dearing's old brigade.

 

[Luke Freet]

He replaced General Dearing in March 1865 as commander of Dearing's old brigade.

Dearing in turn being transferred to the more prestigious Laurel Brigade, leading it to his fateful death at High Bridge

 

[Pollaco]

This unit that Roberts took over was only one regiment and a battalion by the time Five Forks rolled around. And it was decimated there. Roberts surrendered with fragments a week later.

 

[gentlemanrob]

Happy Weekend Birthday (July 11th) Brig. General William Paul Roberts! Salutes remembering General Roberts on his birthday weekend.

 

[Luke Freet]

Roberts commanded Dearing Old Brigade. When Rufus Barringer, commander of the old Tarheel Brigade, was captured, he commanded the remnant of that command until the surrender at Appomattox.

 

[Pollaco]

He went from private all the way to brigadier only skipping Sergeant and Lt. Col. (And corporal, if that counts)

 

[Pollaco]

Dearing was only about a year older than Roberts.

 

[ErnieMac]

There is a historic marker in Gatesville NC commemorating his service which I passed a few times while working in eastern NC.
https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=60647

 

[gentlemanrob]

Happy Birthday Brig. General William Paul Roberts! Salutes remembering General Paul on his birthday.

 

[Luke Freet]

Many label Roberts as the youngest Confederate general. However, that record should go to Brigadier General John Herbert Kelly, western cavalry commander, who was 23 years, 7 months and 17 days old when he got his star, November 16th, 1863. In comparison, Roberts was 23 years, 8 months and 10 days of age upon his promotion.

 

[Pollaco]

Many label Roberts as the youngest Confederate general. However, that record should go to Brigadier General John Herbert Kelly, western cavalry commander, who was 23 years, 7 months and 17 days old when he got his star, November 16th, 1863. In comparison, Roberts was 23 years, 8 months and 10 days of age upon his promotion.

One of these was not a commissioned general though is how the story goes, I think?? I forget which?

 

[Luke Freet]

One of these was not a commissioned general though is how the story goes, I think?? I forget which?

no they both were commissioned. May be confusing with Dearing, as he officially held the rank of Colonel until his fateful day.

 

[Pollaco]

That's probably it!

 

[Pollaco]

Doesn't Felix Robertson fit into that "boy -general" thing too?