Date of Award
2004
Degree Name
History
College
College of Liberal Arts
Type of Degree
M.A.
Document Type
Thesis
First Advisor
Robert Sawrey
Second Advisor
David Mills
Third Advisor
Jack Dickinson
Abstract
Richard P. Roberts was the colonel of the Pennsylvania 140th regiment from its organization in September 1862 until his death at Gettysburg in July 1863. During this time period, Captain David Acheson of Company C fostered a “growing dislike” for the colonel that led him to portray the colonel negatively in his writings. Unfortunately for the colonel’s reputation, Acheson’s letters have been widely published, leading at least one historian to accept Acheson’s poor opinion of the colonel as fact. However, other primary sources exist which collectively demonstrate a positive regimental opinion of the colonel and further suggest that Acheson’s criticisms of the colonel were largely unwarranted and were a product of his own biases instead of an honest appraisal of the colonel’s performance. In fact, Colonel Roberts performed his duties admirably and is worthy of a commendation that, until now, the Acheson letters have largely denied him.
Subject(s)
Roberts, Richard P.
United States. Army. Pennsylvania Volunteers Regiment, 140th.
United States - History - Civil War, 1861-1865.
United States - History - Civil War, 1861-1865 - Regimental histories - Army of the Potomac.
Recommended Citation
Bell, Gregory Jason, "In Defense of Colonel Richard P. Roberts, Commanding Officer of the Pennsylvania 140th Regiment" (2004). Theses, Dissertations and Capstones. 464.
https://mds.marshall.edu/etd/464
