Benjamin Franklin Rodgers ancestor of Brother Steve Pearce

Benjamin Franklin Rodgers, was born to the parents of Benjamin and Sarah Rodgers on May 24, 1842. Benjamin Franklin Rodgers was born and raised in the small northern Maryland town of Freeland. This town is in north Baltimore County, due north of Baltimore and about 7 miles south of the Pennsylvania line. He was the fourth of six children and first of two boys. Due to both he and his father having the same first name he went by his middle name of Frank, and once educated, signed his name B. Frank Rodgers. Benjamin Franklin Rodgers, like most of the boys of his day, learned the trade of his father and grew up learning to be a shoemaker.

When the call to arms came, Benjamin Franklin Rodgers joined the Union Army on August 11, 1862, at Camp Schley in Baltimore MD. for a period of 3 years.. The unit mustered in was Company F, 4th Maryland Volunteers Regiment, 2 Division, 5th Corp. The Commander of the 4th Maryland Regiment would be Col. Richard N. Bowerman from initial muster through the end of the war. At the time of enlistment, from his pension records, it has Benjamin Franklin Rodgers as 5’ 8”, blue eyes, dark hair, and paid a bounty of $25 to join.

The unit in the Army of the Potomac to which Benjamin Franklin Rodgers was assigned saw no action in the first years of the war. This unit was in a constant state of drill and earmarked to guard Washington DC. His company papers has him in October of 1863 being deducted 10 cents for losing his belt plate.

Once General Grant took command, of the Army of the Potomac, the 4th Maryland Regiment moved into action. This unit was involved in multiple battles until the end of the war. The unit was involved in: The Battle of the Wilderness in May 1864, Spotsylvania in May 1864, North Anna in May 1864, Cold Harbor in June of 1864, Welden Railroad in August 1864, Reams Station in August 1864, Globe Station in August 1864, Hatchers Run from Oct. ‘64 until Feb. 1865, and Five Forks in March 1865. The Regiment was in the area of Appomattox in April 1865. Benjamin Franklin Rodgers became corporal in March of 1864. On Feb. 6, 1865, Corporal Rodgers was wounded in action at Hatchers Run Va. Corporal Rodgers was able to return to action in March. What his injuries were are not really known.

On March 23, 1870, Benjamin Franklin Rodgers married Julia Wilhelm in Baltimore Maryland. Benjamin Franklin Rodgers and Julia had six children, four boys and two girls. Two of the boys died at ages four and five. Benjamin Franklin Rodgers died May 21, 1919 and Julia Rodgers lived to be 102 and died February 11, 1949. They rest in peace at Middletown Baptist Church, in the rural town of Middletown Maryland,

Submitted by Steve Pearce February 16, 2001