By: Brady Deer

Deering J. Roberts is the son of John and Eliza Roberts. He was the brother of Albert Roberts. Dr. Roberts was born in Nashville, Tennessee, May 20, 1840. He went to private schools in Nashville until his 17^th year. He went to study medicine with Dr. A. R. Griffith. He practiced medicine until 1861, when he was enlisted as a private in Company C, Maney's First Tennessee Regiment, Rock City Guards. After he passed his inspection as assistant surgeon in front of the State Medical Board. However, he preferred to go as a private Soldier. For 1 year and he had already been used twice as a medical doctor. He was a good person his general said. In April of 1862 he was appointed to duty 20^th Tennessee Regiment as a contract or assistant surgeon. He was the only medical officer the regiment had until after the Battle of Baton Rouge. At that time Dr. Lee of Mississippi was appointed to the regiment as a contract surgeon. He served as Junior to Dr. Roberts until the Battle of Murfreesboro. Dr. Roberts was then re-inspected in front of the C.S.(Confederate States) Army Medical Board. He was assigned Assistant Surgeon and Dr. J.F. Fryar was appointed to the regiment as surgeon. Six months after, Dr. Roberts passed his examination in front the board for a promotion, before the Battle of Hoover's Gap. He was commissioned Surgeon and assigned to duty with the 20^th regiment. Dr. Fryar was transferred to another regiment. Between then and the Battle of Franklin, He was often on duty as surgeon of the 20^th Tennessee. That regiment liked him and Roberts was extremely popular with both enlisted men and commissioned officers. On one occasion his colonel said that he was "too fond of being at the front." Later on after the Battle of Franklin he was appointed to stay in charge of the wounded of Bate's division. He was relieved of duty on January 10, 1865 after the Gun Factory Hospital, with about 1,200 wounded Confederates. He was pulled back to work at Louisville, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia, and Fort Delaware. Then finally reaching Richmond, Virginia. He rejoined his command with the 20^th Tennessee again, he was with it at the Surrender of General Jos. E Johnston's army. His parole was received by him at Greensboro, North Carolina. He married in 1867. He became president of the American Medical Association in 1884. He had a wife, nee Miss Rachel L Breeding, citizen of Adair County, Kentucky, 6 sons, 3 daughters, and 5 grandsons. The was no Biography of him on any web pages or books.