Roderick N. Matheson

Roderick Nicol Matheson (May 28, 1824 – September 14, 1862) was a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War and the commander of the 32nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He was killed at Crampton's Gap during the Maryland Campaign of 1862.^[1]

Roderick N. Matheson
Colonel Roderick N. Matheson, c. 1861
Born	(1824-05-28)May 28, 1824 Inverness, Scotland
Died	September 14, 1862(1862-09-14) (aged 38) Crampton's Gap, Maryland, U.S.
Buried	Oak Mound Cemetery, Healdsburg, California
Allegiance	Union
Branch	United States Army
Years of service	1861–1862
Rank	Colonel
Commands	32nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment
Battles / wars	American Civil War

Biography

Matheson was born in Inverness, Scotland, in 1824. At the age of 15, he emigrated with his parents to New York City. He later moved to California during the Gold Rush and settled in Healdsburg, California in 1856. There, he became a well-known landowner and benefactor.^[2]

In 1861, Matheson traveled to Washington, D.C. to witness the first inauguration of Abraham Lincoln. Though intending to stay briefly, he became caught up in the events surrounding the start of the Civil War. He went on to organize and lead the 32nd New York Infantry, sometimes referred to as the "1st California Regiment."

Matheson fought in several major battles, including:

• First Battle of Bull Run
• Peninsula Campaign
• Seven Days Battles

He was mortally wounded at Crampton's Gap during the Battle of South Mountain on September 14, 1862.^[3]

He is buried in Oak Mound Cemetery in Healdsburg, California. A major street in Healdsburg is named in his honor.