Charles W. Roberts, born in Old Town, Maine, graduated from Bowdoin College and served as a colonel in the Union Army during the Civil War. He commanded the 1st Brigade at the Second Battle of Bull Run and led his regiment at the Battle of Fredericksburg, where he was wounded. Roberts retired due to health issues in 1863 and was later brevetted as a brigadier general. Post-war, he engaged in political activities, running as the Democratic candidate for governor of Maine in 1875.

Charles W. Roberts combines a War Democrat ideological heritage with a pragmatic approach to military strategy, as seen in his unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations. His military career, marked by significant battlefield commands and a brevet brigadier general rank, showcases an ideologically agile yet regionally focused approach. Roberts' political campaign for governor of Maine highlights his strategic use of familial and marital ties to navigate party affiliations, revealing a calculated effort to balance regional interests with broader political dynamics.