E RECORD OF THE MILITARY SERVICE OF ^xxei Bik\xitM(xnt ani> ^xmd Captain u. s. ARMY J 862 to 1876 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 00Q1^35a3ia' Class ^^L- ^ _ ■IfKSIvNTKI) hV RECORD OF THE MILITARY SERVICE OF ^xtBt Ekuttnant anb (^xt\>U Captain U. S. ARMY J 862 to J 876 WASHINGTON, D. C. Gibson Bros.^ Printers and Bookbinders 1904 (^Y^'.R.ei .e^,Ocx/>.:L.\ RECORD OF THE MILITARY SERVICE OF First Lieutenant and Brevet Captain Robert Goldthwaite Carter U. S. ARMY Robert Goldthwaite Carter was born on October 29, 1845, at Bridgton, Maine, but removed in April, 1847, to Portland, Maine, where his father, a rising lawyer in the State, had assumed editorial charge of the Portland Advertiser, then the leading Whig news- paper of Maine. He attended the public schools in Portland until May, 1857, when he again removed to Bradford (now Haverhill), Mass. His education being but imper- fectly complete, he was, in 1861, about to enter the PhilHps (Andover) Academy, to prepare for college or business, when the demon of Civil War broke loose and changed the entire course of his future life. Military Ancestry. Captain Carter descended from a race of soldiers. At least twenty (20) of his ancestors served during the Colonial and French and Indian wars and War of the Revolution, besides a number of uncles and cousins in the Civil War. 3 On the Paternal Side. A great-grandfather, Samuel Carter, was in the Indian garrison house on George Hill, Lancaster, Mass., where he lost his house and all his stock by an attack of Indians, 1704. A great-grandfather. Colonel Josiah Carter, who was in the Fort William Henry alarm, 1757, and served in the Revolutionary War, passed through every grade to that of colonel from 1775 to 1780, inclusive. He had two sons in the service: One, Captain Carter's great-grandfather, Abijah Carter, served in the Revolutionary War as private and sergeant from 1776 to 1780, inclusive; also 12th N. H. Militia (troop) 1788. A great-uncle, Josiah Carter, Jr., was a corporal in the Lexington alarm, a sergeant and ensign at the siege of Boston, with subsequent service to 1780. A great-grandfather. Major Eleazar Hamlin, grand- father of Hannibal Hamlin, who was Governor of Maine, United States Senator, Minister to Spain, collector of Boston, etc., was a Second Lieutenant in the Lexington alarm; served as a captain and major from 1775 to 1781, inclusive, and was retired on half pay, which, later, was changed to a grant of land. Three (3) of his sons also served during the Revo- lutionary War. One, America Hamlin, Captain Carter's great- grandfather, served as private and sergeant from 1778 to 1781, inclusive. Another. Europe Hamlin, a great-uncle, served as private and sergeant from 1775 to 1780, inclusive; also as sergeant in "Shay's RebeUion, " 1787. Another, Lieutenant Africa Hamlin, a great-uncle, who was with his father in the Lexington alarm, [775, served as corporal, sergeant, ordnance sergeant, 4 sergeant-major, ensign and lieutenant, until January 24, 1784, having acted as adjutant, quartermaster and paymaster. He was a charter member of the Society of the Cincinnati . On the Maternal Side. f A great-grandfather, Captain William Davis, was a sergeant, ensign, lieutenant and captain of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston from 1645 to 1675; a Heutenant and captain of the Suffolk County (Massachusetts) Troop of Horse; commanded a troop of horse in " Unigrets War"; was second in command, under his brother-in-law, Major Thomas Savage, who led the Massachusetts troops against King PhiHp, resulting in the latter's defeat and death; was in the Kennebec expedition (1676) with Captain Thomas Lake, who was killed; but he, who was wounded, escaped, and died the same year from the effects of the wound. He was one of the founders of the Old South Church and select- man of Boston 1647, 1654, 1661; also 1670-1675. His son Thomas married Hannah, a daughter of Gov- ernor John Leverett of Massachusetts. A great-grandfather,. Captain John Goldthwaite, was a sergeant, ensign, and lieutenant from 171 1 to 1732 of the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Com- pany of Boston; was a captain in Col. Jacob Wendell's regiment of Boston. 1743. He had three (3) sons in the service : One, a greatgrandfather. Col. Thomas Goldthwaite, was a captain in the Crown Point expedition of 1760; paymaster general of 4,000 Massachusetts troops at Crown Point, under Sir Jeffrey Amherst, 1760-'! ; pro- vincial secretary of war under Sir Francis Bernard, 1761-1763; commandant of Fort Pownal at the mouth of the Penobscot river, 1763-1775; colonel 2d regi- S ment Lincoln County Massachusetts Militia. He was a friend of both Sir Francis Bernard and Thomas Hutchinson, the last Colonial Governor of Massachu- setts, and associated with them in important business interests. Another, Col. Benjamin Goldthwaite, a great-grand- uncle, joined the Ancient and Honorable Artillery- Company of Boston, 1740; in expedition to Annapolis Royal, 1744, under Major Paul Mascarene; captain, 2d Massachusetts regiment in the first siege of Louis- burg; commanded the English troops at battle of Minas, Nova Scotia, 1747; major in Winslow's "Aca- dian expedition," 1755; major in second siege of Louisburg; colonel in Crown Point expedition for the relief of Fort William Henry, 17 56- '7. This magnificent old soldier spent eighteen years — the best years of his life — in the Colonial service, and was in five campaigns, which, for courage displayed, and for importance of results, few incidents in the colonial history of this country can compare. Es- pecially in the siege and capture of Louisburg, in 1745. He had two sons in the service: One, Captain Jacob Goldthwaite a great-uncle, served as a private in 1756; was one of the few survivors of the Fort William Henry massacre in 1757; served in the cam- paigns of i758-'9 and 1760, and was a sergeant, en- sign, lieutenant and captain-lieutenant from 1775 to 1780, inclusive. His son, Timothy Goldthwaite, was a private at 14, in 1775; served three years as a mattross in his father's regiment until 1780, and was also in the War of 1812. Another, Benjamin Goldthwaite, Jr., a great-uncle, was a minute man in. the Lexington alarm, and also had subsequent service. The brother of Col. Benjamin G., Captain Joseph Goldthwaite, a great grand-uncle, was a private and first sergeant in the Ancient and Honorable Artillery Company of Boston from 1730 to 1748; ensign, Col. Jacob Wendell's regiment of Boston, 1743, with his father, Captain John Goldthwaite ; first lieutenant and adjutant (brevet captain) of Colonel (Sir William) Pepperell's First Massachusetts Regiment at the siege of Louisburg, 1745; first lieutenant, Shirley's 50th Foot, 1756; captured at the siege of Oswego, 1756; prisoner of war at Fort St. Philip, Island of Minorca, 1758. Granted 2,000 acres of land, Warren county, N. Y., March 25, 1775. His son. Colonel Joseph Goldthwaite, a great-uncle, was major in Colonel John Phillips' regiment, of Bos- ton, 1759, with probably prior service; major in Bagley's regiment, 1 760-1 761, at Louisburg; in com- mand there that winter; lieutenant colonel in Salion- stall's regiment, i762-'3; present at Indian Peace Conference at Fort Niagara, N. Y., with Sir William Johnson, 1764; major and commissary in Boston, 1765; major and "barrack master" with the British troops at siege of Boston, 17 75-1 776. Francis Archibald, a great-grandfather, was one of the boys who brought on the "Boston Massacre," March 5, 1770, one of the disturbing causes of the Revolutionary War; was a witness before the court which tried Captain Preston of the British army for murder; private and sergeant in garrison of Fort Pownal, 1 77 1, and until its destruction, July 22, 1775; private secretary to Col. Thomas Gold- thwaite and clerk of the fort. Married Mary, daughter of Colonel Goldthwaite. His brother, Edward Archibald, a grand-uncle, was second lieutenant, ensign, first lieutenant and adjutant of Glover's famous Marblehead regiment ("Marine Regiment") from 1775 to 1777; captain- lieutenant, in Lamb's Second Continental Artillery from 1777 to 1780, inclusive. 7 Tn 1832 the father of Captain Carter was appointed a cadet at West Pomt from the Oxford County Dis- trict of Maine. Having become an orphan at an early age, upon the advice of his friends, he resigned his cadetship in 1834 to study law. Many of his classmates distinguished themselves in the Mexican and Civil Wars. Military Record. Although but 15 years of age when Fort Sumter was fired upon, all thought of school or any further study was thrown aside, and on April 20, 1861, at the first call for 75,000 troops, Captain Carter hurried to Boston, hoping that his size and strength would more than compensate for his extreme youth; but upon attempting to enlist, he was doomed to disap- pointment, for he was summarily rejected. Two other brothers then entered the service, which alone acted as a check to curb the restless spirit within him. In 1862, at the age of 16, he made another strenuous effort to enlist, but upon being again rejected on ac- count of an honest confession of his true age, and after a sober reflection of three weeks, he returned to the same recruiting officer, and after stating that he had gained two years in that period, and was then iS, or the required legal age, he was at once and this time eagerly accepted, and on August 5, 1862, he was mustered into the service as a private, Company H, 2 2d Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, a regimenli that had been raised by the late Henry Wilson, Sena- tor and Vice-President of the United States. In "Fox's Regimental Losses," compiled from Official Records, it stands number 27 in a list of 45 Union infantry regiments that lost over 200 killed on the battlefield, with a record of 216; and in a list of all 8 Union infantry regiments that lost over lo per cent, in killed it stood number 13, with a percentage of I5-5- It was one of the best fighting regiments in the Army of the Potomac, made up of college and school boys, young lawyers, clerks and mechanics from Bos- ton and adjacent towns, and was commanded by a regular officer. Col. Jesse A. Gove (captain, loth U. S. Infantry), who was killed at the battle of Gaines' Mills, Va., June 27, 1862. Captain Carter was the youngest of four brothers in the Army of the Potomac, who, between them, par- ticipated in every campaign and principal battle of that army from the first battle of Bull Run to Appo- mattox Court-House. One brother. Captain and Brevet Major Eugene Carter (a graduate of the United States Military Academy, June 24, 186 1), was assigned to Company G, 8th U. S. Infantry, but that regiment having sur- rendered to General Twiggs in Texas, and being then paroled prisoners of war, he was temporarily attached to Company B, 3d U. S. Infantry. Without a graduation leave he was hurried to Washington for the purpose of organizing and drilling raw troops which were pouring into the Capital by thousands. He participated in the first battle of Bull Run, July 21, 1 86 1, and was in Hunter's Division, Andrew Porter's Brigade, Sykes' Battalion (Regulars). Cap- tain J. Ford Kent, commanding Company B of the 3d Infantry, having been wounded shortly after coming on the field, Eugene Carter commanded the company during the entire battle. His record of military service is given in General Cullum's Register of Graduates of the United States Military Academy. He participated in the Peninsula campaign, begin- ning with the siege of Yorktown April 5 to May 3, 1862, and ending with the battle of Malvern Hill, Va., 9 July I, 1862, during which he commanded Company G, 8th U. S. Infantry, and continued in the field until after the campaign and battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 1-3, 1863. He was bre vetted captain, U. S. Army, July 4, 1862, "for gallant and meritorious service during the Peninsula campaign." He was bre vetted major, U. S. Army, December 13, 1862, "for gallant and meritorious service at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va." He was honorably mustered out in 1871, to engage in business. He was at that time a captain, nth U. S. Infantry, and brevet major, U. S. Army. Another brother, John H. Carter, a private and sergeant of Company E, ist Massachusetts Heavy Artillery (organized as 14th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry), from August 16, 1861, to August 25, 1865, participated in every campaign and battle with the Second Army Corps from May 18, 1864, at Spottsyl- vania Court-House to Appomattox Court-House, in- cluding North Anna, Va., May 23-27, 1864; Totopoto- moy, Va., May 30, 31, 1864; Cold Harbor, Va., June 1-12, 1864; Petersburg, Va., June 15, 19, 20-30, 1864; Weldon Railroad, June 22, 23, 1864; Deep Bottom, Va., July 27, 28, 1864; Mine Explosion, Petersburg, Va., July 30, 1864; Strawberry Plains, Va., August 14- 18, 1864; Peeble's Farm, Va., September 30, 1864; Boydton Plank Road (Hatcher's Run), Va., October 27, 1864, where he was wounded, captured and re- captured the same day; White Oak Road, Va., March 31, 1865; Sutherland Station, Va., April 2, 1865; Sailor's Creek and Deatonsville, Va. April 6, 1865; Farmville, Va., April 7, 1865; Lee's surrender (Ap- pomattox Court-House, Va., April 9, 1865). Still another brother, Walter Carter, who was a corporal, sergeant-major and first lieutenant (but not mustered), entered the 2 2d Massachusetts Volun- tcers August 5, 1862, with the subject of this sketch; he participated in every campaign and battle with that regiment, which was in the First Brigade, First Division (Gen. Charles Griffin), Fifth i\rmy Corps, from the second battle of Bull Run up to and in- cluding the siege of Petersburg, Va. Bivouacking without shelter or blankets, and with- out proper rations, on Shuter's Hill, near Alexandria, Va., at Fairfax Seminary and on Arlington Heights, Va., from August 19, 1862, within sound of the guns at Bull Run, awaiting the arrival of the Army of the Potomac from Harrison's Landing, Va. ; they joined the regiment as it came from Bull Run at Hall's Hill, Va., September 4, 1862. Served in the fortifications on Arlington Heights until September 12th, following which he was in the first Maryland campaign, which culminated in the battle of Antietam; engaged in the battle of Antietam September 16, 17, 1862. In the advance of the army and skirmishing with the enemy at the Burnside Bridge, Antietam Creek, on the night of September 18, 1862; in the advance through Sharps- burg towards Shepardstown, Va., and Blackford's Ford, September 19; in the reconnoissance in force across Blackford's Ford, and engaged in the disastrous rearguard action with the enemy (Jackson's Corps) at Boteler's Mill, Va., September 20, 1862; picket duty, without blankets, or proper clothing, along the line of the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, sleeping at night without shelter in the dry (?) bed of the canal, from Shepardstown Bridge to Blackford's Ford, from September 20 to October 31, 1862, during an unpre- cedented season of cold fogs, rains, and heavy frosts, which caused much sickness and many deaths. On the march from Sharpsburg to Fredericksburg, Va., from October 31 to November 21, 1862, fifteen days of which it rained or snowed, and the Army of the Potomac was perilously near to insubordination and mutiny, owing to the sudden relief of Generals Geo. B. McClellan and Fitz-John Porter from their com- mands. Covering Snicker's Gap in line of battle, but not en- gaged, November 2-6, 1862; reconnoissance in force to the vicinity of Hartwood Church, Va., and return to camp near "Stoneman's Switch," December 2, 1862; capture of one scout ; engaged in battle of Fredericks- burg, Va., December 13, 14, 1862. On a secret reconnoissance and organized expedition, composed of infantry, cavalry and artillery, to Rich- ard's and Ellis's Fords, Rappahannock river, Decem- ber 30, 1862, to January i, 1863. Clearing the timber barricades, skirmish at Rich- ard's Ford, resulting in the accidental wounding of Mrs. Richards and the capture of a vedette of the ist South Carolina Cavalry. Forded the Rappahannock, breaking the ice, the ford being about knee deep ; made a very rapid march of eight miles to Ellis's Ford, where the river was forded a second time by breaking the ice; this time, however, the water being up to the armpits ; picketed Ellis's Ford on the night of December 31, without fires or coffee, and without changing their wet clothes, which froze stiff on the men's backs — mercury at zero; return march January i, 1863. This was an organized raid by Averill's cavalry to cut and damage, as much as possible, the lines of communication of the enemy, to be supported by a selected light infantry division. It was initiated by General Burnside, but was suddenly negatived by President Lincoln's order as soon as he learned of it through some officers who had been unfriendly to General Burnside after the massacre at Fredericks- burg. On "Burnside's mud march," January 20-24, 1863, to the fords of the Rappahannock and return. Severe outpost picket duty in rain, sleet and snow, seven miles from camp, along a line between Hart- wood Church and Stafford Court-House, Va. ; drills, fatigue, camp guard and train guard duty ; inspections and reviews from January 24 to April 27, 1863. On the Chancellorsville campaign, April 27 to May 1, 1863. Engaged in the battle of Chancellorsville, Va., May 1-6, 1863. With the Fifth Corps, acting as a corps of obser- vation, guarding the fords of the Rappahannock river from May 29 to June 13, 1863, picketing this line, constructing field earthworks, scouting, etc. On train guard, escorting wagon train May 31 to June 2 from Grove Church, Va., to Stoneman's Switch and return, over a road which had been left open to frequent incursions by Mosby's partisans, who had killed or captured many men along this route. Marched to support the Union cavalry in the cavalry combat at Beverly Ford, Va., June 9, 1863, and re- turn; within supporting distance and sound of the guns, but not engaged. From June 13 to July 5, 1863, was on the Gettys- burg campaign; march to Gum Springs and Aldie, Va., supporting the cavalry corps (detached from the Army of the Potomac for this purpose), and engaged in the cavalry battle of Aldie and Upperville, Va., June 21, 22, 1863. On train guard, escorting the Fifth Corps wagon train from Aldie to Fairfax Station, Va., via Chan- tilly and Germantown; abandonment and destruction of the station and rearguard skirmish with the enemy's cavalry. Return via Frying Pan and Dranesville to and across the Potomac river at Edward's Ferry through a coun- try then infested by Mosby's scouts; joined the main army and brigade again at Frederick City, Md., via Bamesville, Buckeystown and Monocacy, Md. 13 March through Frederick, Liberty, Johnsville, Friz- zleburg. Union Bridge, Union Mills, Hanover, Mc- Sherrytown and Boneauville to Gettysburg, Pa., June 29 to July 2, 1863. Engaged in the battle of Gettysburg, Pa., July 2-3, 1863. On a reconnoissance in force and skirmish with the rearguard of the retreating Confederate army during a heavy thunder storm July 4, 1863. Following up the enemy from July 5 ; on the picket line and skirmish with the enemy at St. James Col- lege, near Williamsport, Md., July 14, and at night, when the Confederate army recrossed the Potomac; captured prisoners and reported the retreat of the enemy to division headquarters. Pursuit of the Confederate Army from July 14 to July 23, 1863. Supporting the Third Corps July 23, 24, 1863, in its engagement at Wapping Heights, near Manassas Gap, Va. March to Beverly Ford, Rappahannock river, from July 24 to September 8, 1863; guard, picket duty, re- connoissances until October 9; advance to the fords and movement upon Centreville, Va. ; engaged at Bristow Station, Va., October 14, 1863; action of Rappahannock Station, Va., November 7, 1863; Mine Run, Va., November 26 to December i, 1863. Engaged in the campaign of 1864; battle of the Wilderness, Va., May 5-7, 1864. Engaged in the battles of Laurel Hill, Va., May 8, 1864, and Alsop's Farm, Va., May 10, 1864; here, while sergeant-major of the 2 2d Massachusetts, and cut off from the right of the regiment with the major and two companies by the Brock road, running into Spottsylvania Court-House, which here cut the line, the major, seeing the perilous situation of himself and men, subjected to a terrific fire of spherical case, 14 canister and musketry, sent him to the right of the road to ask the colonel for relief. He ran the gauntlet through a perfect hailstorm of bullets, and was re- peatedly struck through the clothing, and one ball passing across his eye so burnt it that he was unable to use it for several days. Engaged in the battles of Spottsylvania Court- House, Va., May 8-20, 1864. The 2 2d Massachusetts, on the night of May 8, at Laurel Hill, in a desperate hand-to-hand encounter, captured the battle-flag and many prisoners of the 6th Alabama Infantry, Dole's Division, Battle's Bri- gade. In pursuit of the enemy; engaged in battle of North Anna river, Va., May 23, 1864, skirmishing until May 27, 1864. Advance to the Pamunkey river; support of the cavalry at Hawe's Shop, Va., May 29, 1864; engaged at Totopotomoy, Va., May 30, 31, 1864; engaged at Bethesda Church, Va., May 30 to June i, 1864; en- gaged at Cold Harbor, Va., June 1-12, 1864. March to and across the James river; engaged at Petersburg, Va., June 18, 1864, cutting and capture of the Norfolk and Petersburg R.R. — constantly under fire — and performing the most arduous duties; working upon the entrenchments, picket duty, night alarms, etc., from June 18 to July 30, 1864; Mine Ex- plosion, Va., July 30, 1864, in support of the assaulting columns. The regiment had now become so much depleted by constant battle service, numbering but 125 men, that General Griffin, the Division Commander, se- lected it to go to City Point, Va., and guard the immense ordnance stores, quartermaster's work and repair shops, hospitals, prisoners, etc., which had accumulated there ; and here it remained from August 9, to October i, 1864, to await muster out, performing, 15 in the meantime, the most important service by guard- ing milHons of dollars' worth of the most valuable property, for which it was highly commended. In the report of Col. WilHam S. Tilton, commanding the 2 2d Massachusetts Volunteers during most of its service, and for a part of the campaign from the Rapi- dan river to Petersburg, he says: "May lo, 1864, * * * and Sergeant-Major Walter Carter deserve notice for their bravery. " Major Mason W. Burt, commanding the regiment for a part of this campaign, says : "Near City Point, Va., August 13, 1864. "The following enlisted men I mention (they having come particularly under my notice at the dates men- tioned) for coolness under fire and personal bravery; * * * and Sergeant-Major Walter Carter, in all battles of the campaign. " Having declined to be mustered on his commission as first lieutenant, 2 2d Massachusetts Volunteers, February 27, 1864, he could not receive brevets or any further recognition, which otherwise he would doubtless have had conferred upon him for such un- usual praise from his commanding officer, and for such an extraordinary record. I. — Specially Commended for Good Conduct. Captain Carter was specially commended for good conduct to the colonel commanding the regiment at the battle of Fredericksburg, Va., by his company commander. Captain Joseph H. Baxter, Company H, 2 2d Massachusetts Volunteers. Going into action at 3 P. M., December 13th, after making a m.ost des- perate charge across the plain in rear of the city, 16 which was swept by a terrific fire of shot, shell and musketry, the position of his regiment was within 300 yards of the now famous "sunken road" at the foot of Marye's Heights, in front of the "stone wall." Here, after remaining without sleep, among the un- buried dead, and the wounded of the 12 th Rhode Island Volunteers, during the night of the 13th, which was bitter cold, on Sunday, December 14, 1862, he and his brother lay for sixteen hours under a con- tinuous and murderous fire of sharpshooters posted on Marye's Heights and in the houses overiooking their position, the plane of fire just clearing their heads, without being able to stir hand or foot, in cold, freezing mud, and behind two terribly shell-mangled bodies for breastworks. The enemy's bullets fre- quently hit the dead flesh in front of their noses during all this period and until reHeved from their perilous position at eight o'clock that night. At the battle of Chancellorsville he was under fire from April 30 to May 6, 1863, and practically without sleep or food during that period. In the withdrawal of the Army of the Potomac across the Rappahannock at United States Ford, the First Brigade (Barnes') of the Fifth Corps (Meade)! to which the 2 2d Massachusetts was attached, acting as rearguard by order of General Hooker, covered the movement, which was regarded as one of extreme peril. This brigade, during a terrific rainstorm, dismantled, stripped and loaded the two pontoon bridges, after the army had crossed, and then, bending on cables to the pontoon wagons, hauled them by hand up a steep road over the bluff under cover of 30 guns in position. Guarding this train inside the picket-line to a place of safety, it reached its camp 24 hours after the entire army in an exhausted condition. On the Gettysburg campaign, extending from May 17 29 to July 22, 1863, upon reaching Frederick City, Md., his shoes had worn out on the long march and he was bare-footed. A pair was issued to him (the only shoes in the company) on the night of June 28th which proved to be nearly a size too small. When he arrived at Boneauville, Pa., in the immediate vicinity of Gettysburg, on the night of July i, having made a day and night march of nearly 30 miles, his feet had be- come completely covered with water-blisters, which had broken; the sand and gravel had worked into and made them so sore that he was again compelled to go barefoot the balance of the night, and to fall out of the rapidly moving column. At dayhght, upon hearing the sudden booming of guns, and knowing that a great battle was imminent on that day, he broke away from a group of stragglers which he had unwillingly joined, and hastening on the trail of the column, still barefooted, across wheat stubble fields, rocks and brambles, he never halted until he had overtaken and joined his regiment, then on the easterly slopes of Powers' Hill, where it was preparing to go into battle to support the Third Corps, then hard pressed. With his feet lacerated and bleed- ing at every pore, in this condition he went into the terrible struggle of that afternoon, July 2, in front of the Round Tops and across the Wheat Field near the Devil's Den. During a temporary lull in the firing he crept out in front of the lines, secured some stockings from the rolls of the dead, and thrusting his feet into the old shoes which he had cut away in front, using them as sandals for the protection of his almost useless feet over that rocky country, he continued on in the battle of July 3-4, and to the end of the campaign. He was then but 1 7 years of age. On July 22, 1863, when about to go into line of battle near Manassas Gap, Va., he was selected by the colonel commanding his regiment to proceed to Massachusetts with a detail of officers and non-com- missioned officers, he being the only private soldier detailed, on temporary detached service, for the pur- pose of conducting recruits and drafted men to the regi- ment. Four days later he gave to Gov. John A. Andrew, in his executive office in the State House, Boston, Mass., at his request, the first account he had heard of the battle of Gettysburg from a participant. While on this detached service he was detailed, even at his youthful age, as a detective, under orders of the provost marshal, in ferreting out plots for es- cape by the numerous "bounty jumpers" who were being brought into the rendezvous by thousands, apprehending deserters, searching all detachments, patrolling the island at all hours of the day and night, sometimes during terrible storms, along a rocky beach, and a multitude of other duties such as are incident to an immense draft depot. So much confidence did the provost marshal have in his good judgment, discretion and honesty, that he was twice selected to perform the most important du- ties under his authority, such as depositing and express- ing all money turned over by the drafted men and sub- stitutes for this purpose for their friends, as they were not permitted to take it to the front with them — sometimes amounting to $25,000 daily; it had to be carried in loose packages to the express offices and banks, and this responsibility was assumed as any other ordinary duty, without bond or any security expected or demanded. On another occasion he was detailed as acting postmaster for receiving and distributing all mail matter for 5,000 men. 19 n. — Capture of the Famous " Bounty Jumper/' Matthew Reilly, alias Roach. During this period he assisted in the pursuit and capture of five deserters (one only escaping) who had broken away from their guard, seized the best sailboat at the dock, and fled across the bay to Quincy, Mass., where, after a close pursuit and exciting, stern chase, they were overtaken and secured. One of these men whom he personally captured was the notorious "bounty jumper" Matthew Reilly, alias Roach, who was shown before the court which tried him to have jumped nine bounties in New York harbor aggregating $15,000. Another was Charles Carpenter. Both of these desperate, hardened criminals, upon the testi- mony of the detachment which captured them, were executed — shot — on the beach at Fort Warren, Bos- ton Harbor, April 22, 1864, by order of Gen. John A. Dix. The balance of these men were sentenced to hard labor at Fort Jefferson, Dry Tortugas. Detached on the transport Forrest City August 22, 1863, as guard for 800 drafted men, substitutes and recruits for various points — Fort Monroe, Norfolk, Alexandria and the Army of the Potomac; two hun- dred (200) were delivered to the 2 2d Massachusetts. During the run down the coast to Fort Monroe a fearful storm was encountered in which the trans- port came near foundering. The temporary bunks, during a sudden lurch, came down in the night; she shipped several huge waves. The desperate men crowded against the doors and threatened to take the ship, and they were only kept back for three days and nights by the veteran guard with loaded rifles, fixed bayonets and threats to shoot the first man who attempted to pass through the bulkhead door. On arriving at Alexandria many of these men tried to desert by the novel method of dropping from the stern of the ship into the Potomac river with boxes fastened over their heads full of holes, which they had cut for breathing spaces. These men were promptly shot and sunk by the guard from the hurricane deck. Mustered out of the Volunteer Service, October 4, 1864. Captain Carter was mustered out of the volunteer service October 4, 1864. On account of his extreme youth he declined a commission which had been offered to him by Gov. John A. Andrew, the War Governor of Massachusetts, who was a warm personal and political friend of his (Captain Carter's) father, then a State Senator and chairman of the Military Committee of the Massa- chusetts Senate; hence, as he was never on the sick report or excused from any duty whatever, could not get wounded, and had no hospital record, his entire campaign and battle service was in the ranks as a pri- vate soldier; and he could receive no brevets, reward of any kind, or any other substantial recognition for such hard service. Brevet Brigadier-General William S. Tilton, Colonel 2 2d Massachusetts Volunteers, says of him, however: "I take great pleasure in recommending him as a patriotic man, and an intelligent and faithful soldier. He joined my regiment (2 2d Massachusetts Infantry) in 1862 as a volunteer private soldier — a time when the example of good men was necessary to sustain enlistments, and this, too, at a sacrifice of social com- fort and to the great detriment of his education. "In my opinion he is fit to command men, for he has learned the virtue of obedience, which is disci- pline. His character is not to he questioned; his hear- ing in the field was always manly — braved Lieutenant Colonel Thomas Sherwin, of Boston, says : "He always acquitted himself to my entire satisfac- tion. In one engagement, Fredericksburg, his conduct was especially remarked upon by his company commander. On all occasions, in camp, on the march, he won the esteem of his officers by his intelligence, attention to duty and gentlemanly bearing. Well educated, energetic and full of zeal and patriotism , he will, I am sure, fill credit- ably any position to which he maybe assigned. Soon after the battle of Gettysburg I selected Carter as one of those in whom the greatest confidence could be re- posed, to proceed to Massachusetts and take charge of recruits and drafted men for the regiment." Appointed a Cadet at West Point, July I, 1865. While a cadet he was appointed a corporal, ser- geant, and first lieutenant in the cadet battalion, and graduated June 15, 1870. III. — Saved the Life of a Young Lady in the Hudson River, August 4, 1869. Had there been a law giving medals for saving life prior to the act of Congress, approved June 20, 1874, he would have been awarded the Life Saving Medal for this act. This incident was widely published at the time in all of the leading newspapers of the coun- try, but especially in the Christian Union, of New York City, in an article entitled — "A Christian Heroine. " We have not seen her, and probably never shall, but we like to feel that there are such people around in the world. For the glory of womanhood and for the inspiration of nobler sentiments, we must tell this nameless tale — nameless, since we judge she would be the last one to desire the story told, or her name identified with it. "During the last season a young lady who was visiting her brother at West Point received one day an invitation to take a row across the river. They crossed the river without trouble, but when it came time to return the wind had risen, and was rolling up waves quite too dangerous for the Httle shell of a boat in which they had embarked. The cadet warned his fair friend of the peril in attempting a repassage with that frail conveyance, and proposed that they take the regular ferry. But as this would involve such delay as to detain him from his place at parade and evening roll-call— a serious offense against the severe discipline of the Academy — she bravely in- sisted upon returning as they came, and was wilHng to take all the risk rather than be the cause of a dere- liction of his military duties. The waves were in- deed running high for so frail a craft, and they both soon realized that the condition was extremely criti- cal. "At last, when one wave higher than all the rest was seen approaching, she expressed her feehng that that would probably swamp the boat, and he frankly said that it undoubtedly would. She then told him that he must not trouble himself about her safety, but secure his own life; that she felt herself prepared for any event ; that she had faith to beheve that they would be saved, but if she sank she had a hope beyond this life in which she felt secure, and the message he should bear to her friends was that she died happy and with- out pain. "He gave her the assurance of his determination to do his best to save them both, but gave her to understand that while he could swim by himself, he 23 should be unable to sustain her unless she kept cool enough to retain her position with steadiness, do exactly what he might ask of her, and leave him un- embarrassed in his efforts to swim. "She promised all this, and nobly kept her word through the fearful ordeal. This was a rapid ex- change of thought, indeed, but brave people think with wondrous quickness when danger is imminent, and her coolness was further signalized by her care to draw on a glove, in the interval, to protect some keepsake rings on her finger. "All the while the fatal wave was rolling up! And then it came, and the boat sank, swamped beneath them, the tide also carrying it away down the stream. Like a true hero, the cadet now struggled with all his strength and skill to support his companion, she, meanwhile, cheering him with reiterated assurances of her hope that they would be rescued, and of the religious trust in which she could joyfully repose if he must abandon her to save himself. "Several times he managed to skilfully recover the boat and use it for a slight temporary relief to his waning strength, but manifestly the power of endurance was wearing out, although the young woman was cool enough to follow exactly the directions which he gave. "When almost ready to give up the futile effort, a boat appeared, sent to the rescue by a sloop which had just turned the point. As they caught the girl, she begged them to leave her and give all their atten- tion to the yotmg man who was sinking; and as he sank she bade him catch hold of her. He succeeded and was drawn in through his grasp on her ankle, when under the water, only to be laid down in a swoon from nervous and muscular exhaustion. "When the story became known at the cadet camp, the enthusiasm was unbounded over a heroism sur- 24 passing that of battle-fields, and there was proved to be an inspiration for youth greater than that from brave deeds in war, in the fortitude and simple faith of such a Christian heroine." There were two alternatives: One was to abandon her to her fate, a sure death by drowning, and swim ashore, or risk his life in an endeavor to save hers. He chose the latter, with the result as stated. There is no question but that he could have easily saved his own life by swimming to the nearest point of land on the east shore, about i ,000 yards, as he was a strong swimmer and an athlete, having trained and rowed in three races in as man}'- years; but to have abandoned her to a sure death would have been rank cowardice, which an old soldier, trained as he had been, and thoroughly imbued with the principles in- culcated at West Point, he could never have been guilty of for a moment. Second Lieutenant, 4th U. S. Cavalry, June J 5, 1870* On graduation leave until September 30, 1870. Reported in person at headquarters of the regiment, San Antonio, Texas. On duty with escort, Troop A, 4th Cavalry, con- ducting 300 half-broken horses which were driven loose 230 miles from San Antonio to Fort Concho, Texas, where he joined his Troop, E, November 20, 1870. In command of troop from November 23 to March 27, 1 871; engaged in numerous scouts after Comanche and Kiowa Indians to the headwaters of the Concho, Colorado, Trinity and Brazos rivers. Scouting after a band of Indians which had jumped the stage on the El Paso line near Mount Margaret, Texas, and thence into the Colorado Valley, where the trail was lost, being obHterated by countless herds of buffalo, March 4-10, 1871. Changing station to Fort Richardson, Texas, March 27, to April 8, 1 87 1. Commanding escort to wagon train from Fort Richardson to Fort Griffin, Texas, and return, April 10, 1 87 1, during which on a single horse and under urgent orders by courier from Gen. R. S. Mackenzie, Colonel 4th cavalry, he made a night ride of 80 meas- ured miles in 12 hours, 68 of which were made in 9 hours. IV. — One of the Longest Distance Rides on Record. This is believed to be one of the greatest long dis- tance rides ever made by a cavalry officer on a single horse in that time, and was made on a dark, starlight night, with a corporal and three men, on a blind stage trail through a rolling country continually infested by numerous bands of predatory Indians. He crossed two streams, one the Brazos river, and left the escort 16 miles in the rear; their horses either died or were rendered useless for further service, while his was ready for service the next day. Post Adjutant of Fort Richardson, April 20, 187 1. Selected for Important Duty. On special escort duty with a picked detachment for Gen. W. T. Sherman, Commanding General of the Army, from Rock Station, 16 miles from Fort Richard- son, a point two miles from which Satanta, the famous Kiowa war chief , with a war party of 150 Indians, committed an atrocious massacre that same afternoon, May 18, 1 87 1, killing, scalping, and brutally mutilating seven teamsters, burning one alive while chained to a wagon wheel. It was reported that Satanta's inten- tions were to intercept General Sherman on this trip, 26 capture him, and hold him for a ransom by the United States, but he denied it afterwards when a prisoner at Fort Richardson. Campaign against the Kiowas. Selected by Gen. R. S. Mackenzie as adjutant of a large Indian expedition, composed of ten troops of cavalry and two companies of infantry, from August 2 to September 14, 1871, into the Indian Territory, the Gypsum Belt of Texas and up the North Fork of the Red river and its tributaries. This campaign was directed against Kicking Bird's and Lone Wolf 's bands of Kiowas which had fled from the Fort Sill Reserva- tion upon the arrest of Satanta, Setank and Big Tree at that post by order of General Sherman, June 9, 1 87 1. This campaign was stopped by an order sent from Washington through Fort Sill, Indian Territory, and by courier to General Mackenzie at the Wichita Mountains, August 16, placing him under General Grierson's command and directing him not to attack Kicking Bird's camp, then on the^Sweetwater, a tribu- tary of the North Fork of the Red river, and on no account to bring on an Indian war. Lost many horses and had many sick men through drinking poisonous alkali water. One Indian, said to be a Lipan, was captured, but released near Kicking Bird's camp. A large trail was followed for one day and Kicking Bird was persuaded by General Grierson, commanding loth cavalry, to go into the reservation. Campaign against the Comanchcs. On second expedition from old Camp Cooper on Tecumseh Creek, near Fort Griffin, Texas, to the Pan Handle of Texas and Staked Plains from October 2 to November 18, 187 1. 27 V^. Selected by General Mackenzie to go on a rec- onnaissance with eight men and five Ton-ka-way In- dian scouts to the Clear Fork of the Brazos river, to determine a practicable road for the wagon trains, and to select a suitable camp for the entire command September 29 to October i, 187 1. VI . Guided the column to the camp which he had selected October 3, 187 1. VII. Detached from troop and selected to assist Lieut. H. W. Lawton, Regimental Quartermaster, in making roads, building bridges, and preparing cross- ings at the numerous small creeks and streams, to facilitate the more rapid movement of the wagon supply train, October 4-5, 1871. Vni. — Saves the Entire Command from Stampede. While officer of the day, October 6, 187 1, at Cot- tonwood Springs, Texas, and lying with the picket reserve, he saved the entire command from a wholesale stampede of over 600 horses and mules which had been staked out for grazing across the water trail of numerous buffalo herds near by. He promptly turned out the entire guard about midnight, and having received orders that no shots should be fired, he hurried them to a position where he succeeded by waving blankets, shouting, etc., in turning the heads of the buffalo herds, which were moving by countless thousands, just in time to prevent their pushing their way over the grazing ground and among the horse herds. IX. Specially selected and ordered, October 8, 187 1, by General Mackenzie, with a small detachment of picked men, to the head of Duck Creek to scout for the trail of any hostile Indians and to find, if pos- sible, the trail of the Ton-ka-way Indian scouts, who had been sent out the previous evening. Engaged on the morning of October 10, 187 1, with Mow-wi's and 2S Para-o-coom's bands of Qua-ha-da Comanche Indians at Canon Blanco, near the Freshwater Fork of the Brazos river, Texas, numbering several hundred. X.— Brevet First Lieutenant U. S. Army for: ** Specially Gallant Conduct in Action against Indians on the Brazos River, Texas, October 10, J 87 1/' XL— Saves the Life of an Officer of the 4th Cavalry, and all His Men, Seven in Number, as well as Four of His Own Men from Massacre, and Re- ceives a Serious Injury. He is credited by every officer of the regiment with saving the life of Captain E. M. Heyl (afterwards Colonel and Assistant Inspector General, U. S. Army) 4th cavalry, now dead, and his seven (7) men, as well as his own four (4) men from massacre on that day. Lieutenant (now Major, U. S. Army) W. A. Thomp- son, 4th Cavalry, states : "Had it not been for your coolness, good judgment and great gallantry that morning, the chances are^ ten to one the whole command would have been killed before we could have reached them * * * prompt and decisive action and bravery held the men to their work and saved the day. * * * The Oua-ha-da Comanche Indians are noted for their great bravery and close fighting. " Lieutenant (now Captain U. S. Army) P. M. Boehm, 4th Cavalry, states : "I was present at the time the Indians made the charge and I can vouch for the brave conduct and skill 29 of Lieutenant Carter. I cannot express in too great a sense the ability shown by this officer in covering the retreat and holding his men in such a position as held the Indians back. If there is any honor that should be bestowed upon any officer who was engaged at the time mentioned it is Lieutenant Carter." Captain John A. Wilcox, 4th Cavalry (now Lieu- tenant-Colonel U. S. Army), states: " Your personal bravery in the fight near the Brazos river, when the Indians partially cut off your little detachment and killed your sergeant, is well known to all the old officers of the 4th Cavalry." Lieutenant C. A. Vernou, 4th Cavalry (now Major U. S. Army), states: " As soon as some of the horses which had stampeded the night before were caught and sent in from the front, we heard from the men about the man of Troop G being killed, and they told us of Lieutenant Carter's gallant behavior, and said if it had not been for his action that things would have gone pretty badly. " Had Captain Carter hastily withdrawn at the time Captain Heyl did, in the face of a sudden rush made by nearly 400 Indians, nothing then could have pre- vented the speedy massacre of every man fourteen (14) in both detachments, as the command was then distant some two or three miles saddling up. By his prompt and decisive action in skirmishing with the advance of the Indians, thus holding them in check, enough time was gained to enable the entire command to come to their relief. He directed the men not to close in or to bunch, and on no account to attempt to make a run for cover or shelter — a thousand yards or more to the rear — on 30 their worn-out horses, but to keep well deployed, to fall back slowly, and to keep up the fire. His men were armed with eight-shooting Spencer carbines. After he saw that the fire of the leading Indians, some 30 or 40, armed with single muzzle- loading rifles, had been drawn, he ordered his men to use their magazines, deliver a more rapid fire, and to bunch their shots. Thus, forty shots were given in as many seconds, directly in the face of the advancmg warriors. Five (5) Indians were known to have been killed, and a number of riderless ponies ran into the Indian lines. He had but five men, one of whom was killed, and two slightly wounded— flesh wounds— and not reported. Xn.— Awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for ''most distingmshed gallantry in action against Indians on Brazos river, Texas, October 10, 1871; in holding the left of the line with a few men dur- ing the charge of a large body of Indians, after the right of the line had retreated, and by dehvenng a rapid fire, succeeded in checking the Indians until other troops came to the rescue, while scrvmg as second Heutenant, 4th Cavalry. ' ' Received severe injury to leg while pursumg In- dians on the morning of October 10, 187 1. Pursuit of Indians up Canon Blanco, October 10-12, 1 87 1 Ordered to assist officer in command of rear- guard in pushing forward all men dismounted by stam- pede on the night of October 9, who were begmnmg to fall out and straggle. , ^ u Terrific weather of rain ad sleet on night of October 12 and midnight skirmish with large body of Indians which had been followed during the day, during which some abandoned ponies and property had been picked up. 31 Rode from October 10-15 with leg in splints on ac- count of injury received on the morning of October 10; splints removed on October 15. Skirmish in Canon Blanco October 16, in which two Indians were killed, one man severely wounded, supposed to be mortal, and General Mackenzie wounded in leg by an arrow. XX. — Saves the Entire Command again from Stampede. While officer of the day and lying with the ad- vance picket outposts on the night of October 18, along the back trail, he again, by his vigilance, saved a stampede of all the horses of the command, which were somewhat huddled in a contracted space, by promptly advancing the pickets, firing upon some Indians who were creeping in for this purpose, and driving them off until supported from the main com- mand. XIV. Selected October 20 by General Mackenzie to go on a reconnoissance for the purpose of finding the trail of the stampeded horses that were driven out of camp by the Indians on the morning of Oc- tober 10, 187 1. XV. Selected by General Mackenzie to command all of the dismounted men, about 70, and to take charge of all the worn-out, sick and disabled animals, and ordered to the vicinity of old camp at Cottonwood Springs, near the supply camp for this purpose, where he remained from October 24 until November 10, besieged in camp by an immense pack of wolves at- tracted by buffalo meat. Snow, rain and sleet; lost many horses — abandoned and shot and frozen at the picket line. XVI. Selected again, November 29 to December 9, 187 1, by General Mackenzie, under special written and verbal instructions, which were practically carte 32 blanche orders, without regard to time, place or dis- tance marched, to pursue deserters who were leaving the regiment in swarms — ten having deserted No- vember 29 from one troop — owing to the exceptionally hard service which had been demanded of them since April. He and his non-Qommissioned officers were ordered to wear citizens' clothes, secure the assistance of the civil authorities, and, if necessary, to go to Galveston, Texas, or by boat and rail to New Orleans and New York. XVII. — Received Special Letter of Thanks from Major-Gen eral J. J. Reynolds, Commanding Department of Texas : " Headquarters Department of Texas, "Office of Assistant Adjutant-General, "San Antonio, Texas, January 4, 1872. "Second Lieutenant Robert G. Carter, 4th Cavalry, ("Through Headquarters Fort Richardson, Texas.) "Sir: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of your report of the 9th ultimo, relative to your pur- suit of deserters, under Special Orders, No. 280, Fort Richardson, Texas, dated November 29, 187 1, which resulted in the capture of ten deserters. "The Department Commander desires me to express to you his gratification at your success, and his special commendation for the zeal and ability displayed by you. "The good conduct and faithful services of the en- listed men composing the detachment and Mr. Rhoads, citizen guide, is deemed a proper subject for a letter of commendation to the Post Commander. " I am, sir, very respectfullv, your obedient servant, " (Signed) H. CLAY WOOD, A ssistant A djutant-General . ' ' 33 XVIIL — Received the Personal ** Thanks and Con- gratulations '* of General Mackenzie, besides being warmly compli- mented not only by himself but by Gen. James H. Hardie, then Inspector General, U. S. Army, who hap- pened to be at Fort Richardson, Texas, at the time, for the capture of ten deserters during a terrible "sleeting norther" of several days' duration and of unprece- dented severity, during which the mercury was io° below zero and the country was covered with snow and ice. TVU w**-* a. vti.(u a| 5.00 w.\Xe.«. XIX. Ascertaining upon his return that two con- stables of Weathersford, Texas, under pretence of being detectives with authority to make arrests, had held up these deserters at the muzzle of their shot-guns, and then released them upon payment of a large sum of money, although worn out and almost exhausted from cold and the strain of night and day riding with- out sleep, he sought out these robbers, and placing them under arrest conducted them into the town, where he placed them under bonds, together with another citizen who had conveyed these deserters in a close wagon down the country, for their appearance in court when indicted. Upon learning also that the deserters had sold their carbines, he left the trail, and finding that the ranch- man who had received them, after concealing the arms, had fled, he compelled him by threats to deliver these carbines to the commanding officer at Fort Richardson the following morning. This is believed to be the most complete capture of deserters, and punishment of all concerned, ivith recovery of all property belonging to the United States, and under stress of extraordinary hardship and privation, on record in the Department of Texas. 34 XX. Again selected by General Mackenzie, Decem- ber 13, to capture another deserter known to be some- where in the Keechi valley, which he succeeded in doing after a very hard ride that same day, and was again personally thanked and warmly commended for this special service by the commanding officer. Post Adjutant of Fort Richardson, Texas, January 2-13, 1872. On a scout to the Government saw-mill, January 13-15, 1872. XXI. On a scotit from January 16 to January 23, 1872, being again selected by General Mackenzie, and acting under special orders (No. 11) of the Post and verbal instructions of commanding officer, to Decatur, Texas, the Government saw-mills, and along the valley of Big Sandy Creek to near Ball's Ranch to head off a large war party of Indians believed to be near that point. He was given picked men from several troops for that piu'pose. He struck their trail, but lost it in a blinding snowstorm, after driving them out of the country by his close pursuit, and saving the citizens of Decatur and vicinity from what might have been a most serious raid upon the settlements. One Indian was killed by the sheriff and party acting with his command, who brought in his scalp. XXII. In command of escort to General Mackenzie and other officers to Fort Sill, Indian Territory, by his. General Mackenzie's, special request, March 2 to April 2, 1872. This was over a country continually infested by bands of Kiowa and Comanche Indians from the Fort Sill Reservation, and during a raid to the immediate vicinity of Fort Richardson, Texas, by a war party of Indians, the settlers having killed one on the morning of April 2 and left him on the trail. XXIII. With troop guarding Whaley's Ranch, near Red river, from May 7 to 19, 1872. This ranch was continually menaced by numerous bands of Indians from the Fort Sill Reservation. While there cap- tured two notorious cattle and horse thieves, who were sent into Fort Sill under guard. Upon returning to Fort Richardson the rearguard was attacked by Indians with a view of capturing some of the mules. They were driven off after a brief skirmish, in which no losses occurred, when the Indians scattered and upon being pursued their trail was lost on rocky ground. XXIV. Witness before the U. S. District Court at Tyler, Texas, by order of the Department Commander, in the case of the three citizens apprehended at the time of the capture of the deserters and indicted. Marched the entire distance, over 300 miles, from Fort Richardson to Tyler and return from May 22 to June 16, 1872; on the return, ascertaining that Indians were in the country, rode to Fort Richardson with the detachment deployed ready for instant action. XXV. Selected by special order of General Macken- zie, June 22, 1872, to take charge of 125 recruits for drill and assignment to the 4th Cavalry. XXVI. Selected to command escort to seven mili- tary prisoners and one insane man, and conduct them to the State penitentiary. Baton Rouge, La., and re- turn, from July 10 to August 23, 1872; marched to Corsicana, Texas, and by rail and boat to New Orleans, thence by boat to Baton Rouge; same transportation on the return, marching from Dallas to Fort Rich- ardson, Texas. XXVII. With troop from September 4 to September 26, 1872, as escort to the Kiowa War Chiefs, Satanta and Big Tree, prisoners from the State penitentiary, Huntsville, Texas; from Dallas, Texas, to Fort Sill, Indian Territory, for a conference with the Indian Commissioners. Their destination was subsequently changed by a dispatch sent by the commanding of- ficer at Fort Sill by the famous scout, Stillwell, who 36 intercepted the command on the night of September II at Denton Creek, after kilHng his horse by the effort. The letter stated that there were over 3,000 hostile Indians in from their camps, and fearing a collision and the possible massacre of both commands should Satanta be brought there as a prisoner in irons and then removed, he urged that they be taken to Atocha, Indian Nation (terminus of the M. K. and T. R. R.)- As there was no wire nearer than Dallas, on the advice and good judgment of Captain Carter, approved by the scout, the order was dis- obeyed, and the route of march changed. This action was heartily approved later by the Department Com- mander, who warmly commended such a course where circumstances had rendered the orders given practically inoperative. The combined commands would have aggregated but about 300 men, and the Indians were then in an ugly mood. Acting Regimental Adjutant by order of General Mackenzie from September 26 to November i, 1872. Post Adjutant from November i to December 11, 1872. XXVIII. Transferred by order of General Macken- zie, Special Order No. 288, Headquarters Post of Fort Richardson, December 11, 1872, from Troop E to Troop A, to command the latter, "for the good of the regiment, ' ' the captain and first lieutenant being absent on detached service, although the second lieu- tenant, commanding the troop was present for duty. This order was confirmed and the transfer made per- manent by the War Department by Special Order, No, 24, January 30, 1873. XXIX. On march changing station from Fort Richardson, Texas, to Fort Clark, Texas, from March 4 to April I, 1873, a distance of 425 miles. On this long march he was detached from his troop and selected as quartermaster. There were five troops 37 of cavalry, and the route was over a rough country, with women and children, and with an insufficient amount of old, broken down transportation. XXX. — Received the Thanks of the State of Texas through its Legislature in Joint Assembly in the following Language: "Whereas reliable information has been received that General Ronald Mackenzie of the U. S. Army, with the troops under his command did on the 19th day of May, 1873, cross the Rio Grande into the Re- public of Mexico and inflict summary punishment upon a band of Kickapoo Indians, who, harbored and fostered by the Mexican authorities, have for years past been waging a predatory warfare upon the fron- tier of Texas, murdering our citizens, carrying their children into captivity, and plundering their property : therefore, ''Resolved by the Senate of the State of Texas, the House concurring, That the grateful thanks of the people of our State, and particularly the citizens of our fron- tier, are due to General Mackenzie and the troops under his command for their prompt action and gallant con- duct in inflicting well merited punishment upon these scourges of our frontier. ''Resolved, That his Excellency the Governor be, and he is hereby, requested to forward a copy of these resolutions to General Mackenzie and the officers and troops under his command. " Officially signed by the Governor of Texas, and certified to by all the State officials. Copy trans- mitted to General Mackenzie and the officers and men of the 4th U. S. Cavalry. This for an action with a large body of confederated Lipan, Kickapoo and 3S Mescalero Apache Indians near Rey Molina, Mexico, May 19, 1873. This is beHeved to be the only instance in the history of this country where a sovereign State, through its legislature, ever tendered a joint resolution of thanks to a cavalry command for its services in exterminat- ing Indians from its frontier. From that time West- em Texas was free from Indian depredations which permitted the free and unrestricted flow of immi- gration from other States, and the consequent advance of civiHzation to its most remote borders. This march was one of concentration, and for the invasion of foreign territory, under certain implied authority from the Secretary of War and the General of the Army; the crossing of troops into an adjacent republic, even in the pursuit of Indians, not then hav- ing been covered by treaty. Had any sick, wounded or exhausted oflicer of the command fallen out or been left behind for any cause, his life would have been forfeited and he would have been hung as a felon. Most of the men had been without sleep three and four nights, and it required almost ceaseless vigilance on the part of the worn-out officers to prevent them from falHng asleep and dropping from their saddles from exhaustion. Every effort was made by the Mexi- can authorities and Indians to cut off or ambuscade the command upon its return march to and across the Rio Grande. XXXI. This was a ride of 159 miles in 32 marching hours, day and night marching, with five troops of cavalry, a part of the distance with a loaded pack train, and on the return with prisoners, women and young children, a herd of captured ponies, driven loose, and one desperately wounded man who died from exhaustion and the shock of amputation shortly after the river was crossed. 39 This was accomplished with the loss of but one pri- vate horse, and three men wounded, one of whom died. Three villages, with all their accumulated plunder, were destroyed; nineteen (19) dead warriors were found and counted, although many more were ac- knowledged to have been killed. Costilietos, the principal chief of the Lipans, and 40 women and chil- dren were captured, besides 65 ponies and other stock belonging to ranchmen living near Fort Clark, Texas. This is recorded as one of the greatest long distance rides ever made by a cavalry command in that period of time and under similar conditions. XXXIL — Mentioned in General Orders of Major- General C. C. Augur for " Gallant and Success- ful Attack ** in the Action at Remolina, Mexico, May J9, J873, and "The thanks and congratvdations for the very hand- some manner in which you (they) accomplished your (their) perilous and difficidt work." "General Orders No. 6, Headquarters Department of Texas, San Antonio, Texas, June 2, 1873." XXXIII. Mentioned in General R. S. Mackenzie's report : "All the officers acted very handsomely Sind deserve consideration.'' " Headquarters, 4th U. S. Cavalry, Fort Clark, Texas, May 23, 1873." Saves the life of another officer of the 4th Cavalry. XXXV. Captain Carter is credited by all old of- ficers of the regiment, but especially by two officers who were eye witnesses of the act, with saving the life of Captain Clarence Mauck, 4th Cavalry (afterwards 40 major, 9th U. S. Cavalry), now dead, in the action of Remolina, Mexico, under the following circumstances, as stated in a letter written by Captain and Brevet- Major William O'Connell, 4th Cavalry, now dead : "I heard a good deal of your conduct during our action (May 18, 1873) in Mexico: that you killed two or three Indians. "After the fight we congregated, and one Indian rode up and pointed his gun at Captain Mauck, and would have shot him only for yourself and Corporal Linden. You fired at the Indian, afterwards Linden, and, as he dropped from the saddle his gun went off. By your timely action you saved the life of Captain Mauck. " You always bore a high reputation for great courage and high mindedness.'" Col. John A. Wilcox, U. S. Army, retired, then cap- tain 4th Cavalry, states: ' ' I distinctly recollect the captured Indian you speak of being brought into camp by the Seminole scout; his efforts to shoot Captain Mauck, and his being killed on the spot. Many discharged their pieces, and you among the rest. I was standing within ten feet of this Indian when he was shot. " This Indian, in the belief that he had been betrayed, upon finding himself a prisoner, and while still mounted and not disarmed, levelled his rifle and pulled trigger upon Captain Mauck at a distance of less than ten feet, the muzzle almost touching his breast. Captain Carter's shot, which was almost simultaneous with the Indian's, had the effect of throwing up the muzzle of 41 the latter's rifle at the moment of discharge, and he dropped dead from the saddle. XXXVI. Ordered b}?- General Mackenzie to take half of Troop A and round up the ponies, which he did, capturing nearly all of them that were brought in. XXXVII. Returning with the captured herd was fired into at short range by a party of Indians concealed by long grass and tall flags, under the bank of a small stream; killed three Indians and wounded one; cap- tured the balance, who proved to be several squaws and young girls, and brought them in. XXXVIII. Col. E. B. Beaumont, U. S. Army, re- tired, then captain, 4th Cavalry, states : ' ' When I came up you were in the act of firing a pistol or carbine * * * ^^d you cautioned me not to ride so close. * * * I do not know, of course, when you ran into this party * * * you had a reputation in the 4th Cavalry second to none in the regiment for bravery and efficiency, and maintained your high standing in the action of Remolina. * * * Your discovery of this party of Indians resulted in the capture of several. " XXXIX. — Brevet Captain, U. S. Army, for Gallant Services in Action against Kickapoo, Lipan and Mescalero Indians at Remolina, Mexico, May J8, 1873. So much confidence did General Mackenzie have in the good judgment and discretion of Captain Carter that he sent for him at midnight, several weeks before he determined to punish these Indians, and, in the absence of his adjutant, confided to him, under a pledge of secrecy, all his plans. He stated that he was going to cross the Rio Grande without any other 42 than implied authority, and that he might be court- martialed, especially in event of failure, and he then dictated to Captain Carter all the correspondence necessary to the success of this great raid. Until the river was reached and the command was about to cross, no other officer in the 4th Cavalry, not even his adjutant or his trusted quartermaster, the late Major- General H. W. Lawton, knew of the ob- jective of this expedition. Following this raid. Captain Carter was on numerous scouts, in grazing camps, guarding surveying parties, on boards, courts, etc. XL. He was specially selected by General Mac- kenzie as quartermaster of a horse board, from May 30 to July 4, 1873, for the purchase of 100 horses for the regiment. These horses were obtained at a point 60 miles below San Antonio, near Helena, Texas, and were driven loose, barefooted, and entirely unbroken direct from the pastures, a distance of nearly 200 miles, to Fort Clark, without the loss of a single horse. First Lieutenant, 4th Cavalry, February 25, 1875. In the action with Comanche Indians on the morn- ing of October 10, 1871, during an attempt to dislodge a party of sharpshooters posted on a precipitous and rocky bluff, and while going at full speed along a very winding, zigzag buffalo trail which led up to their position, his horse stumbled and fell in such a way as to crowd his leg against an overhanging jagged rock and badly injured it; he fainted in the saddle, but, by clasping his arms about his horse's neck he was car- ried to the crest of the bluff, where he was restored to consciousness by his men, and soon continued on in pursuit of the Indians, although in great pain. 43 As soon as the fighting ceased. Dr. Rufus Choate, then acting assistant surgeon, U. S. A., and with the command, examined the wovind; he found the skin broken, and the leg badly lacerated, besides much swollen and bruised from the ankle to the knee. He expressed the opinion that the leg might be broken, but as the column was just then moving out and up the canon, still in pursuit, he could only give it a hasty examination. After cutting the boot leg down and giving it a cold water dressing he put it in splints until he could determine later whether it was broken or not. Captain Carter rode the remainder of that day for a distance of fifteen miles along a rough trail up the canon, part of the time marching dismounted. The following morning General Mackenzie, having had the circumstances reported to him, gave Captain Carter the choice of returning to the supply camp, some sixty miles distant, on duty in conducting the dismounted men, whom it was decided to send back to that point, or of continuing with the command. He chose the latter, and for five or six successive days marched in pursuit of this band of Indians, across the staked plains in the direction of Fort Bascom, New Mexico, and return, with his leg still in splints and bandaged, while suffering intense pain From a lack of knowledge of the results which such an injury might produce, and his failure, owing to a pressure of duties during that exciting period of Indian outbreaks, to consult competent medical or surgical authority as to the probable outcome of the same, he performed the hardest kind of cavalry service in the field for a period of several years without surgical ad- vice, palliative treatment or surgical interference, and until this injury progressed to a stage where it became a serious, and what appeared to be a permanent dis- ability. 44 At the urgent request of General Mackenzie he was granted a special sick leave of absence, and advised to consult the most skillful surgeons in the country with a view to his ultimate cure, and afterwards, in an interview with Gen. W. T. Sherman, then commanding the army, giving him a complete statement of Captain Carter's case, he urged that in event of his securing surgical reHef he desired to retain him in the regiment, not only because he was too valuable an officer to lose- on account of his services to him and to his command, but because of his (General Mackenzie's) personal lik- ing and regard for him. Although he further urged upon General Sherman that he be given a transfer to some other corps, as he was in no way disabled for effective service in the staff departments, being temporarily incapacitated only for duty in the cavalry and infantry in the field under conditions of Indian war. General Sherman stated that as there was no law or precedent he then knew of that would permit such a transfer, unless Captain Carter could return to his regiment for full field duty, while he regretted it, he would be com- pelled to go on the retired Hst. He had already ex- ceeded his limit of strength, as shown by the official certificates of the medical officers, and any further such hard service as he had already undergone would im- peril his life. Antiseptic surgery was then unknown. The best surgical authority in the country had advised against the danger by operation of any of the crude methods then in common use, and the disabihty. having pro- gressed to a point where it became a continual menace to his life, through a breaking down and enlargement of the internal saphenous vein, he was compelled to go before a retiring board. 'I'his board, after pronouncing him "temporarily 45 incapacitated," and recommending these uncertain operations, changed its finding to "permanent dis- quahfication" upon receiving a certificate from the Massachusetts general hospital stating that no opera- tion then known would effect a radical cure and would imperil his life. Upon this certificate he was retired, June 28, 1876. For a period of more than 25 years he was never free from pain or danger to his life, yet he never murmured or complained, and he still con- tinued to actively engage in all the mental pursuits that were open to him. XLI. General Mackenzie, a major-general command- ing a cavalry corps in the field during the Civil War, who distinguished himself on many battle-fields, was wounded three times, and of whom General Grant said in his Memoirs, "He is one of the most promising young officers in the Army, ' ' writes to Captain Carter just before his retirement as follows : " My Dear Carter: I spoke of your case * * * to General Sherman yesterday and will bring the matter up again before I leave. Yoti do not know how sorry, Carter, I am to lose you from the regiment. * * * Be- lieve me to be, very truly, your friend. " XLII. Major-General H. W. Lawton states: "Lieutenant Carter was one of General Mackenzie's most trusted and efficient officers. I have often heard him speak of Lieutenant Carter to that effect. He is one of the most thorough, honorable and upright men I have ever known." He was an active, courageous soldier, an excellent disciplinarian, and a favorite of General Mackenzie. " 46 Summary. As has been shown, Captain Carter was selected many times by General Mackenzie for important duties and the most arduous services, when he was not for regular detail in the line of such duties, and while his brother officers were performing the ordinary routine garrison and field duties of a cavalry command. At such times he was acting under his special verbal instructions for this work in the field. This, as has also been shown, was on account of the confidence General Mackenzie had in Captain Carter's ability and special fitness for such duties, in the performance of which he was uniformly suc- cessful. The only reward he ever received for this kind of extra hard work, which resulted in breaking him down, was what has been noted in this record : The "Medal of Honor," two brevets, one for ''specially gallant conduct,'' "The Grateful Thanks of the State of Texas, " a complimentary letter of thanks from the Department Commander for the capture of deserters, under circumstances of great peril and extraordinary hardship, the statements contained in several of General Mackenzie's letters, "I am sincerely sorry to lose you from the regiment," etc., and by his warm com- mendations for such special service; and finally the complimentary testimonials and voluntary commenda- tions from Gen. H. W. Lawton and his brother officers to show his high standing in the 4th Cavalry and substantiating all that is claimed in this record. XLIII. Captain Carter had, at the time he was retired, the best service record of any officer of the 4th Cavalry, and one of the best of any officer of the entire army. Of the 565 officers of the Regular Army, now living (1904), who were bre vetted during the Civil War and since, only twelve are shown to have received two 47 brevets for gallantry in separate actions with Indians, and he is among that number; and he is the only officer of that number, or in the entire list of 565 Civil War and Indian brevets, who was brevetted for "specially gallant conduct " in action against Indians, This is because it is clearly shown by his record that he not only saved the lives of his own men but the lives of the officer and men who fled and left him to be massacred. Of the twelve referred to as brevetted twice for actions against Indians, five only received the Con- gressional Medal of Honor, and he was one of that five. The "Medal of Honor" and "The Grateful Thanks of a Sovereign State," besides being officially credited with the saving of three valuable lives, two of whom were captains of his own regiment and one a young lady, now the wife of a rear-admiral of the U. S. Navy, besides the lives of eleven men, five of whom were the best men in the 4th Cavalry — all these acts ought alone to confer upon an officer with his record, some- thing more than the rank of a first lieutenant and brevet captain, U. S. Army, on the retired list at 58 years of age, especially if he was retired for a mis- fortune entirel}'- beyond his control, through no fault of his own, and by an error of judgment of the retiring board, and in addition has since been relieved of that disability by skillful surgical operations ivhich could not be performed at the time he was retired. 48 .:'^