february january united_states_army brigadier general recipient medal honor actions american indian wars dropped college enlist union_army beginning american civil war enlisted soldier commissioned officer following year american civil war participated fourteen campaigns primarily 6th regimental commander 5th end civil war held rank lieutenant colonel colonel volunteers received commission lieutenant carpenter received medal honor actions indian wars serving 10th noted times gallantry official dispatches civil war transfer east served primarily western frontier engaged native american tribes dealt types explored vast areas territory texas arizona spanish american war commanded occupation force military governor cuba continuous years service country retired army october brigadier general retirement speaker writer early life family direct descendant great great great grandson notable immigrant november sussex england april philadelphia pennsylvania came america early way barbados eldest son children born 2nd mary carpenter born new_jersey family moved philadelphia attended attended philadelphia started attending younger brother served union army private later commissioned second lieutenant later lieutenant captain major volunteers military service american civil war july junior year carpenter dropped joined fighting sixth cavalry regiment private union_army later known army carpenter trained infantry soldier capable riding horse battlefield mounted scout horse soldier carpenter like steep learning curve proved difficult frustrating year conflict participated chased went completely union_army june caused great psychological concerns union cavalry commanders men horse soldiers far second best compared confederate cavalry rapid expansion east chaotic beginning civil war officers elected men appointed politically resulted commanders tools techniques pre war cavalry inadequate resulting steep learning curve costly men supplies slowly chaos came tactics leaders proved worthy challenge union horse soldiers cavalry tough proved adept mounted horseback pistols confident battle proven leaders seven days battles june july carpenter commissioned second lieutenant july actions leadership campaign series engagements better understand carpenter role military organization following brief provided details order battle initially major general major general june commanded divisions commanded following list 6th cavalry regiment documented battles engagements june july carpenter participated battle pivotal carpenter company commander july acting executive officer regiment virginia june battle station 6th right wing mill virginia june engagement near virginia june battle virginia june battle pennsylvania july battle maryland july engagement maryland july small engagement maryland july battle maryland july battle june opposing cavalry forces met near virginia confederate major general stuart surprised dawn combined arms force cavalry divisions cavalry troops including 6th carpenter company infantry stuart barely repulsed union attack required time inconclusive battle largest predominantly cavalry engagement civil war time battle proved time union horse soldiers like carpenter equal southern counterparts battle july reports slow moving confederate wagon train vicinity pennsylvania attracted attention newly commissioned ordered 6th major scout locate wagons resulting carpenter action major july field orchard sides road near union directed officers took hasty defensive positions slight ridge carpenter troops threw mounted charge 7th opened fire federal supported 6th 7th virginia charged clearing force ridge inflicting heavy losses general jones union forces pursued retreating miles gap unable eliminate quarry major wounded attack unable escape captured small groups reformed miles field action harassed virginia giving impression vanguard larger force carpenter acting executive officer regiment carpenter fight small regiment stood crack brigades stuart cavalry stand considered history helped influence outcome battles fought regiment cut pieces fought squadrons regarded advance large body troops senior officer brigades later criticized severely delayed inferior force regiment stand brigades caused problems union rear areas officers 6th escape deadly melee july private later sergeant irish immigrant serving received medal honor july actions day citation reads seized regimental flag death standard bearer hand hand fight prevented falling hands enemy commander eyewitness documented private duty behavior day carpenter second lieutenant lieutenant conduct actions time period mentioned official reports dispatches april major general appointed command newly promoted general chief lieutenant general carpenter aide camp similar today executive assistant known officer unknown influence carpenter concept deploying union cavalry effective independent roles long range raids carpenter treatise battle yellow tavern suggests influence later called richmond raid beginning overland campaign went immediate superior head told grant let loose operate independent unit defeat stuart prominent able cavalry officer south grant intrigued convinced value request battle yellow tavern major called strategic raids june late june deep july considered clear union victory defeat resulting death stuart clear raid best follow raids diverted confederate forces required deal needed despite carpenter supporters written raids caliber successful raids hindered union effort lack reconnaissance intelligence provided long carpenter served currently known carpenter mentioned personal memoirs major books lieutenant colonel carpenter promoted lieutenant september transferred department ohio accepted commission lieutenant colonel volunteers united_states colored troops 5th lieutenant colonel arrived camp nelson kentucky october majority colored slaves slaves 5th united states colored cavalry absent men field led lieutenant colonel major general preparing attack virginia 5th officially organized october battle late september led raid southwest virginia salt works near town virginia october led white troops black troops battle despite outstanding effort coloured troops raid ultimately failed quickly retreated day wounded troops black white left field battle october unknown number surrendered wounded union soldiers killed confederate regular home guard irregular soldiers special directed black troops war crime captain partisan rangers later found guilty murdering white black soldiers battle october hanged dead confederate soldiers civil war tried war crimes union forces route camp nelson brief engagement october kentucky days later carpenter faced defeated defiant union troops returned camp nelson october reports black flag behavior colored troops white officers frightened men widely reported press problems carpenter executive officer 5th charge training getting african american recruits ready combat basic drill weapon training conditioning helped build confidence carpenter faced problem non commissioned officers chosen ranks entire regiment recent slaves carpenter found difficult find men handle tasks assigned scarcely colored men enlisted regiment read write wrote carpenter captain letter carpenter solution granted superiors involved placing white non commissioned officers colored combined literacy program african american corrected problem time problem rifles issued 5th muzzle loaded infantry rifles mounted use loaded horseback carpenter taught tactics involved fighting going concept mounted infantry fight final problem white officers promoted ranks command colored troops despite efforts training carpenter attrition real solution junior officers winter raid december general ordered 5th participate raid southwestern virginia resulted engagements involved 5th kentucky december tennessee december near virginia december second battle december near virginia considered union victories division commander ordered 5th white units left flank union line lieutenant colonel second command carpenter led soldiers forward confederate defensive works opened heavy fire advancing union troops included pound rifled cannons union charge fell carpenter seen giving clear orders reform rallied men mighty 5th rushed forward break defensive line carpenter ordered men dig night fell volunteers went lines rescue wounded december morning cold rainy light fog second day began copy multiple union charges union center able breach center confederate pushed rebel counterattack carpenter led mounted rescue force colored soldiers save white soldiers trapped near cover bridge left flank carpenter attempts rescue soldiers trapped soldiers captured later afternoon released giving parole later day confederate reinforcements delivered wild rebel charge union left flank white unit adjacent 5th completely routed 5th flank threatened ordered fall carpenter tried maintain orderly retreat colored soldiers remembering murder comrades battle broke ranks rescue wounded comrades retreat threatened rout union reinforcements arrived bolstered union line night confederate forces forced retire lack ammunition day union forces buried dead helped wounded costly victory marked raid afternoon december union forces attacked virginia confederate forces overwhelmed 5th 6th entered cold vengeance outnumbered confederate forces retreated awaited promised reinforcements union forces hastily attempted destroy vital salt works destroyed boiling sheds damaged portions railroad failed destroy damage actual salt wells general claimed victory retreated virginia confederate forces completely surround carpenter role strangely missing letters documents simply note months production carpenter later wrote long letter home battle men responded ambush january colored troops company command 2nd lieutenant assigned thousand head cattle camp nelson stock yard louisville kentucky men assigned rear spread herd cattle men bringing rear january near ambushed confederate union troops able fire muzzle loaded infantry rifles powder armed shot carried quickly closed distance colored soldiers bringing rear wounded escaped harm playing dead hiding overturned wagon box forward group panicked fled hour ambush local citizens found dead wounded soldiers stretched near road soldiers later found dead wounds exposure nearby men took wounded men town men severely wounded expected live total soldiers died route louisville later determined union soldiers murdered trying surrender disarmed remainder union wounded left die freezing cold soldiers remained missing final accounting flint town ambush fled louisville authorities camp nelson carpenter immediately ordered heavy escort mounted arrived scene october took surviving wounded hospital louisville locals reported happened boasts confederate led captain murdered shot union soldiers captured mass grave located effort find missing men carpenter wrote report documented names known encouraged hunt prosecution command 5th mid february colonel regimental commander 6th promoted brigadier general volunteers moved division duties reorganization command resulted lieutenant colonel 5th took 6th carpenter took command 5th regiment 5th regiment attached 1st division district kentucky department ohio february regiment subsequently served december march later period time regiment performed scattered garrison duties reportedly hunted rebel end civil war course civil war carpenter served campaigns battles related peninsula campaign maryland campaign campaign raid rear army wilderness final battles kentucky south west_virginia reconstruction fighting stopped reconstruction began carpenter texas october reported historical sketches carpenter stayed arkansas 5th march little fighting state martial law imposed military closely supervised local government enrolled vote excluded confederate leaders period time supervised free elections tried protect office holders early versions violence carpenter men face low level civil hostility violence uneasy transition period trying peace rebels resented occupation colored soldiers carpenter saw ugly racism daily best maintain peace carpenter promoted colonel volunteers november battles 5th summary battles 5th october battles carpenter present command structure october virginia battle october kentucky engagement december kentucky engagement december tennessee flanking movement december virginia battle december virginia battle january ambush retirement 5th 5th commander colonel volunteers final regimental review march arkansas names officers men listed officially missing action presumed murdered october read final time regiment officers including carpenter discharged ceremony days men mustered regiment officially retired march official losses october march killed action died service disease wounds causes carpenter reverted rank lieutenant returned home philadelphia leave leave reported new 10th january carpenter elected companion united_states assigned insignia number indian wars frontier service 10th cavalry regiment buffalo soldiers civil war carpenter serving lieutenant volunteered cavalry duty negro troops raised 10th formed kansas african american regiment end july companies enlisted men recruited departments missouri arkansas life pleasant fort commander openly opposed african americans serving life new troops difficult sought regiment transferred subsequently received orders moving regiment kansas began morning august completed day afternoon august carpenter accepted rank captain july took command african american troops company 10th 10th regiment composed black enlisted men white officers typical era carpenter assigned newly formed july served original buffalo soldiers thirteen years near continuous conflict native americans southwest united_states carpenter dispatched philadelphia recruit non commissioned officers late summer fall efforts contributed high level veteran soldiers core non commissioned officers carpenter men respected company lowest documented rate charge known fair firm consistent learned saw understood hardships racial men faced service 10th campaigned defended ability train lead notable set standard cavalry units battle island september lieutenant colonel mounted party white scouts attacked dawn seeing viable route retreat stand river attacked force indian warriors sand island action indians primarily supported members tribe war chief killed battle dispatched simpson jack seek help fort wallace miles away able reach fort wallace rescue plans quickly rescue parties went different routes find endangered party led lieutenant colonel carpenter charge cavalry regiment relieved september shot thigh breaking leg forehead expected survive day battle beaver creek october weeks carpenter returned fort wallace survivors command ordered troops 10th cavalry forth escort major new command supplies beaver creek near carpenter supply train command attacked force indians sign present carpenter seeking defensive posture closer beaver creek advanced short period supply wagons area possible mounted fought mobile delaying action command carpenter men rushed inside took defensive firing line gap wagons entered carpenter command massive aimed repeating rifles hit waves mounted indians hit cannon filled musket balls number warriors bullet breaks returned fire nearly warriors died warriors yards wagons demise indians carpenter defense renew attack carpenter accomplished primary task sending scouts find location incident arrived fort wallace october carpenter command traveled miles week routed mounted indians delivered needed supplies new commander completed effectively professionally command gallantry fight beaver creek officers men buffalo soldiers thanked general general field order official dispatches washington captain carpenter colonel efforts september october carpenter seven 10th cavalry soldiers awarded medal honor service frontier defense 10th regimental headquarters remained fort gibson march moved state oklahoma arrived april old indian village inhabited tribe general selected site nearby military post carpenter rest ordered establish build time following month august post given fort civil war brigadier general classmate friend killed action june camp supply attacked raiding party intent stealing cavalry mounts pursued ambushed warriors carpenter troops flanked indians forcing withdraw august carpenter involved fierce attack focused destroying buildings settlement carpenter patrolled area aggressively engaged groups warriors setting prairie fires settlement different points increasingly violent assaults native americans numbers ranging different points defensive lines decisive feature engagement charge captain carpenter men routed body warriors commanding position rear defenders june 10th left elements proceeded big tree carpenter involved capture escort warrior medicine man big tree oklahoma general present fort inspection tour present colonel native american leaders tried raids train raid murder united_states civil court instead military court deny rights prisoners war tried common criminal texas near military leaders fort given written information indian agent killings raid plans arrest indians involved hidden foot main office building carpenter mounted waiting nearby sat porch reviewing situation waiting indians arrive indians came boasted told indians arrest signal given came forward pistols hand supporting pulled rifle blanket pointed ready problem quickly disarmed trigger pulled attempt escape quickly subdued carpenter mounted decided men criminals tried civil court carpenter told carpenter faced problems associated including possibility indians rescued followers angry settlers transport civilian court transport hid red blanket wagon base thumb bone allowed slip wrist sang death chant small hidden knife found separate searches stabbed driver survived falling wagon grabbed soldier mortally wounded escape attempt tried found guilty sentenced death sentences life years violated parole raiding sent state texas despair later killed presented witnesses non involvement returned reservation accepted lived sadness warrior exile later christian eventually minister baptist church chief supervised torture burning captives went converting people christ days cruel acts white man recorded concluded tales note god acts defense august carpenter involved fighting reservation fighting considered clashes carpenter sent support fort aggressive patrols engaged raiding parties relatively peaceful indians reservation targets hostile indians increasing positive status 10th sent texas established april exception carpenter troop stationed fort davis map making carpenter heavily involved campaign warrior chief band january carpenter directed scouting missions isolated bordering united_states mexico surrounding area american high desert far west texas making raids scouts helped provide reliable maps drawn areas operation finding mapping area critical step campaign attacked nearby wagon train captain carpenter pursued orders carpenter stop international border mexico colonel commander traversed hot desert narrow valleys reaching morning august mounts worn forced march miles hours resting getting water carefully placed men ambush positions carpenter cavalry troops arrived reinforcements posted reserve short distance south spring settled wait indian scouts brushed away sign presence little clock afternoon slowly approached springs danger halted men hostile sights appearing ready bolt soldiers wait opened fire initiative men scattered withdrew range people needed water believing soldiers present attacked immediately battle progressed sent warriors flank soldiers carpenter charged forward companies sent scattering canyon stunned presence strong force desperate need water repeatedly charged attempts reach spring cavalry defenders bolstered carpenter companies stood firm attempt break soldiers conducted near nightfall failed followers withdrew westward mountains carpenter companies pursuit darkness halted effort august carpenter captain second command companies headed deny source water early light day saw string wagons rounding mountain spur southeast miles distant crawling plain sent band warriors riding mountains attacked wagons held load provisions fort davis company infantry riding wagons warriors met rifle fire wagons defensive positions alerted indian scouts carpenter companies charged rescue attack warriors fled confusion southwest rejoin main force moved deeper ambush ready scattered warriors able avoid august texas_rangers indian scouts located main supply camp sierra rangers joined carpenter attack guarded carpenter attack scattered indian guards secured head cattle provisions pack animals increasing pressure short food importantly water began head south main groups august carpenter trail pursuit horses tired campaign chase slow carpenter divided command company texas_rangers route took rest command route august reached indian scouts reported crossed border mexico evening carpenter arrived later ordered rest near river october life state mexico survived warrior sister continued fighting captured miles terrain charted carpenter officers added plus miles new roads miles telegraph lines scouting expeditions took buffalo soldiers terrain documented american west excellent maps provided carpenter officers showing scarce water holes mountain passes grazing areas efforts carpenter 10th cavalry completed adverse weather limited supplies primitive equipment day alert unexpected hit run raids native american types fort commands august carpenter holding rank captain colonel served commanding officer later served period command fort june july carpenter transferred promotion major february july battlefield carpenter court absent leave previous day proved absence secretary war carpenter duties member sixth civil war neglected issue orders carpenter time allow reach 5th annual veteran reunion major carpenter commanding officer duty contingent soldiers secretary war 25th anniversary late career spanish american war carpenter served director fort riley kansas lieutenant colonel school formed basis practical instruction enabled officers men participated study duties soldier garrison camp march served president united_states_army united_states_army conducted experiment integrate indian soldiers units primary object employment utilize talents warriors dangerous tribes significant number sent fort riley starting late received training cavalry tactics classes english unfortunately probably lack patience united_states_army partly language difficulties racial discrimination experiment failed discontinued carpenter lieutenant organize command composed indians scott commanded inception release duty noted discipline native american troops disbanded soon final review director carpenter promoted lieutenant colonel july transferred august serving fort riley kansas transferred september promoted colonel stationed june commissioned brigadier general volunteers duration spanish american war general carpenter commanded 1st division commanded tampa florida later ordered cuba occupy force consisting 3rd georgia volunteers troops station cuba carpenter appointed military governor province remained capacity june discharged reverted regular army rank colonel colonel carpenter promoted october brigadier general retired day request having served years retirement retiring army carpenter went home philadelphia married children updated completed book father started family research publishing immigrant ancestor spent time writing civil war service time work known raid resulting general mortally wounded basic reference gave talks wrote articles organization composed veterans union_army served american civil war brigadier general carpenter died january home place philadelphia buried family plot new_jersey honors awards military career carpenter earned medal honor indian campaigns received promotion bravery mentioned dispatches civil war received promotion mention military dispatches indian campaigns medal honor citation rank organization captain company 10th place date indian campaigns kansas colorado september october entered service philadelphia birth date issue april citation campaigns especially combat october forced march september relief known danger largely superior forces indians military promotions private july company 6th cavalry corporal november company 6th cavalry sergeant february 6th cavalry promotions carpenter received series promotions gallantry service ranks lieutenant july captain united_states september winchester virginia major united_states march gallantry lieutenant colonel united_states march service civil war colonel united_states october kansas indian wars lieutenant colonel october colonel november 5th brigadier general known commands commanded 5th colored cavalry regiment commanded fort davis west texas nebraska virginia director kansas appointed revise cavalry tactics commanded fort texas command spanish american war military governor cuba clubs member retrieved october society retrieved october historical society retrieved october philadelphia pennsylvania retrieved october
Louis H. Carpenter