Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1899-07-11
Turned Defeat Into Victory.

At the battle of Apache canyon near
Santa Fe Called Glorietta by the confeder-
ates). Gen Carey then captain of the 18th
Infantry, commanded one of the battalions
that gained the rear of the enemy, cap
tured ard destroyed all their ammunition,
supplies and transportation and turned the
defeat of the Union forces at the front into
a victory. The enemy. having no supplies
were forced to leave the country Thus New
Mexico and probably a large part of the
Pacific coast was saved from rebel occupa-
ton. Capt. Carey was brevetted major
March IS, 1862, for gallant and meritorious
services on that occasion.
In 1S63-6f Gen. Carey took part in the
memorable campaign against the Navajo
Indians, which resulted in their being con-
quered and lasting peace. With $50 picked
men he passed through the celebrated
Canon de Chiefly, a feat never before ac-
compished in time of war with the In
dams. Gen. Carlton, then department COM
mander, in report on the operation of the
campaign. referred to Gen. Carey's conduct
on that occasion as particularly distin-
guished-" For it he was brevetted lieuten-
ant colonel March 13. 1863.
He was chief quartermaster of the De-
partment of New Mexico for some time
and under the great difficulties attending
the Administered ton of that office in what
was then a remote section of the country
he conducted its affairs with ability and in
most efficient manner. eliciting from
Quartermaster General Meigs a personal.
letter of thanks.
He was superintendent of the volunteer
sigral service, chief mastering and dis
bursting officer and comulissary of musters
of the district of New Mexico from August
l, 1865, to August 49, 1856, from which date
he was on leave of absence and afterward
in charge of a chief commissary's office de-
partment of Dakota, until October B. 1867,
when he was appointed paymaster with the
rank OF major. He was stationed at St
Louis from November 1867, to March, 1865
and at Santa Fe from May 1868 to June
1874, the latter part OF the time being chief
paymaster Of the district. From July /,
1874, to October, 1885, he was on duty in
the office of the Pc ymaster general in this
city. Since that date he has served sue
cessively as chief paymaster of the depart
ment of California, at San Francisco; of the
department of the east, at New York city,
and Boston, Mass; of the department of
Dakota, at St. Paul, and of the department
of the lakes, at Chicago.
In January, 1899, he was transferred to
duty in this city as acting paymaster gen.
eral, and on the retirement of Paymaster
General Stanton, January 20 last, he was
appointed paymaster general with the rank
of brlgadier general. He served in that ca
pacity until May q last, when he was
granted leave of absence until the date of
his retirement.
Extensive Experience in Line and
staff.
His experience in the army covers duties
not only in the line and staff, but in almost
every department. 1t is conceded in army
circles that he has few, If any, SuperiOrS
an administrative and executive officer
OF him 1t is said that during his entire
service as paymaster he has never made
mistakes nor had accidents nor misfor-
tunes. He has never had to go to Congress
for relief of any kind and never in any
way has lost a dollar of the public money.
His character and integrity are of the
highest order and have never been assailed.
In his official life his conduct and bearing
have always been those of high-minded
and honorable soldier, rejecting credit on
the service and on the country. In civil life
Gen. Carey is an amiable, popular, cour-
teous gentleman-qualities which have nat
urally made him friends wherever he has
served.
During the war of the rebellion his COM
pany was serving in New Mexico where
the opportunities for advancement and dis
tinction were very limited. Otherwise had
his lines been cast in one of the active
armies east of the Mississippi river 1t is
likely from mis- youth, ambition and excel
lent soldiership that he would have at
tanned greater distinction before his coun-
try. As ii was. he made the most of the
possibilities of the limited field to which
he was confined.
He will be succeeded as paymaster gen.
eral by Gen. Alfred e. Bates, recently mil
itary attache of the United States embassy
at London.