Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1906-03-22
DR.. B. w. CARPENTER DEAD.
Gallant surgeon IN the Civ,I war
and wcII-known BurIinstonian.

and WcII-knowu Buriingtonian.
DR. r. W. Carpenter died at his home on
Pearl street at II 30 o'clock Tuesday
morning. lie had been in feeble health
for many years but was as well as usual
when he retired Sunday night On Mon
day morning he was found unconscious
IN his bed and from that time steadily
grew weaker until he ceased to breathe
shortly before noon Tuesday.
Benjamin Walter Carpenter was born In
Fast Randolph October 81. 1896 being a
son of DR.. Walter and Olivia Blodectt
carpenter. His father was for many
years an eminent practitioner in this city.
lIo was educated in the schools of Ran
dolph and in the medical department OF
the University OF Vermont. from which
ne graduated in 1857. DR.. Carpenter then
commenced the practice of his profession
which he continued until 1861. Tie was
appointed assistant surgeon of the second
vermont regiment, June II. 1861, and was
present in action at the battle of Bull
Kun. June u of that year. Benedict in
ms Vermont in the Civil War relates
the following incident OF him: assist
ant Surgeon Carpenter was detached from
the regiment. ny order of a superior Off
Ger. before the battle. and stationed at a
small housc ON tho turnpike. in charge of
- n1nher Of sick and disabled mon. All
of those who could walk. Joined tho re
treat Dr. Carpenter then posted himself
in tho road. pistol in hand. halted every
wagon that came along and when he could
not persuade. compelled the unwilling
drivers to take in one or moro of his sick
aud wounded mon, till all were taken. ""
| then, In company with surgeon of an
| other regiment. followed the column TO
| Ccntcrvilc. The men thus assisted meyer
forgot Thu, service rendered them by tho
| resoltte young Vermont surgeon.
! pr. Carpenter was promoted to be sur
gcon of the 9th Vermont June n, 1857
| having in the spring Of that year been
| present with the md Vermont and the
| old Vermont Brigade in action. in the
battles of Lees Mills, Williamsburg,
| Godings Farm. Savage station and
! White Oak swamp While serving with
| the 9th Vermont he was captured ana
| parollcd at Winchester. Va. lie went
| with his regiment to Camp Douglas. lust
| out of Chicago, serving as chief medical
| officer on the staff Of Col. George j. stan
| nard. With his regiment he was eNchanS-
cd January 10. 1865, and with his command
| was trans fcrrcd to the army Of the Poto-
mac in tho following March.
! Iic was present at tho scigc Of sui
folk Va. and tho campaigns of the
| Yorktown peninsula. in tho summer of
l,63 IN the fall Of tho same year, N"
was ordered to Newport Barracks. y.
g.. and WAS present in action thor"
February .. 1854. In the spring Of tho
| same yoar he was in charge Of the
brigade hospitals at Newport BARRACKS
and in tho summer and fan hc was
medical director of the second division
18th army corps. Army Of tho James.
! Dr Carpenter was stationed on the
Bermuda Hundred, Virginia front and
also on the north side Of the James
river opposite Richmond. During that
! evcntful period he was present in tho
continuous lighting on the Bermuda
| Hundred front and also in tho bat
ties of Fort Harrison and Fair Oaks,
Va In November. 1864. on accout Of
his mothers cnfoeblcd health, he left
! the service and returned to Burling-
| ton
As medical officer. DR.. Carpenter
was uncxcnlled. Probably no one in
tho profession understood the wants
| of soldiers better than he. II" was
Thoroughly alive to the interests of tho
|
| In addition to his excellent qualities
as medical officer. he was q fighter
Land was always cool and deliberate in
action. 1t was often said among his
| friends that surgeon Carpenter had
| the military instinct and at one time
| ii was rumorcd that he was to be
transferred from tho medical staff to
| servo as field officer in his rcGi-
mcnt. with tho rank of major.
When DIR. Carpenter returned from
tho war he resumed his professional
practice. although not extensively and
| about 30 years ago Went into the drug
business in partnership with f. l..
Taft in the quarters now occupied by
Mr.. Taft. DR.. Carpenter retired from
that enterprise about - years ago and
had since lived quietly with strength
gradually Diminishing
DR.. Carpenter is survived by his
stepmothcr, Mrs. -Addic r. Carpcn ter
of this city and by ono cousin, George
L. BlodSctt OF Minneapolis. MINI.