The Ely miner., 1930-07-25


milton, unique" is Il
much-misused word.
Consider now the careers of three
Americans and see whether or not the
characterization of unique" is aptIy
applied to them. One of them was the
only man who ever held the rank OF
rear admiral in the United States navy
and the rank of brigadier general in
the United States army. Another was
a man who, although not a native of
America. held a position in the high.
est legislative body of one American
government and then held successfully
three important offices in the eXecu-
tive department of another American
government. Even more remarkable
is the record of the third-not a ma,
tive of America. he held several i'm.
pOrtant state offices in two states, was
elected United States senator from
three different states, commanded
American troops in two wars and was
governor of an American territory.
Tennessee gave to the nation its
only admiral-general. Samuel Pow
hatan Carter was his name and he
was born in Elizabethtown. Carter
county, August 6, 1910. Educated at
Princeton but failing to graduate from
that institution, this ''landlubber" from
midshipman in the navy in 1910. Six
years later he was promoted tc the
grade of passed midshipman and as
signed to the e. s. S. Ohio.
From 1851 to 1858 he was assistant
instructor of infantry tactics at the
naval academy and was made a lieu
tenant in 1855. The next year he
served in one of Uncle Sans forgotten
wars, the expedition to China, and was
complimented for gallantry at the cap
ture of the Barrier forts near Canton.
In 1857 he was ordered again to An
napols as assistant instructor of sea-
manship where he remained until the
outbreak of the Civil war. On July
IL, 1861, Carter was temporarily trans
ferred to the War department for the
special duty of organizing troops in
his native land, eastern Tennessee.
Carter soon proved to be as able a
military as he had been naval officer.
He was appointed first colonel of the
Second Tennessee volunteers. then act
ing brigadier general of volunteers
and on May l. 1862, he received his
full commission as commander of a
brigade. His military record is filled
with action, for he was no armchair
soldier" He was at Zollicoffers de-
feat at Wild Cat, KY, in October
1861; at Mill Spring in January. 1862 /;
he commanded in the operations
against Cumberland Gap and was at
its capture on June II, 1862.
Late that year. by way of showing
his versatility, he led cavalry expe-
dition which cut the east Tennessee
railroad. destroying nearly 100 miles
of track besides inflicting other dam
age which weakened the hold of the
Confederates iD that section. For this
service he received the thanks of his
commander in chief. In March, 1863,
General Carter commanded the di-
vision of the Twenty-third army corps
and led the advance when General
Burnside marched to the occupation
of east Tennessee.
AS a cavalry leader Carter distin-
guished himself particularly. On Au-
gust IS, 1868, he defeated that match
less Confederate horseman, Gen. John
III. Morgan, and the next day repeated
his success against General Smith,
He was present at the siege Of Knox
vile in December of that year and la.
ter commanded a division under Gen.
John Schofield in the North Carolina
campaign of 1865. On March 13. 1865,
Carter was brevetted major general.
and was mustered out of the army in
January, 1866.
He Immediately returned to the
navy, having by this time been pro-
NOTED to the rank of commander. He
served as commandant at the naval
academy from 1869 to 1872. having
been promoted to the rank Of captain
in 1870. He was a member of the
lighthouse hoard from 1876 to 1880.
and was promoted to commodore In
1878. In 1881 he was hOnOred by pro-
motion to the rank of rear admiral
on the retired list. this reward COM
ing as fitting climax to his eltraor-
dinary career in both branches Of
the United States service. In 1891
adm raj General Carter. truly a
unique American. died in the Capital
of t.c country he had served so well
during his life,ime of seventy-one
cealS
~ the year 1871 ship attempted
To ascend the Mississippi river to New