Guy Carleton (United States Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Guy Edward Carleton
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From 1927's The Story of the 27th Division.
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| Born | September 9, 1857 Austin, Texas |
| Died | January 8, 1946 (aged 88) San Antonio, Texas |
| Buried |
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas
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| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1881–1921 |
| Rank |  Major General |
| Service number | 0-128 |
| Unit | Cavalry Branch |
| Commands held | Troop L, 2nd Cavalry Regiment Campechuela District, Cuba 2nd Squadron, 10th Cavalry Regiment 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment Eagle Pass, Texas Garrison Brownsville District, Texas Camp Zachary Taylor, Kentucky and 159th Depot Brigade Camp Wadsworth, South Carolina and 96th Division Camp Kearny, California and 16th Division Camp Lewis, Washington and 166th Depot Brigade 10th Cavalry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Indian Wars Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Veracruz Expedition World War I |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal |
| Spouse(s) | Cora Belle Arthur (m. 1883) |
| Relations | Two daughters Brig. Gen. Pelham Davis Glassford (son-in-law) |
Guy Carleton (born September 9, 1857 – died January 8, 1946) was a brave officer in the United States Army. He served for many years and became a Major General. He is best known for leading soldiers at Camp Wadsworth in South Carolina during World War I. He also commanded the 96th Division.
Carleton graduated from the West Point in 1881. He joined the Cavalry and fought in the last of the American Indian Wars. He also served in the Spanish–American War, the Philippine–American War, and the Veracruz Expedition. During World War I, he led several training camps and divisions. After the war, he helped send soldiers home. He retired in 1921 and passed away in 1946 in San Antonio, Texas. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Contents
Early Life and School Days
Guy Edward Carleton was born in Austin, Texas on September 9, 1857. His parents, William and Elizabeth Carleton, came from England. His father, William Carleton, fought for Texas in the Texas Revolution. This included the famous Battle of Goliad.
After the revolution, his parents moved to New Orleans. His father worked as a journalist. Later, they returned to Austin, Texas. William Carleton started a newspaper called the Austin Rambler. He was its publisher and editor until he died.
Guy was the ninth child in his family. He went to J. B. Smith School and Texas Military Academy in Austin. After school, he studied law with his older brother, Frederick. He also worked as a treasurer for the Austin Street Railway Company.
In 1877, Guy Carleton was accepted into the West Point. He graduated in 1881, ranking 17th in his class of 53 students.
Starting His Military Career
Fighting in the Indian Wars
Carleton wanted to join the Cavalry. He became a second lieutenant in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He served on the frontier during the last of the American Indian Wars. He was stationed at forts in Montana and Idaho from 1881 to 1886.
From 1886 to 1889, he taught military science at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas. After this, he rejoined the 2nd Cavalry. He served in Washington, Arizona, and New Mexico. From 1895 to 1897, he helped recruit new soldiers in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Then, he returned to the 2nd Cavalry in Kansas.
Serving in Other Wars
On July 1, 1898, Carleton became a captain. He joined the 10th Cavalry in Huntsville, Alabama. After training in Texas, his unit went to Cuba in 1899. Carleton's troop patrolled the Province of Santiago. He also commanded the District of Campechuela.
After returning to the United States in 1900, his unit patrolled the Texas-Mexico Border. Carleton was praised for improving how soldiers and civilians got along near Rio Grande City, Texas.
In April 1901, the 10th Cavalry went to the Philippines. They served on the Island of Samar during the Philippine–American War. They helped stop a rebellion in the Gandara Valley. Carleton commanded the 2nd Squadron of the 10th Cavalry. He also worked as a paymaster, handling money for the army.
Moving Up in Rank
From Captain to Colonel
In 1905, Carleton joined the 13th Cavalry Regiment in Kansas. He was promoted to major in 1906. He then returned to the Philippines with the 4th Cavalry Regiment. This time, he served on the Island of Jolo.
He came back to the United States and commanded the 3rd Squadron of the 4th Cavalry in South Dakota. Carleton then attended the School of the Line and the United States Army War College. After graduating, he became an instructor at the War College.
In 1912, Carleton became a lieutenant colonel. He joined the 3rd Cavalry Regiment and patrolled the Texas-Mexico border. He later commanded the army posts at Eagle Pass, Texas and Brownsville.
In 1914, Carleton became an embarkation officer at the Port of Galveston, Texas. He was in charge of getting troops, animals, and equipment ready for the Veracruz Expedition. In 1916, he was promoted to colonel. He then worked for the Inspector General's Department in San Francisco and the Philippines.
World War I Hero
When World War I began, Carleton was promoted to temporary brigadier general. He was put in charge of Camp Zachary Taylor in Kentucky. He also commanded the 159th Depot Brigade, which helped organize soldiers.
In late 1918, Carleton became a temporary major general. He could have gone to France to lead the 4th Division. Instead, he chose to command Camp Wadsworth in South Carolina and the 96th Division. He planned to train these soldiers and lead them into battle in France. However, the war ended with the Armistice in November. This meant new soldiers were no longer needed, and the 96th Division was sent home.
After the War
In 1919, Carleton took command of the 16th Division at Camp Kearny, California. This division was getting ready to go to Siberia. But their help was not needed, so Carleton sent them home.
He then commanded Camp Lewis in Washington. He also led the 166th Depot Brigade. Here, he helped soldiers returning from France get discharged and go home.
After his duties, Carleton returned to his permanent rank of colonel. He commanded the 10th Cavalry Regiment in Arizona. He also worked again for the Inspector General's Department in San Francisco. He retired on September 9, 1921.
Awards and Recognition
Guy Carleton received the Army Distinguished Service Medal. This award was for his excellent leadership at Camp Wadsworth and the 96th Division during World War I.
He also received several other awards, including:
- Indian Campaign Medal
- Spanish Campaign Medal
- Army of Cuban Occupation Medal
- Philippine Campaign Medal
- Mexican Border Service Medal
- World War I Victory Medal
Later Life and Family
After retiring, Guy Carleton lived in San Antonio, Texas. In 1930, a law was passed that allowed World War I generals to retire at their highest rank. So, Carleton was promoted to major general on the retired list.
He passed away in San Antonio on January 8, 1946. He was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Carleton married Cora Belle Arthur on June 20, 1883. They had two daughters, Cora (1887–1958) and Nellie (1890-1962). Their daughter Cora married Brig. Gen. Pelham Davis Glassford.
Cora Carleton Glassford wrote a book about her father called A Life in the Old Army. The original papers are kept at the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library. Her grandson, Dr. William Guy Carleton Parke, later edited and published the book as Tales of a Frontier Cavalryman.
