Guy Carleton (general) 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 |
| 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 dedicated officer in the United States Army. He became a Major General and is best known for leading Camp Wadsworth and the 96th Division during World War I.
Carleton graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1881. He joined the Cavalry and served in the western United States during the last of the American Indian Wars. He also fought in the Spanish–American War, the Philippine-American War, and the Veracruz Expedition. During World War I, he commanded several important training camps and divisions, including Camp Zachary Taylor in Kentucky, Camp Wadsworth in South Carolina, and Camp Kearny in California. After the war, he helped manage the process of sending soldiers home from Camp Lewis in Washington.
Carleton retired from the army in 1921 after working in the Inspector General's Department in San Francisco. He passed away in San Antonio, Texas, in 1946 and was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Guy Edward Carleton was born in Austin, Texas, on September 9, 1857. His parents, William and Elizabeth Carleton, were from England and moved to the United States in 1834. William Carleton fought for Texas in the Texas Revolution, including the Battle of Goliad. Later, he became a journalist in New Orleans before returning to Austin. He used land he received for his military service to start a newspaper called the Austin Rambler.
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 and bookkeeper for the Austin Street Railway Company.
In 1877, Carleton was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated in 1881, ranking 17th out of 53 students.
Start of His Military Career
Serving in the Indian Wars
Carleton wanted to join the Cavalry, which was the part of the army that rode horses. He became a second lieutenant in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment. He served on the frontier during the final years of the American Indian Wars. His assignments included Fort Assinniboine, Fort McGinnis, and Fort Custer in Montana, and Fort Coeur d' Alene in Idaho from 1881 to 1886. From 1886 to 1889, he taught military science at the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas.
After his time at Texas A&M, Carleton returned to the 2nd Cavalry. He served briefly in Fort Walla Walla, Washington, and Arizona. Then he moved to Fort Wingate, New Mexico, where he stayed until 1895. From 1895 to 1897, he helped recruit new soldiers in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After that, he rejoined the 2nd Cavalry at Fort Riley, Kansas. From April to July 1898, he was in charge of Troop L, 2nd Cavalry.
The Spanish–American War
On July 1, 1898, Carleton was promoted to captain and joined the 10th Cavalry in Huntsville, Alabama. After more training in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, his regiment went to Cuba in the spring of 1899. Carleton's troop patrolled the Province of Santiago. He then commanded the District of Campechuela before his troop moved to Manzanillo.
When he returned to the United States in early 1900, the 10th Cavalry patrolled the border between Texas and Mexico. Carleton was praised for helping soldiers get along better with the local people while he commanded the garrison at Fort Ringgold.
The Philippine-American War
After more training at Fort Sam Houston from September 1900 to April 1901, the 10th Cavalry went to the Philippines. They served in the Gandara Valley on the island of Samar. Carleton's unit helped destroy a rebel camp at Blanca Aurora, which helped end the fighting in the Gandara Valley.
Carleton commanded the 2nd Squadron of the 10th Cavalry. Later, he worked in the army's Paymaster's Department in Manila, handling soldiers' payments. He continued this work at Fort Sam Houston.
Later Military Career
From Captain to Lieutenant Colonel
In late 1905, Carleton was assigned to the 13th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Riley, Kansas. He was promoted to major in the 13th Cavalry in 1906. Then, he returned to the Philippines with the 4th Cavalry Regiment, serving on the island of Jolo.
He came back to the United States with the 4th Cavalry and served at Fort Meade in South Dakota. He commanded the 3rd Squadron, 4th Cavalry, until he went to advanced military training at Fort Leavenworth's School of the Line. After finishing that course, Carleton attended the United States Army War College. After graduating, he stayed there as an instructor. In 1912, Carleton was promoted to lieutenant colonel and joined the 3rd Cavalry Regiment. He then patrolled the Texas-Mexico border with his regiment. He later commanded the army post at Eagle Pass, Texas, and then the Brownsville District.
From Lieutenant Colonel to Colonel
In 1914, Carleton was assigned to the Port of Galveston, Texas. His job was to arrange transportation for soldiers, animals, and equipment going to the Veracruz Expedition in Mexico. In 1916, Carleton was promoted to colonel and joined the Inspector General's Department in San Francisco. From October 1916 to early 1917, he worked with the Inspector General's Department in the Philippines.
World War I Service
When World War I began, Carleton was promoted to temporary brigadier general. He was put in charge of Camp Zachary Taylor in Kentucky and the 159th Depot Brigade, which helped organize new soldiers.
In late 1918, Carleton became a temporary major general. The War Department offered him a choice: go to France to possibly lead the 4th Division, or take command of Camp Wadsworth in South Carolina and the 96th Division. Carleton chose Camp Wadsworth, hoping to train the 96th Division and then lead them into battle in France. However, the Armistice in November ended the war, so new soldiers were no longer needed in France, and the 96th Division was disbanded.
After World War I
In 1919, Carleton took command of the 16th Division at Camp Kearny, California. This division was being prepared for possible service in Siberia. However, the 16th Division was not needed there, so Carleton oversaw its disbandment. He then commanded Camp Lewis and the 166th Depot Brigade, where he helped manage the process of sending soldiers home after the war.
After finishing his duties, Carleton returned to his permanent rank of colonel. He commanded the 10th Cavalry Regiment in Arizona. He then served again with the Inspector General's Department in San Francisco until he retired on September 9, 1921.
Awards and Recognition
Carleton received the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his excellent service as commander of 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
Retirement and Passing
In retirement, Guy Carleton lived in San Antonio, Texas. In 1930, a law was passed that allowed World War I generals to retire at the highest rank they had held. Because of this, Carleton was promoted to major general on the retired list. He passed away in San Antonio on January 8, 1946, and was buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.
Family Life
Carleton married Cora Belle Arthur in Austin on June 20, 1883. They had two daughters: Cora (1887–1958) and Nellie (1890-1962). Their daughter Cora was the first wife of Brig. Gen. Pelham Davis Glassford.
Biography
Cora Carleton Glassford wrote a book about her father called A Life in the Old Army. The original manuscript is part of her papers, which are kept at the Daughters of the Republic of Texas Library. Cora's grandson, Dr. William Guy Carleton Parke, later edited and published her biography with the title, Tales of a Frontier Cavalryman.
