Thomas Henry Carter (soldier) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Thomas Henry Carter
|
|
|---|---|
Thomas Henry Carter
|
|
| Born | June 13, 1831 King William County, Virginia |
| Died | June 2, 1908 (aged 76) |
| Buried |
Hollywood Cemetery, Richmond, Virginia
|
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–65 (CSA) |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Thomas Henry Carter (born June 13, 1831 – died June 2, 1908) was a soldier who served in the Confederate States Army. He was an officer in charge of artillery, which means he commanded big guns. His group of cannons, called a battalion, was very important during the American Civil War, especially at the Battle of Gettysburg.
Early Life and Education
Thomas Henry Carter was born on June 13, 1831, in King William County, Virginia. He was one of five children. His father was a cousin to the famous general, Robert E. Lee.
Carter went to the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) and finished in 1849. He then studied medicine. He earned medical degrees from the University of Virginia in 1851 and the University of Pennsylvania in 1852. However, he never worked as a doctor. Instead, he went back home to manage his family's large farm, called Pampatike, after its manager passed away.
Serving in the Civil War
Carter joined the army in June 1861. This army later became known as the Army of Northern Virginia. He started as a captain, leading a group called the King William Artillery.
In July 1862, his younger brother, Julian Carter, was killed in a small fight near Malvern Hill. Thomas Carter himself was hurt in the foot at the Battle of Sharpsburg.
In December, he was promoted to major. Then, in April 1863, he became a lieutenant colonel. By the time of the Gettysburg Campaign in 1863, Carter was in charge of an artillery battalion. His cannons helped push back the Union Army's First Corps. His guns also supported a famous attack called Pickett's Charge on July 3.
In March 1864, Carter was promoted to colonel. He stayed with the Army of Northern Virginia during the Overland Campaign. Later that year, he temporarily became the chief of artillery for General Jubal A. Early during the Valley Campaigns. Carter fought in several important battles, including the Battle of Cedar Creek.
Life After the War
After the war ended, Thomas Carter returned to his family farm, Pampatike. This farm was located near the Pamunkey River in eastern Virginia. He lived there with his wife, Susan, and their three young children.
Carter continued to farm the land. His wife also ran a school at their home. In the late 1870s, Carter became the first railroad commissioner in Virginia. He held this job for several years. In the late 1880s, he worked for a few years on the board of a railway and steamship group. In his final years, Carter worked for the University of Virginia. He was in charge of the school's grounds and buildings.
His Final Years
Thomas Henry Carter passed away in 1908. He was buried in Hollywood Cemetery in Richmond, Virginia.
