William Henry Carroll facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Henry Carroll
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| Born | 1810 Nashville, Tennessee, US |
| Died | May 3, 1868 (aged 57–58) Montreal, Quebec, Canada |
| Place of burial |
Elmwood Cemetery
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| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861-1863 C.S.A. |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit |  37th Tennessee Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War - Battle of Mill Springs |
| Other work | planter, Postmaster |
William Henry Carroll (1810 – May 3, 1868) was an important figure during the American Civil War. He was a wealthy farmer who owned a large farm (called a planter), a postmaster (someone in charge of a post office), and a high-ranking officer, a brigadier general, in the Confederate States Army.
Early Life and Beginnings
William Henry Carroll was born in Nashville, Tennessee. His father, William Carroll, was a well-known general during the War of 1812. He also served many terms as the Governor of Tennessee. Before the Civil War began, William Henry Carroll led a group of soldiers called the 154th Regiment of the Tennessee Militia.
Service in the Civil War
In December 1861, Carroll was a commander for the Confederate forces in Knoxville, Tennessee. He announced that the city would be under "martial law." This meant that the military would take control of the city's rules for a short time. He then took action against people who were openly against the Confederate States. After this, he gave control back to the regular city government.
Carroll led the 2nd Brigade in the District of East Tennessee. His unit fought against Union forces led by George Henry Thomas at the Battle of Mill Springs in Kentucky on January 19, 1862.
Later, in March 1862, General Braxton Bragg, a higher-ranking commander, had concerns about Carroll's leadership. Bragg believed that Carroll was not performing his duties well. Because of these concerns, Carroll was removed from his command.
After a special review, Carroll decided to resign from the army on February 1, 1863. Since Nashville, the capital of Tennessee, was controlled by the Union army, Carroll moved to Montreal, Quebec, in Canada.
Life in Montreal
During the Civil War, Montreal was a city where people with different opinions about the American conflict gathered. Many people who supported the Confederacy, including high-ranking officials, stayed there. William Henry Carroll often spent time at the St. Lawrence Hall, a fancy hotel where many Confederates in Canada stayed.
After some time in Montreal, Carroll traveled south. He was captured near the coast of North Carolina. He was held for a short time at Fort Monroe. However, he was soon released and had to return to Montreal, Quebec.
In June 1865, Carroll and a friend met a man named Sandford Conover. They wanted to know if Conover was using a different name. Carroll later explained this meeting in detail to Andrew Johnson, who was the President at the time.
After the War
William Henry Carroll never returned to the United States. He passed away in Montreal on May 3, 1868. He is buried in Elmwood Cemetery in Memphis, Tennessee.
