Civil War Union Brigadier General. After serving as a volunteer in the Aroostook and Mexican American War, he was commissioned a Major in the regular US Army in 1839. From 1851 to 1859, he served on surveying, exploring and Indian fighting expeditions with the 1st Dragoons at Fort Tejon, California. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was appointed Colonel of the 1st California Infantry and the 1st California Cavalry, in July 1861. He marched his forces to the Rio Grande, replaced General Edward R. S. Canby as commander of the Department of New Mexico. In addition to securing the territory against Confederate threat, he was ordered to establish martial law in New Mexico. By 1863, the Confederate threat was ended but his troops were engaged in fighting hostile Indians striking throughout the territory. Promoted Brigadier General in command of the 1st New Mexico Cavalry, he put a concentration of troops along the Rio Grande to subdue hostile Indian tribes. His efforts resulted in 8,000 Navajos and Mescalero Apaches surrendering in peace to the Bosque Redondo reservation. For his Indian and Civil War service, he was brevetted Major General, U.S. Army in 1866. With the postwar reduction of the Army, Carleton remained in the service and was appointed Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 4th U.S. Cavalry. He wrote numerous articles for military publications and published a book on the "Battle of Buena Vista". He died in uniform from pneumonia at age 59.
Civil War Union Brigadier General. After serving as a volunteer in the Aroostook and Mexican American War, he was commissioned a Major in the regular US Army in 1839. From 1851 to 1859, he served on surveying, exploring and Indian fighting expeditions with the 1st Dragoons at Fort Tejon, California. At the outbreak of the Civil War, he was appointed Colonel of the 1st California Infantry and the 1st California Cavalry, in July 1861. He marched his forces to the Rio Grande, replaced General Edward R. S. Canby as commander of the Department of New Mexico. In addition to securing the territory against Confederate threat, he was ordered to establish martial law in New Mexico. By 1863, the Confederate threat was ended but his troops were engaged in fighting hostile Indians striking throughout the territory. Promoted Brigadier General in command of the 1st New Mexico Cavalry, he put a concentration of troops along the Rio Grande to subdue hostile Indian tribes. His efforts resulted in 8,000 Navajos and Mescalero Apaches surrendering in peace to the Bosque Redondo reservation. For his Indian and Civil War service, he was brevetted Major General, U.S. Army in 1866. With the postwar reduction of the Army, Carleton remained in the service and was appointed Lieutenant Colonel in command of the 4th U.S. Cavalry. He wrote numerous articles for military publications and published a book on the "Battle of Buena Vista". He died in uniform from pneumonia at age 59.
Bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
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