James Edward Carpenter
Encyclopedia
James Edward Carpenter served in the Union Army
in 1861 as a private in the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry. In 1862 he became a second lieutenant and progressed in rank to first lieutenant, captain, then a brevet major of volunteers due to gallantry. He later served his community and Philadelphia with honor as a business lawyer of high respect.
(November 4, 1649 Horsham
, Sussex
, England
- April 10, 1714 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) who came to America
in early 1683 by way of Barbados
.
James was the second eldest son of eight children born to Edward Carpenter 2nd and Anna Maria (Mary) Howey. He was born in Chesterfield
, Kent County, Maryland
and in 1843 his family moved to Philadelphia where they attended Trinity Episcopal Church in West Philadelphia.Trinity Episcopal Church, West Philadelphia, is now where the Mario Lanza Park is located. The Church once stood west of Second Street, between Catharine and Queen streets. This Church was consecrated in 1822, closed in 1908 and razed by 1917 with the new park "Queen Park" open in late 1918. The park was renamed on September 29, 1967 in memory of Mario Lanza (1921-1959) one of Philadelphia's most beloved signers and film stars. See: "Then and Now Trinity Episcopal Church" at: http://www.qvna.org/TrinityChurch.pdf
During the night of September 17/18, 1862, he was wounded seriously inside the elbow in the engagement at Philomont, Virginia
on the advance at the end of the fighting at the Battle of Antietam
.
In the early evening of May 2, 1863, he was part of the heroic, but ultimately futile, charge of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry against Confederate General Jackson's Corp flanking attack during the Battle of Chancellorsville
. His horse was shot from under him and of the five officers who rode at the head of the attacking column, he was one of only two who survived. This charge of Union Cavalry was not strong enough and only marginally slowed down the collapse of the right flank of the Union Army
Major General
Joseph Hooker
's Army of the Potomac
. Hooker had only left a token force of Cavalry with his main attack thinking they would not be needed in the woods. Hooker had sent 7,500 Cavalry troopers with Major General George Stoneman
to raid behind the Confederate line into their supply and communications. Stoneman's Raid, as it became known, ultimately failed in its main quest, but was a confidence builder for the Union Cavalry.
On June 29, 1863, he was selected and served on the staff of Brigadier General D. McMurtrie Gregg
, who was just given the command of the Second Cavalry Division, Cavalry Corps, under the reorganization by Major General George G. Meade. Brevet Major Carpenter for the next eighteen months excelled in this position providing good documentation and order.
In October 1865 he was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia.
He assisted in helping to establish the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
in Philadelphia during May 1865. Later he became a companion of that order when the concern of conflict of interest was lifted.
.
He was elected Treasurer of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
and afterwards its vice president.
In 1877 he became a vestryman of Christ Church
, a manager of Christ Church Hospital and of Christ Church Chapel. Later he was rector's warden of the Church of Ascension in Pittsburgh. He was delegate to the Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Church
.
He was the governor in the Rittenhouse Club which was known before 1873 as the Social Arts Club of Philadelphia. James was instrumental at securing the former home of James Harper
in Rittenhouse Square
which led to the renaming of the exclusive men's club.
He was chairman of the Board of Managers and one of the founders (in 1888) of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution.
He encouraged and financially assisted his brother, Brigadier General Louis H. Carpenter
in the updating of their father's genealogical family history. This valuable work was published after his death in 1912 as "Samuel Carpenter and his Descendants."
James Edward Carpenter died suddenly while visiting his daughter Mrs. Helen Mosley on August 16, 1901 in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
in 1861 as a private in the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry. In 1862 he became a second lieutenant and progressed in rank to first lieutenant, captain, then a brevet major of volunteers due to gallantry. He later served his community and Philadelphia with honor as a business lawyer of high respect.
Early life and ancestry
James E. Carpenter was a direct descendant (great-great-great-grandson) of the notable immigrant Samuel CarpenterSamuel Carpenter
Samuel Carpenter was a Deputy Governor of colonial Pennsylvania. He signed the historic document "The Declaration of Fealty, Christian Belief and Test" dated 10 September 1695; the original is in the Historical Society of Pennsylvania...
(November 4, 1649 Horsham
Horsham
Horsham is a market town with a population of 55,657 on the upper reaches of the River Arun in the centre of the Weald, West Sussex, in the historic County of Sussex, England. The town is south south-west of London, north-west of Brighton and north-east of the county town of Chichester...
, Sussex
Sussex
Sussex , from the Old English Sūþsēaxe , is an historic county in South East England corresponding roughly in area to the ancient Kingdom of Sussex. It is bounded on the north by Surrey, east by Kent, south by the English Channel, and west by Hampshire, and is divided for local government into West...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
- April 10, 1714 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania) who came to America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
in early 1683 by way of Barbados
Barbados
Barbados is an island country in the Lesser Antilles. It is in length and as much as in width, amounting to . It is situated in the western area of the North Atlantic and 100 kilometres east of the Windward Islands and the Caribbean Sea; therein, it is about east of the islands of Saint...
.
James was the second eldest son of eight children born to Edward Carpenter 2nd and Anna Maria (Mary) Howey. He was born in Chesterfield
Chesterfield
Chesterfield is a market town and a borough of Derbyshire, England. It lies north of Derby, on a confluence of the rivers Rother and Hipper. Its population is 70,260 , making it Derbyshire's largest town...
, Kent County, Maryland
Kent County, Maryland
Kent County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maryland, on its Eastern Shore. It was named for the county of Kent in England. Its county seat is Chestertown. In 2010, the county population was 20,197...
and in 1843 his family moved to Philadelphia where they attended Trinity Episcopal Church in West Philadelphia.Trinity Episcopal Church, West Philadelphia, is now where the Mario Lanza Park is located. The Church once stood west of Second Street, between Catharine and Queen streets. This Church was consecrated in 1822, closed in 1908 and razed by 1917 with the new park "Queen Park" open in late 1918. The park was renamed on September 29, 1967 in memory of Mario Lanza (1921-1959) one of Philadelphia's most beloved signers and film stars. See: "Then and Now Trinity Episcopal Church" at: http://www.qvna.org/TrinityChurch.pdf
Civil War
In 1861 he joined as a private the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry and in 1862 he was commissioned as a second lieutenant.During the night of September 17/18, 1862, he was wounded seriously inside the elbow in the engagement at Philomont, Virginia
Philomont, Virginia
Philomont is a small unincorporated rural village in western Loudoun County, Virginia. The name is derived from the Greek word philo meaning "beloved" and the French word mont or "mountain"; Philomont means "Beloved Mountain."-History:...
on the advance at the end of the fighting at the Battle of Antietam
Battle of Antietam
The Battle of Antietam , fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg, Maryland, and Antietam Creek, as part of the Maryland Campaign, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000...
.
In the early evening of May 2, 1863, he was part of the heroic, but ultimately futile, charge of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry against Confederate General Jackson's Corp flanking attack during the Battle of Chancellorsville
Battle of Chancellorsville
The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, and the principal engagement of the Chancellorsville Campaign. It was fought from April 30 to May 6, 1863, in Spotsylvania County, Virginia, near the village of Chancellorsville. Two related battles were fought nearby on...
. His horse was shot from under him and of the five officers who rode at the head of the attacking column, he was one of only two who survived. This charge of Union Cavalry was not strong enough and only marginally slowed down the collapse of the right flank of the Union Army
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
Joseph Hooker
Joseph Hooker
Joseph Hooker was a career United States Army officer, achieving the rank of major general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. Although he served throughout the war, usually with distinction, Hooker is best remembered for his stunning defeat by Confederate General Robert E...
's Army of the Potomac
Army of the Potomac
The Army of the Potomac was the major Union Army in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War.-History:The Army of the Potomac was created in 1861, but was then only the size of a corps . Its nucleus was called the Army of Northeastern Virginia, under Brig. Gen...
. Hooker had only left a token force of Cavalry with his main attack thinking they would not be needed in the woods. Hooker had sent 7,500 Cavalry troopers with Major General George Stoneman
George Stoneman
George Stoneman, Jr. was a career United States Army officer, a Union cavalry general in the American Civil War, and the 15th Governor of California between 1883 and 1887.-Early life:...
to raid behind the Confederate line into their supply and communications. Stoneman's Raid, as it became known, ultimately failed in its main quest, but was a confidence builder for the Union Cavalry.
On June 29, 1863, he was selected and served on the staff of Brigadier General D. McMurtrie Gregg
David McMurtrie Gregg
David McMurtrie Gregg was a farmer, diplomat, and a Union cavalry general in the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
, who was just given the command of the Second Cavalry Division, Cavalry Corps, under the reorganization by Major General George G. Meade. Brevet Major Carpenter for the next eighteen months excelled in this position providing good documentation and order.
Post Civil War
In early 1865, he was honorably discharged at the expiration of his term of service and returned to Philadelphia. He resumed the study of law in the office of Theodore Cuyler, Esq. (1819–1876).In October 1865 he was admitted to the bar in Philadelphia.
He assisted in helping to establish the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States
The Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, also known by its acronym MOLLUS or simply as the Loyal Legion, is a United States patriotic order, organized April 15, 1865, by officers of the Army, Navy, or Marine Corps of the United States who "had aided in maintaining the honor,...
in Philadelphia during May 1865. Later he became a companion of that order when the concern of conflict of interest was lifted.
Family
On October 17, 1867, in Philadelphia, he wed Harriet Odin Dorr (22 Jul 1842 - 24 Jan 1896). She was the daughter of Reverend Benjamin Dorr and Esther K. Odin, both of Massachusetts. James & Harriet were wed by the Rector of Christ's Church, her father. She was a descendant of Edward Dorr, who was the first of that name in America. He immigrated to New England about 1670, from the west of England, where families of the surname Dorr have long been settled in Dorsetshire. They had the following children born in Philadelphia:- Edward Carpenter IV, born August 27, 1872. He was a private in the First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry during the Spanish-American WarSpanish-American WarThe Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
of 1898. He was commissioned a second lieutenant, 2nd Artillery U.S.Army on July 9, 1898. Promoted to first lieutenant on February 2, 1901 and captain on August 14, 1903. He attended Graduate Artillery school in 1903, In 1908 he was one of the first graduates of the School of Submarine Defense and assigned to Coast Artillery Corps. He was later promoted to Major and became an assistant to the Chief of Artillery in Washington, D.C. He married Janet FitzGerald Lee.
- Helen Dalton Carpenter, born November 11, 1874. She was baptized on December 18, 1874 in Christ's Church. She married Frederick Strong Mosley.
- Grace Carpenter, born October 25, 1876. She died as an infant on May 27, 1877.
- William Dorr Carpenter, born June 26, 1879.
- Lloyd Preston Carpenter, born March 28, 1884.
Later life
He served as a second lieutenant of the First Troop Philadelphia City CavalryFirst Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry
thumb|right|300px|Captain [[Joseph Lapsley Wilson]] of the First City Troop circa 1894The First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry, also known as the First City Troop, is a unit of the Pennsylvania Army National Guard.-History:...
.
He was elected Treasurer of the Historical Society of Pennsylvania
Historical Society of Pennsylvania
The Historical Society of Pennsylvania is a historical society founded in 1824 and based in Philadelphia. The Society's building, designed by Addison Hutton and listed on Philadelphia's Register of Historical Places, houses some 600,000 printed items and over 19 million manuscript and graphic items...
and afterwards its vice president.
In 1877 he became a vestryman of Christ Church
Christ Church, Philadelphia
Christ Church is an Episcopal church located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. It was founded in 1695 by members of the Church of England, who built a small wooden church on the site by the next year. When the congregation outgrew this structure some twenty years later, they decided to erect a new...
, a manager of Christ Church Hospital and of Christ Church Chapel. Later he was rector's warden of the Church of Ascension in Pittsburgh. He was delegate to the Diocesan Convention of the Episcopal Church
Episcopal Church (United States)
The Episcopal Church is a mainline Anglican Christian church found mainly in the United States , but also in Honduras, Taiwan, Colombia, Ecuador, Haiti, the Dominican Republic, Venezuela, the British Virgin Islands and parts of Europe...
.
He was the governor in the Rittenhouse Club which was known before 1873 as the Social Arts Club of Philadelphia. James was instrumental at securing the former home of James Harper
James Harper (congressman)
James Harper was a two-term member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Pennsylvania.James Harper was born of Scots-Irish stock in Castlederg, County Tyrone, Ireland. He immigrated to the United States as a youth, and settled in Philadelphia. He married Charlotte Sloan Alford, a member of...
in Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square
Rittenhouse Square is one of the five original open-space parks planned by William Penn and his surveyor Thomas Holme during the late 17th century in central Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The park cuts off 19th Street at Walnut Street and also at a half block above Manning Street. Its boundaries are...
which led to the renaming of the exclusive men's club.
He was chairman of the Board of Managers and one of the founders (in 1888) of the Pennsylvania Society Sons of the Revolution.
He encouraged and financially assisted his brother, Brigadier General Louis H. Carpenter
Louis H. Carpenter
Louis Henry Carpenter was a United States Army brigadier general and a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions in the American Indian Wars....
in the updating of their father's genealogical family history. This valuable work was published after his death in 1912 as "Samuel Carpenter and his Descendants."
James Edward Carpenter died suddenly while visiting his daughter Mrs. Helen Mosley on August 16, 1901 in Newburyport, Massachusetts.