William L. Carpenter
Encyclopedia
William Lewis Carpenter, born January 13, 1844 at Dunkirk, Chautauqua County
, New York
, died July 10, 1898 at Madison Barracks, Jefferson County
, New York. Carpenter was a U.S. Army Officer, Naturalist
and a Geologist
who helped document the minerals and resources of the Black Hills
of South Dakota
which led to the Great Sioux War of 1876-77
.
- died in 1867) and Mamie Frances Bristol (born about 1813). He was the only son of three children. His immigrant ancestry came from the Rehoboth Carpenter family
through William Carpenter (born 1605 in England).
Carpenter married A. Curtis Steever (born about 1844 New York) on March 12, 1878. They had no known surviving children.
he served as a Midshipman
in the U.S. Navy from 1861-1864. Wanting to see more action, he resigned from the Navy and joined the Army. He became a private in Battery "D" 2nd Artillery on July 29, 1864. He transferred to Battery "L" September 25, 1865. He served at the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia and with the Army of the Potomac
. He made Corporal on September 28, 1866 and Sergeant on January 29, 1867.
After publication of several scientific articles, ranging in topic from naturalist to geological surveys, he was appointed a Second Lieutenant
in the U.S. Army on April 5, 1867. He was assigned to the 9th Infantry Regiment and encouraged to continue his scientific research on the frontier.
In 1872-1874 as part of the 9th Infantry Regiment, Second Lieutenant Carpenter documented in a series of reports information of minerals, including gold, being seized from illegal miners and trespassers who were being ejected (See: Fort Laramie Treaty of 1868) from the Black Hills of South Dakota.
Carpenter was promoted to First Lieutenant for "exceptional duties" on December 31, 1873. His and other reports lead to Custer's 1874 Black Hills Expedition
that set out on July 2, 1874 and returned on August, 30, 1874. Listed as "Bill Louis (sic) carpenter" he briefed naturalist George Bird Grinnell
and others for that expedition.
In 1875, Lt. Carpenter, under Colonel Richard Irving Dodge
became part of the 1875 Newton-Jenney Party
which was a scientific expedition sponsored by the United States Geological Survey to map the Black Hills of South Dakota. Lt. W. Carpenter was commended for his "exceptional diligence and scientific assistance" and that he "contributed greatly" to the 1880 Black Hills Geological report.
In 1876, Carpenter was recorded as a participant in the Battle of the Rosebud
in Montana
Territory on June 17, 1876 as First Lieutenant of Company G, 9th Infantry, in which 1,200 cavalrymen under General George Crook supported by 300 Crow
(Absaroke) and Shoshone
warriors were attacked by about 1,500 Sioux
and Cheyenne
warriors under Chief Crazy Horse.
Carpenter was second in command of Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment who was documented as "awaiting reinforcements after the Battle of the Rosebud" on June 20, 1876.
In 1877, under orders from General Philip Sheridan
(later in 1883, Commanding General of the United States Army
), Lt. William Lewis Carpenter made his final report on the "Geology and Natural History of the Big Horn Mountains." This report provided the economic reasons of the land and gold rush into the Black Hills of South Dakota 1873-1877, and was well received by the scientific community. Nominated by geologist W. P. Jenney, who encouraged him to go into academics, William L. Carpenter was elected a "Fellow" of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
on September 4, 1877.
In 1880 he was enumerated in the U.S. federal census as a soldier in the unorganized territory of Nebraska
. In 1882 he was listed as an officer of the Department of the Platte: "First Lieut. W. L. Carpenter, Ninth Infantry, Company B, Fort Niobrara."
His later duties included scientific collections and observations
Carpenter was promoted to Captain in 1887.
In 1892, after 37 years of service in the Civil War and Indian Wars, the 9th Infantry Regiment was transferred to routine garrison duty in Madison Barracks, New York.
In Feb 1894, Captain Carpenter was at Madison Barracks where he was appointed to serve on an Army court-martial: "A general court-martial is appointed to meet at Madison Barracks, New York, on Feb. 21, 1894. Detail...William L. Carpenter, Ninth Infantry..." The 9th Infantry's official 1909 history includes several mentions of his service.
In 1897 Carpenter joined the Sons of the American Revolution
of the District of Columbia, and after his death from Bright's Disease
on July 10, 1898 at Madison Barracks, his widow was appointed postmistress of Fort Myer
, Arlington County, Virginia
in 1899 as cited in The Washington Post, May 24, 1899: "Mrs. W. L. Carpenter, widow of the late Capt. Carpenter, Ninth United States Infantry, has been appointed postmistress at Fort Myer, Va. The office was sought for by numerous candidates, but Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow decided to give the plum to Mrs. Carpenter. Her late husband died at Madison Barracks, N.Y., on July 10, 1898, after an illness of several months. He had a long record of honorable service, extending over more than thirty years."
A detailed obituary issued as a military order is printed on pp. 848-849 in "The Carpenter Memorial".
Chautauqua County, New York
-Major highways:* Interstate 86/New York State Route 17 * Interstate 90 * U.S. Route 20* U.S. Route 62* New York State Route 5* New York State Route 39* New York State Route 60* New York State Route 394...
, New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
, died July 10, 1898 at Madison Barracks, Jefferson County
Jefferson County, New York
Jefferson County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 116,229. It is named after Thomas Jefferson, third President of the United States of America, and president at the time the county was created in 1805...
, New York. Carpenter was a U.S. Army Officer, Naturalist
Naturalist
Naturalist may refer to:* Practitioner of natural history* Conservationist* Advocate of naturalism * Naturalist , autobiography-See also:* The American Naturalist, periodical* Naturalism...
and a Geologist
Geologist
A geologist is a scientist who studies the solid and liquid matter that constitutes the Earth as well as the processes and history that has shaped it. Geologists usually engage in studying geology. Geologists, studying more of an applied science than a theoretical one, must approach Geology using...
who helped document the minerals and resources of the Black Hills
Black Hills
The Black Hills are a small, isolated mountain range rising from the Great Plains of North America in western South Dakota and extending into Wyoming, USA. Set off from the main body of the Rocky Mountains, the region is something of a geological anomaly—accurately described as an "island of...
of South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
which led to the Great Sioux War of 1876-77
Great Sioux War of 1876-77
The Great Sioux War of 1876, also known as the Black Hills War, was a series of battles and negotiations which occurred between 1876 and 1877 involving the Lakota and Northern Cheyenne, against the United States...
.
Family
Carpenter was the son of William Lewis Carpenter (Senior) (born July 17, 1813 in Batavia, New YorkBatavia (city), New York
Batavia is a city in Genesee County, Western New York, USA, located near the middle of Genesee County, entirely within the Town of Batavia. Its population as of the 2000 census was 16,256...
- died in 1867) and Mamie Frances Bristol (born about 1813). He was the only son of three children. His immigrant ancestry came from the Rehoboth Carpenter family
Rehoboth Carpenter Family
The Rehoboth Carpenter family is an American family that helped settle the town of Rehoboth, Massachusetts in 1644.The first immigrant and founder of this line was William Carpenter The Rehoboth Carpenter family is an American family that helped settle the town of Rehoboth, Massachusetts in...
through William Carpenter (born 1605 in England).
Carpenter married A. Curtis Steever (born about 1844 New York) on March 12, 1878. They had no known surviving children.
Early career
During the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
he served as a Midshipman
Midshipman
A midshipman is an officer cadet, or a commissioned officer of the lowest rank, in the Royal Navy, United States Navy, and many Commonwealth navies. Commonwealth countries which use the rank include Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, India, Pakistan, Singapore, Sri Lanka and Kenya...
in the U.S. Navy from 1861-1864. Wanting to see more action, he resigned from the Navy and joined the Army. He became a private in Battery "D" 2nd Artillery on July 29, 1864. He transferred to Battery "L" September 25, 1865. He served at the Siege of Petersburg, Virginia and with the 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...
. He made Corporal on September 28, 1866 and Sergeant on January 29, 1867.
After publication of several scientific articles, ranging in topic from naturalist to geological surveys, he was appointed a Second Lieutenant
Second Lieutenant
Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces.- United Kingdom and Commonwealth :The rank second lieutenant was introduced throughout the British Army in 1871 to replace the rank of ensign , although it had long been used in the Royal Artillery, Royal...
in the U.S. Army on April 5, 1867. He was assigned to the 9th Infantry Regiment and encouraged to continue his scientific research on the frontier.
Black Hills duty
Carpenter was promoted to First Lieutenant for "exceptional duties" on December 31, 1873. His and other reports lead to Custer's 1874 Black Hills Expedition
Custer's 1874 Black Hills Expedition
The Black Hills Expedition was a United States Army expedition in 1874 led by Lieutenant Colonel George Armstrong Custer that set out on July 2, 1874 from modern day Bismarck, North Dakota, which was then Fort Abraham Lincoln in the Dakota Territory, with orders to travel to the previously...
that set out on July 2, 1874 and returned on August, 30, 1874. Listed as "Bill Louis (sic) carpenter" he briefed naturalist George Bird Grinnell
George Bird Grinnell
George Bird Grinnell was an American anthropologist, historian, naturalist, and writer. Grinnell was born in Brooklyn, New York, and graduated from Yale University with a B.A. in 1870 and a Ph.D. in 1880. Originally specializing in zoology, he became a prominent early conservationist and student...
and others for that expedition.
In 1875, Lt. Carpenter, under Colonel Richard Irving Dodge
Richard Irving Dodge
Richard Irving Dodge was a colonel in the United States Army.Dodge was born in North Carolina and died after a long and successful career in the U.S. Army. He began as a cadet in 1844 and retired as a Colonel May 19, 1891....
became part of the 1875 Newton-Jenney Party
Newton-Jenney Party
The Newton–Jenney Party of 1875, led by Henry Newton and Walter P. Jenney, and escorted by a military detachment led by Lieutenant Colonel Richard I. Dodge. Also known as the Jenney-Newton Party, it was a scientific expedition sponsored by the United States Geological Survey to map the Black Hills...
which was a scientific expedition sponsored by the United States Geological Survey to map the Black Hills of South Dakota. Lt. W. Carpenter was commended for his "exceptional diligence and scientific assistance" and that he "contributed greatly" to the 1880 Black Hills Geological report.
In 1876, Carpenter was recorded as a participant in the Battle of the Rosebud
Battle of the Rosebud
The Battle of the Rosebud occurred June 17, 1876, in the Montana Territory between the United States Army and a force of Lakota Native Americans during the Black Hills War...
in Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
Territory on June 17, 1876 as First Lieutenant of Company G, 9th Infantry, in which 1,200 cavalrymen under General George Crook supported by 300 Crow
Crow
Crows form the genus Corvus in the family Corvidae. Ranging in size from the relatively small pigeon-size jackdaws to the Common Raven of the Holarctic region and Thick-billed Raven of the highlands of Ethiopia, the 40 or so members of this genus occur on all temperate continents and several...
(Absaroke) and Shoshone
Shoshone
The Shoshone or Shoshoni are a Native American tribe in the United States with three large divisions: the Northern, the Western and the Eastern....
warriors were attacked by about 1,500 Sioux
Sioux
The Sioux are Native American and First Nations people in North America. The term can refer to any ethnic group within the Great Sioux Nation or any of the nation's many language dialects...
and Cheyenne
Cheyenne
Cheyenne are a Native American people of the Great Plains, who are of the Algonquian language family. The Cheyenne Nation is composed of two united tribes, the Só'taeo'o and the Tsétsêhéstâhese .The Cheyenne are thought to have branched off other tribes of Algonquian stock inhabiting lands...
warriors under Chief Crazy Horse.
Carpenter was second in command of Company G, 9th Infantry Regiment who was documented as "awaiting reinforcements after the Battle of the Rosebud" on June 20, 1876.
Philip Sheridan
Philip Henry Sheridan was a career United States Army officer and a Union general in the American Civil War. His career was noted for his rapid rise to major general and his close association with Lt. Gen. Ulysses S...
(later in 1883, Commanding General of the United States Army
Commanding General of the United States Army
Prior to the institution of the Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1903, there was generally a single senior-most officer in the army. From 1783, he was known simply as the Senior Officer of the United States Army, but in 1821, the title was changed to Commanding General of the United...
), Lt. William Lewis Carpenter made his final report on the "Geology and Natural History of the Big Horn Mountains." This report provided the economic reasons of the land and gold rush into the Black Hills of South Dakota 1873-1877, and was well received by the scientific community. Nominated by geologist W. P. Jenney, who encouraged him to go into academics, William L. Carpenter was elected a "Fellow" of the American Association for the Advancement of Science
American Association for the Advancement of Science
The American Association for the Advancement of Science is an international non-profit organization with the stated goals of promoting cooperation among scientists, defending scientific freedom, encouraging scientific responsibility, and supporting scientific education and science outreach for the...
on September 4, 1877.
In 1880 he was enumerated in the U.S. federal census as a soldier in the unorganized territory of Nebraska
Nebraska
Nebraska is a state on the Great Plains of the Midwestern United States. The state's capital is Lincoln and its largest city is Omaha, on the Missouri River....
. In 1882 he was listed as an officer of the Department of the Platte: "First Lieut. W. L. Carpenter, Ninth Infantry, Company B, Fort Niobrara."
His later duties included scientific collections and observations
Later career
In 1892, after 37 years of service in the Civil War and Indian Wars, the 9th Infantry Regiment was transferred to routine garrison duty in Madison Barracks, New York.
In Feb 1894, Captain Carpenter was at Madison Barracks where he was appointed to serve on an Army court-martial: "A general court-martial is appointed to meet at Madison Barracks, New York, on Feb. 21, 1894. Detail...William L. Carpenter, Ninth Infantry..." The 9th Infantry's official 1909 history includes several mentions of his service.
In 1897 Carpenter joined the Sons of the American Revolution
Sons of the American Revolution
The National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution is a Louisville, Kentucky-based fraternal organization in the United States...
of the District of Columbia, and after his death from Bright's Disease
Bright's disease
Bright's disease is a historical classification of kidney diseases that would be described in modern medicine as acute or chronic nephritis. The term is no longer used, as diseases are now classified according to their more fully understood causes....
on July 10, 1898 at Madison Barracks, his widow was appointed postmistress of Fort Myer
Fort Myer
Fort Myer is a U.S. Army post adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, across the Potomac River from Washington, D.C. It is a small post by U.S...
, Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County, Virginia
Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The land that became Arlington was originally donated by Virginia to the United States government to form part of the new federal capital district. On February 27, 1801, the United States Congress organized the area as a subdivision of...
in 1899 as cited in The Washington Post, May 24, 1899: "Mrs. W. L. Carpenter, widow of the late Capt. Carpenter, Ninth United States Infantry, has been appointed postmistress at Fort Myer, Va. The office was sought for by numerous candidates, but Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow decided to give the plum to Mrs. Carpenter. Her late husband died at Madison Barracks, N.Y., on July 10, 1898, after an illness of several months. He had a long record of honorable service, extending over more than thirty years."
A detailed obituary issued as a military order is printed on pp. 848-849 in "The Carpenter Memorial".