Forgotten Leaders of the Trans-Mississippi: Eugene Asa Carr

Eugene Asa Carr was born on March 20, 1830, in Concord, New York. In 1850 he graduated from the US Military Academy. His first military service took place mainly on the Western plains.

With the outbreak of the Civil War, he joined Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon’s troops in Missouri and fought in the battle of Wilson’s Creek on August 9, 1861. For his conduct he was appointed colonel of the 3d Illinois Cavalry.

At the Battle of Pea Ridge (March 6-8, 1862), Carr commanded the 4th Division and was wounded several times while defending a critical position. Carr was awarded the Medal of Honor for this actions and promoted to a brevet commission as Maj. General. The citation, dated 16 January 1894, read, “Directed the deployment of his command and held his ground, under a brisk fire of shot and shell in which he was several times wounded.” He was promoted again to brigadier general of volunteers. He commanded the 14th Division of McClernand’s Corps during the Vicksburg campaign.

Carr took part in the siege of Mobile, Alabama. He was brevetted major general of volunteers and then to major general of the US army.

Carr is best known for his actions as a fighter on the Western plains after the Civil War. Serving in the 5th and 6th cavalry from 1868 to 1891, he was called “perhaps the most famous and experienced Indian fighter … following the Civil War.” He retired as a brigadier general in 1893, and died in Washington, D.C., on December 2, 1910. Carr was buried at West Point.

Source: http://home.usmo.com/~momollus/CiCmtg/Carr.htm