Samuel Sprigg Carroll | |
|---|---|
 Samuel S. Carroll | |
| Nickname | "Red" |
| Born | (1832-09-21)September 21, 1832 |
| Died | January 28, 1893(1893-01-28) (aged 60) near Takoma Park, Maryland |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States Union |
| Branch | United States Army Union Army |
| Service years | 1856–1869 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General BrevetMajor General |
| Commands | 8th Ohio Infantry Gibraltar Brigade |
| Conflicts | American Civil War |
Samuel Sprigg "Red" Carroll (September 21, 1832 – January 28, 1893) was a career officer in theUnited States Army who rose to the rank ofbrigadier general of theUnion during theAmerican Civil War. TheMaryland native was most known for his service as the commander of the famed "Gibraltar Brigade", aninfantrybrigade in theArmy of the Potomac that played a key role in the defense ofCemetery Hill during theBattle of Gettysburg, as well as in repulsing a portion ofPickett's Charge.
Samuel S. Carroll was born near what is nowTakoma Park, Maryland. He was a grandson ofCharles Carroll of Bellevue (1767–1823) (a cousin ofCharles Carroll, a signer of theDeclaration of Independence).[1] He was educated in the local schools, and graduated fromCollege of Saint James (Saint James School), Maryland,[2] and received an appointment to theUnited States Military Academy inWest Point, New York. He graduated 44th of 49 cadets in the Class of 1856 and wasbrevetted as asecond lieutenant in the infantry. He was assigned tofrontier duty at a variety of posts in theOld West before returning to West Point as the post'squartermaster.
He was married to Miss Helen Bennett in St. Louis, Missouri, on September 3, 1856. Helen was the eldest child of William Bennett, a prominent merchant born in Maryland, and his wife Catherine DuBois. They had three known children.
Carroll was promoted to the rank ofcaptain in the10th U.S. Infantry shortly after the Civil War erupted. In December 1861, he was appointed ascolonel of the8th Ohio Infantry, a three-years' regiment that exclusively saw duty in theEastern Theater. During the 1862Valley Campaign, Carroll commanded the 4th Brigade inJames Shields'division. Carroll commanded the vanguard of the Union army at theBattle of Cross Keys. He was commended for his performance at theBattle of Cedar Mountain. Transferred with this brigade to theNorthern Virginia area, he was severely wounded in the chest in a fight near theRapidan River. He recovered in time to resume his field command inIII Corps before theBattle of Fredericksburg.
In 1863, Carroll commanded the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division of theII Corps at theBattle of Chancellorsville. During thesecond day at Gettysburg, his 8th Ohio was involved in skirmishing along the Emmitsburg Road, while the other three regiments of the Gibraltar Brigade, 14th Indiana, Col. John Coons (191)4th Ohio, Lieut. Col. Leonard W. Carpenter (299)and 7th West Virginia, Lieut. Col. Jonathan H. Lockwoodcounter-attacked oncoming Confederates fromNorth Carolina and theLouisiana Tigers fromJubal Early's division on the slopes ofCemetery Hill, driving them back in the growing darkness. Carroll later led his depleted brigade in some small engagements during theMine Run Campaign.
Carroll was promoted to brigadier general on May 12, 1864. He was twice wounded during theOverland Campaign, once at theWilderness and again atSpotsylvania Court House. After his recovery, he commanded the Department of West Virginia briefly and later led adivision in theArmy of the Shenandoah.
When the war ended, Carroll stayed in thepostbellumRegular Army, serving in the inspector general's department. He continued to be affected by his war-time injuries and retired from the army in 1869 with the brevet rank ofmajor general. In August 1886, his wife divorced him.
In late January 1893, Carroll contractedpneumonia and died six days later at the age of 60 at his country residence, "Belleview", near Takoma Park, Maryland. His death was hastened by his never having fully recovered from his wounds.[dubious –discuss] His funeral was held in St. John's Church inWashington, D.C. He was buried with full military honors inOak Hill Cemetery inGeorgetown, Washington, D.C.[citation needed]
In 1861, Fort Carroll (a.k.a. Battery Carroll), on the edge of Congress Heights in DC was named for him.
The main street in Takoma Park is named Carroll Avenue in his memory.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
