BG James Carleton opinions?

[archieclement]

I was reading about him, Union officer put in charge of New Mexico. Seems a bit Kirby Smithdom for the Union there. Rather harsh rule.

But seems likely right man, at right place and time.....he dealt with and put down Apache uprising, Navajo uprising, and then a Kiowa-Comanche uprisings heavily relying on Kit Carson. Managed to largely protect and maintain Santa Fe trail his Dept rather relied upon.

Was wondering what others thought, if right man, or would someone else done as good or better?

 

[RedRover]

He was lauded by the War Department for the success of the "California Column" in 1862.

 

[gary]

Suggested further reading: Ray Colton's The Civil War in the Western Territories.

 

[Stryker65]

Half of the Dept. of the Pacific officers resigned to join the Confederacy -- dragoon captain Carleton was instrumental in securing Southern California for the Union, along with his 1st California Infantry. It is interesting to note that each of the 1st California's three colonels achieved a generalship -- the original Lt. Col. Joseph R. West became a BG and served in Alabama with Canby.