Elizabethton in Carter County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)
Samuel P. Carter
Admiral and General
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2019
1. Samuel P. Carter Marker
Although Tennessee voted to secede from the Union in June 1861, East Tennessee remained staunchly loyal. The residents of Carter County voted against secession, 1,343 to 86.One of those residents, Admiral and General Samuel P. Carter (born August 6, 1819), lived here in Elizabethton. He was the only officer in American history to wear two stars in both the navy and the army. He served in the navy as a midshipman beginning in 1840, graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1846, and was at sea when the Civil War began. Then-Senator Andrew Johnson had Carter detailed to Tennessee for "special duty" to recruit soldiers for the U.S. Army, and he received a general's commission. Before the end of 1861, Carter led a cavalry raid across the mountains to destroy bridges on the East Tennessee & Virginia Railroad. His raid gave hope to East Tennessee Unionists and disheartened Confederate supporters.
In the summer of 1863, Carter commanded the Union army's XXIII Corps cavalry during the Knoxville Campaign. His October victory at the Battle of Blue Springs contributed to the success of the Union advance in the region. He was brevetted
this page online
After the war, Carter left the army and resumed his naval career, commanding USS Monocacy. Before he retired in 1882, he was promoted to rear admiral. He died in Washington, D.C., on May 26, 1891.
Erected by Tennessee Civil War Trails.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, US Civil • Waterways & Vessels. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #17 Andrew Johnson, and the Tennessee Civil War Trails series lists.
Location. 36° 20.932′ N, 82° 12.627′ W. Marker is in Elizabethton, Tennessee, in Carter County. Marker is at the intersection of North Main Street and East Elk Avenue, on the right when traveling north on North Main Street. Marker is located near the sidewalk, at the southwest corner of the Carter County Courthouse grounds. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 801 East Elk Avenue, Elizabethton TN 37643, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Watauga Old Fields (here, next to this marker); Carter County Veterans Monument (within shouting distance of this marker); Samuel Powhatan Carter (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); First Court West of the Alleghenies
Courtesy Tennessee State Museum
2. Marker detail: Samuel P. Carter
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Samuel Perry "Powhatan" Carter
Also see . . . Samuel P. Carter. Samuel Perry "Powhatan" Carter was a United States naval officer who served in the Union Army as a brevet major general during the American Civil War and became a rear admiral in the postbellum United States Navy. He is, so far, the only United States officer to have been both an admiral and a general. (Submitted on June 22, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)
Courtesy Library of Congress
3. Marker detail: Andrew Johnson, ca. 1860
Courtesy U.S. Naval Historical Center
4. Marker detail: USS Monocacy, 1897
Courtesy Library of Congress
5. Marker detail: Battle of Blue Springs, 1863
Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 13, 2019
6. Samuel P. Carter Marker (wide view Carter County Courthouse in background)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2019. It was originally submitted on June 21, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 430 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 22, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.
