Kit Carson and the Civil War

The myth of Kit Carson was a product of early dime novelists and what their audiences wanted to read. He was never a vicious Indian-killer, but fought in the Native American tradition itself, attacking against only groups that attacker him and his friends. He was a brave and resourceful man, a skilled hunter, a tricultural diplomat at home in New Mexican Hispanic society, among Native Americans, especially the Utes, and with Anglo Americans. Colonel Carson was a proud, loyal American, born in Kentucky.

He was originally Lt. Colonel of the First. He was soon promoted when his friend Cearan St. Vrain resigned because of ill health. His tricultral background made him an outstanding leader in New Mexico. Carson's personal courage and empathy with the members of the regimentwas part of their courageous actions at Valverde and later, against the warring Apaches, Navahos, Kiowas, and Comanches. The skills of Col. Carson and his soldiers have never been widely recognized, but their successful defense at Adobe Walls, West Texas, in 1865, contrasts with Bvt Brig. Gen. Custer's unsuccessful defense at the Little Big Horn. Similar numbers of soldiers (259) fought against similar number of Kiowas and Comanches (reportedly up to 3,000). Carson lost three dead and the Kiowas and Comanches reportedly hundreds of attacking warriors (not women and children as with Custer at the Washita or Chivington at Sand Creek). Carson was breveted Brig. General for his services at the end of the war.