2012 OHIO COUNTY VETERANS DAY OBSERVANCE
Thomas E. Carter 1828-1883 lived his whole life in Ohio
County as did his brothers, children of John J. and Nancy (Coleman)
Carter. Thomas served in the Union Army
with the 17th Kentucky Infantry Co. A advancing to rank of corporal,
was captured November 30, 1864, and held as a prisoner of war at Andersonville,
Georgia. Upon release from prison at the
end of the Civil War, he headed home onboard the SS Sultana. The Sultana, a Mississippi River steamboat
paddlewheeler, exploded April 27, 1865, later described as greatest maritime
disaster in United States history. Three
of the four boilers exploded resulting in the Sultana burning and sinking near
Memphis killing approximately 1,600 of the 2.400 passengers. Thomas was initially listed among the dead by
the Union Army. According to the book
Disaster on the Mississippi, by Gene Eric Salecker, Thomas was taken to the
Overton union hospital in Memphis, Tennessee for medical attention. Upon hospital release, family legend states
that he walked back to Centertown, Kentucky.
Thomas received a pension for his military service of $16.00
per month and died of a disease contracted during the war. At his death there were less than 120 Civil
War (referred to as the Late War) pensioners in Ohio County, his being one of
the larger amounts. He never married,
once was asked, Uncle Tom what made your teeth so short? Gnawing horse bones in Andersonville Prison
was his reply. After the war he belonged
to the Remus Whittinghill GAR Post 11, the Grand Army of the Republic was a
fraternal organization of Union Civil War veterans. The Sons of Union Veterans
of the Civil War is the legal heir and represents the GAR and the Boys in Blue
who saved the Union.
Thomas E. Carter is buried at West Providence Baptist Church
Cemetery, as are his brothers James Carter and
Richard Bennett Carter. Brothers,
Prince William Carter, John Walter Carter and Amsiah Carter and their parents
are buried at Walton’s Creek Baptist Church Cemetery. Thomas, James, Prince William, John Walter
and Amsiah were the older brothers and all served in the Union Army during the
Civil War, returning home to Centertown after their service was completed.
West Providence Church members, American Legion members and
descendants of the Carter family, Helen Allen McKeown and Doug Carter, will be
among those coming together to replace and dedicate a Civil War marker for
Thomas E. Carter. The ceremony will be
held at 11:00 am on Monday, November 12, 2012, at the cemetery. The dedication
will be performed by members of the Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War-Sgt
Elijah P. Marrs Camp 5, Nicholasville, Kentucky.
A fitting tribute of respect for observance of Veterans Day,
the Centertown Welborn Lee Ashby American Legion Post #296 and Auxiliary Unit
will, as part of their membership drive, be serving lunch at Centertown City
Hall following the ceremony.
A welcome is extended to all to attend the dedication and
dinner.
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