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Subject: [PANORTHU-L] William Carson,Indian Fighter
Date: Tue, 6 Feb 2001 20:08:02 EST

A Brief Biography of William Carson,Indian Fighter
                                  William Carson was born 11 January 1851 in
Franklin, Indiana. His father'sname was also William Carson. He enlisted into
Company I, 7th Regiment, U.S.Infantry, on 11 March 1873. His residence was
then Indianapolis and hisoccupation was that of a laborer or hostler. At the
time of enlistment he was5' 7 1/4" tall, of fair complexion, with blue
eyes and brown hair. Heserved in the campaign against the Sioux for over 30
days in 1876. He helpedbury Gen. George Custer and 285 men on 27 June 1876 at
the site of the LittleBig Horn River battleground. He served in the field
during the Nez Perce war of1877. In 1876 his Company was based mainly at Fort
Shaw, Montana Territory. Hewas discharged at the completion of his five year
term on 11 March 1878 at FortShaw.
He then became a cow boy on the Sweat & Story Ranch in Montana for sixmonths.
After that he again enlisted on 6 January 1879 and was assigned toCompany A,
14th Infantry as a private. He deserted on 7 April 1880. He thenwent to
Helena, Montana, and drove a freight team of fourteen mules from Helenato Ft.
Benton for one year. This route lay by the Missouri river and was 100miles
long. He then drove a four horse stage on several routes in Montana for 41/2
years. He then spent two years as a cow boy on the Nevada Range inCalifornia.
In 1888 he went to St. Louis, and later in 1890 joined the Buffalo Bill
CodyCircus, where he rode bronchos and drove stage coaches for two years.
Later hejoined the Ringling Brothers' Circus, where he drove from 6 to 14
horses andchariot races for three years. He then moved to Indiana and
Illinois, where heengaged in farming.
On 2 September 1919 he applied for a pension based on his service in
theIndian Wars. At that time he was already living in the Danville,
Illinois,Veterans Administration Facility (commonly called the Old Soldiers'
Home). Hesigned the application with an X.
He used to visit his nephew, <A HREF="http://www.crossmyt.com/hc/gen/chfmbcht.html#b14">William Arthur Carson</A>,in Evansville, Indiana and
entertain his children with tales of the Indian Warsand Circus life. He never
married. He died at Danville, Illinois, on 11 October1934.
References:

Records in the NationalArchives A short biography dictated by him to his
nephew'ssecretary

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