Tales from Tennessee and Beyond: Kit Carson

Kit Carson was an American Frontiersmen, mountaineer, and a soldier in the U.S. Army. Carson left his Missouri home at the age of sixteen, to join an expedition led by John C. Fremont. He became a wilderness guide under Fremont, and together the two of them would become two of the greatest frontiersmen in American history. He and Fremont would also fight in the Mexican-American war, and later in his life Carson would lead a Mexican regiment during the Civil War. Kit went throughout the wilderness during the early nineteenth century looking for furs. The most specific type of furs that he looked for was beaver. The money was hard earned, as Carson had to haul the heavy furs himself until he could get to a town or trading post in order to collect his money. Carson also had to scavenge for food, and nurse himself when he was injured. Carson spent much time looking out for Indians, as well as grizzly bears. From 1842-1848, Kit Carson made three expeditions with John C. Fremont. These expeditions took them through the states of Utah, Oregon, and California. On the third expedition, Carson and Fremont were involved in the Bear Flag Revolt. The Mexican government had ordered all Americans out of California. Fremont and Carson helped to put down this revolt and the American settlers were allowed to stay in California. During the Mexican-American War, Carson was tasked with guiding Stephen Kearny and his men from Socorro, New Mexico to San Diego, California. Kearny and his men were ambushed on the way there, but thanks to Carson around 200 American reinforcements arrived and they were able to make it to San Diego. During the Civil War, Carson and his band of fighters were tasked with terrorizing the Indians and driving them out of their lands. The group that was terrorized the most were the Apaches. Kit Carson despised the Apaches, and he wanted to get rid of them in any way he could. Kit also fought against the Navajo Indians during the Civil War. The most notable battle that Kit Carson was involved in was the Battle of Adobe Wells. Carson was successful in all of these Civil War activities. Kit Carson truly was an American legend, and his legacy still lives on to this day.