ANNUAL REUNION, JUNE 11th, 1912.

ASA BACON CAREY.

No. 1817. CLASS OF 1858. Died, April 4, 1912, at Orlando, Florida, aged 77.

ASA BACON CAREY was born July 12, 1835, at Canterbury, Connecticut. His family runs far back into the history of New England, the first representative in this country - John Cary - having joined the Plymouth Colony in 1634.

General Carey's boyhood was passed in his native town until July 1, 1854, when he was admitted as a Cadet at the United States Military Academy. Due to an error in the preparation of his record as a Cadet at West Point, his name was wrongly spelled "Carey." Boylike, he considered this of no importance and adopted the incorrect spelling rather than take the official action necessary for its correction. This explains his departure from the proper spelling of his family name.

As a Cadet, A. B. Carey's sterling worth and lovable qualities attracted to him friendships among his associates at the Academy which death alone terminated. It held throughout his life that once his friend, always his friend, and this fact indicates what a splendid man he was. Friendships may be attracted by more or less specious qualities, but only real worth can retain them.

He was graduated from West Point July 1, 1858, being commissioned a Brevet Second Lieutenant, 6th Infantry. During 1858-59 he served in garrison at Fort Columbus, New York. On October 22, 1858, he was commissioned Second Lieutenant in the Seventh U. S. Infantry. He was then on frontier duty; on the Utah Expedition, 1859-60; March to New Mexico, 1860; and at Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1860-61. He was commissioned First Lieutenant on May 14, 1861, and assigned to the Thirteenth U. S. Infantry.

From his first joining, A. B. Carey had exhibited ability as a soldier, combined with rare good judgmen unusual personal magnetism - characteristícs which early led to his being given assignments which normally went to older officers of considerable rank.

The outbreak of the Civil War found him in New Mexico and he took a most important part in all the operations in this territory. At the Battle of Apache Canon, near Santa Fe New Mexico, he commanded one of the battalions, gained the rear of the enemy, captured all his ammunition, supplies and transportation, and turned the defeat of the Union forces at the front into a victory. This practically put a stop to Confederate operations in this quarter, since lack of transportation and supplies compelled a withdrawal. Captain Carey, who had been promoted October 24, 1861 was breveted Major for gallant and meritorious services during this action, and he was also voted a unanimous resolution of thanks by ttie Legislature of New Mexico for this and other services.

In 1863-64, Captain Carey took part in the memorable campaign against the Navajo Indians, which resulted in their being conquered and making a lasting peace. With 150 picked men he passed through the celebrated Canon de Chelly, a feat never before accomplished in time of war with the Indians. General Carleton, then Department Commander, in a report on the operations of this campaign, referred to Captain Carey's conduct on that occasion as "particularly distinguished," and for it he was breveted Lieutenant Colonel on March 13, 1865.

It was during the period of the Civil War in New Mexico that Captain Carey formed a lasting friendship with the celebrated Kit Carson, who was at that time a volunteer officer. Perhaps no other man ever knew Kit Carson as intímately as did Captain Carey, and it is to be regretted that he did not, as he was often urged to do by his friends, commit his reminiscences of this famous scout to writing.