Kit Carson

Date of Birth: December 24, 1809

Zodiac Sign: Capricorn

Date of Death: May 23, 1868

Biography

Christopher Houston “Kit” Carson was an iconic American frontiersman, explorer, and military officer who played a pivotal role in the westward expansion of the United States. Born on December 24, 1809, in Madison County, Kentucky, Carson moved with his family to Missouri at an early age. By the age of 16, he left home to become a trapper and hunter in the West, acquiring skills that would make him one of the most renowned guides of his era. Carson became widely recognized for his role in John C. Frémont’s exploratory expeditions across the Western United States during the 1840s. His contributions to mapping and understanding the American West were invaluable. He later served as a guide, translator, and negotiator during the Mexican-American War and the Civil War, earning a reputation as a competent and reliable leader. In addition to his military and exploratory achievements, Carson also served as an Indian agent, where he attempted to maintain peace between Native American tribes and white settlers. Despite his efforts, his actions and the policies he enforced often led to significant and tragic consequences for Native American communities. Kit Carson passed away on May 23, 1868, in Fort Lyon, Colorado, leaving a complex legacy that continues to be studied and debated today.

5 Interesting Facts about Kit Carson

1. Kit Carson was illiterate for most of his life and relied on interpreters and secretaries to handle his correspondence.

2. He was married three times and had ten children.

3. Carson played a significant role in the capture of California during the Mexican-American War.

4. Despite his reputation as a fierce Indian fighter, Carson had deep respect for many Native American tribes and spent years living among them.

5. He was appointed as a brigadier general by President Abraham Lincoln during the Civil War.

5 Most Interesting Quotes from Kit Carson

1. “I was always afraid of things that worked up my imagination, but I never could see no harm in things that were real.”

2. “If I were an Indian, I often think I would greatly prefer to cast my lot among those of my people who adhered to their original habits.”

3. “This is a splendid country for the traveler – but not for the settler.”

4. “I cannot believe that Providence has sent us here to do a little good, and we are to be dismissed and told that our mission is over.”

5. “I don’t know as I ever was lost, but I was bewildered once for three days.”

Highest Net Worth Achieved

Kit Carson did not achieve significant wealth in his lifetime. His highest net worth was modest, primarily derived from his military pay and sporadic income as a guide and trapper.