Carlos Waite


Carlos Adolphus Waite was a career soldier in the United States Army who, in his retirement, received a brevet rank of Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers.

Biography

Carlos A. Waite entered the U. S. Army as 3d lieutenant of infantry, 28 January 1820, became 1st lieutenant, 1 May 1828, and captain, 3 July 1836. From 7 July 1838 until 8 May 1845, he was captain and assistant quartermaster. He was appointed major of the 8th infantry, 16 February 1847, and served in the Mexican–American War, receiving the brevets of lieutenant colonel, 20 August 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct at Contreras and Churubusco, and colonel, 8 September 1847, for gallant and meritorious conduct at Molino del Rey, where he was severely wounded. He was made lieutenant colonel of the 5th infantry on 10 November 1851, and colonel of the 1st infantry on 5 June 1860. On February 19, 1861, Carlos A. Waite superseded Brevet Major General David E. Twiggs as the U.S. Army's Department of Texas commander, as Twiggs was now off to join the Confederates, and he commanded the department until it was abolished later in 1861. In 1864 he was placed on the retired list, owing to impaired health, and he resided in Plattsburgh until his death. He was brevetted Brigadier General, U.S. Volunteers, on 13 March 1865, for long and faithful service in the U.S. Army.