BOROUS CARTER.

Borous Carter, Jr., was born on his father's plantation near Somerville, Tenn., on October 28, 1840, the youngest but one of twelve children. He made a profession of religion and joined the Methodist Church at Taylor's Chapel in 1852, remaining a member in good standing therein until his death on September 8, 1925.

The spring of 1861 found young Carter preparing to enter the Medical Department of the Tennessee University, but the call to arms was paramount with him, and, with four of his brothers, he entered the service of the Confederacy, becoming a member of Company A, 13th Tennessee Regiment (154th Confederate); and at the battle of Belmont, Mo., on November 7, 1861, he was severely wounded and sent home. His left arm was broken at the elbow joint by a musket ball and stiffened for life; so he was never able to return to the army, but his brothers remained, and three of them were killed, one at Franklin, one at Murfreesboro, and one at Atlanta.

After the war ended, Borous Carter engaged in farming and spent the rest of his life in that occupation. No man in his county stood higher in the estimation of the best people than he. After being an invalid for several years, he entered into rest September 8, 1925, in the eighty-fifth year of his age. Reguiescat in peace. [His son, G. W . Carter.]

Confederate Veteran, Vol. 33, p. 467

https://dcms.lds.org/delivery/DeliveryManagerServlet?dps_pid=IE103801

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The Battle of Belmont was fought on November 7, 1861, in Mississippi County, Missouri.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Belmont

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First Division, Western Department
MG Leonidas Polk

Reinforcements brought by BG Pillow
BG Gideon Johnson Pillow

12th Tennessee: Col Robert M. Russell, Ltc Tyree H. Bell
13th Tennessee: Col John Vines Wright, Ltc Alfred Jefferson Vaughan, Jr.
21st Tennessee: Col Edward Pickett, Jr.
22nd Tennessee: Col Thomas J. Freeman

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No. 20. Report of Colonel John V. Wright, Thirteenth Tennessee Infantry.

HDQRS. THIRTEENTH TENNESSEE REGIMENT,

Columbus, Ky., November 8, 1861.

On yesterday morning at 9 o'clock, in obedience to orders, I caused my regiment to be formed, and marched rapidly to a position in front of headquarters of Brigadier-General Pillow. From thence I was ordered on board the steamer Prince, and conveyed across the river to the Missouri shore, where I was met by General Pillow, who ordered me to form my line as rapidly as possible on the extreme left and immediately to the left of Watson's Battery of artillery. This last order was promptly obeyed by marching the regiment to the distance of three-quarters of a mile to a position where we found the battery already posted. I was ordered by General Pillow in person to detach from my command a company to be sent to the left, and posted on a road leading down the river. I accordingly, through Lieutenant-Colonel Vaughan, detached Company A, under the command of Lieutenant Matt. Rhea, for that purpose. I was then ordered by General Pillow to hold my position, and if the firing on the right (which had already commenced) should continue for any considerable time to move my regiment up to the right. My regiment was posted on an open field near the edge of the woods, and on ground considerably elevated. It was about 10 o'clock in the morning when I took my position on the field, and had been there but a short time until was actively engaged by the enemy, who were posted behind the woods in my front. Though only about 80 yards, in front of me, the obstructions were so numerous that the enemy could not be seen. My men returned the fire almost immediately, and stood their ground, bravely defending their position, though the killed and wounded were falling thick and fast on every side.

In a very short time after the attack commenced on me I heard a heavy fire of musketry on my left, and knew that Lieutenant Rhea, with his command, was engaging the enemy. I immediately communicated this intelligence to General Pillow, meantime holding my position, my men receiving and returning an incessant fire. This was kept up for near an hour and a half, when I ordered Lieutenant-Colonel Vaughan to report to General Pillow that my ammunition was nearly exhausted and that my men were suffering greatly from the fire of the enemy. Colonel Vaughan returned, and brought with him orders from General Pillow for my regiment to retire. I gave the order, and the regiment retired to near the river, where some confusion occurred, and a portion of the regiment went up the river, led by Colonel Vaughan, and the balance followed me up the bank of the river,taking protection from the artillery under the bank of the river. The two lines were united again at the upper landing, where I was ordered by Colonel J. Knox Walker, commanding brigade, to fall in with my command on the left of the Second Tennessee Regiment and proceed to charge the enemy. This was done most promptly, and in a short time we found ourselves in the presence of the enemy, who were moving to the right. We formed line rapidly, and poured a most destructive fire upon them, my men shouting and huzzaing as they rushed on to the charge.

At this time I was on foot, having had my horse shot under me in the previous engagement. Here a great number of the enemy were killed and wounded and a great many prisoners captured. Soon after this I was ordered by General Pillow to halt my regiment and march back to the river with the prisoners, resupply my men with ammunition, and wait there for orders. I gave the order, but owing to the noise a large number of my men did not hear the command, and only a portion halted, the others continuing in pursuit of the flying enemy until they made their escape on the boats. They returned, bringing with them many more prisoners.

My loss was about 149 in killed, wounded, and missing; that is to say, 25 non-commissioned officers and privates and 2 commissioned officers killed, 73 privates wounded, and 49 missing. Most of those missing are from the company (A) which was sent out under Lieutenant Rhea as skirmishers, and are supposed to have been captured by the enemy attempting to rejoin the regiment. Captain Burton of Company A, was not in command of his company, on account of sickness, but he was on the field near his men, and Lieutenants Rhea and Middlemas were both killed, fighting bravely. Captains Wisdom, Wilkins, Morgan, Pittman, and Latta were wounded, but not dangerously. Adjutant Morgan was slightly wounded in the arm, as was Surg. J. A. Forbes. Lieutenant-Colonel Vaughan had two horses shot under him, and exposed himself, most gallantly discharging his duties. Lieutenant Arnold, of Company A, was slightly wounded in the breast. Lieutenant Edwards, of Company I, was wounded.

I feel that it is due I should mention the names of H. H. Falls and Arch. Houston, citizens of Tennessee, and Charles L. Roberts, citizen of Alabama, who were here temporarily, and who fell into the ranks and fought with the regiment during the engagement. Mr. Houston was wounded in the face by the bursting of a shell, and Mr. Roberts was killed early in the engagement.

I cannot speak in terms of praise too high were I to attempt to do justice to the gallant officers and men under my command. Though unused to war, and in their first engagement, they stood and received a fire from the enemy which might have made veterans quail, and did not abandon their position until their object was accomplished, and they were ordered by General Pillow to retire. To mention all the individual acts of bravery and gallant bearing would make this report too lengthy. Suffice it to say that all, officers and men, behaved themselves bravely and coolly, and to my entire satisfaction.

Respectfully, your obedient servant,

JNO. V. WRIGHT,
Colonel, Commanding Thirteenth Tennessee Regiment.

Colonel J. KNOX WALKER,
Commanding First Brigade, First Division.
OR V3, pp. 333/6
http://ehistory.osu.edu/books/official-records/003/0335

See Col. Vaughn’s follow on report No. 21 to Gen. Polk’s inquiry, page 336