Career
At the age of twelve, Chistopher joined the British Army as an Ensign in the 31st Regiment of Foot. Before his first tour of duty in North America, Chistopher married Anne Howard, whose sister Maria was the wife of Guy Carleton. While in North America, Christopher Carleton met Sir William Johnson and lived among the Mohawk Indians, learning their language and partaking in their customs.
He would remark in later life that the time spent living with the Mohawks was the happiest of his life.
These skills would serve him well later. Christopher would be back in England when the American Revolutionary War broke out in 1775.
During the campaign leading up to the Battle of Valcour Island, Captain Christopher Carleton served on his uncle"s staff and in command of detachments of Indian allies.
In the Fall of 1778, Major
Chistopher Carleton led a raid along the shores of Lake Champlain burning the towns along Otter Creek in Vermont and taking the local militia men prisoner. Carleton"s Raid (1778) was very successful, destroying enough supplies for 12,000 men for a four month campaign. Major Carleton also showed that he was an expert in leading Native American warriors along with British Regulars and Loyalist troops, a feat that not many British officers could claim.
His time spent with the Mohawks in his youth had paid official
During the Burning of the Valleys campaign of 1780, Major Carleton lead another raid down Lake Champlain into the upper Hudson Valley capturing the forts at Fort Ann and Fort George with a mixed force of British Regulars, Loyalist troops, Hessians and Indians, including the 29th"s unique ranger company of John Enys.
The years spent on the cold northern frontiers of North America took their toll on now Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Carlton"s health and he died on June 14, 1787, at Quebec City.
