Samuel Sprigg Carroll was born on September 21, 1832 in Washington, D. C. , United States; a descendant of that distinguished Maryland family of whom Charles Carroll of Carrollton is the best-known member. His father, William Thomas Carroll, was for many years clerk of the Supreme Court.
Sanuel was appointed a cadet at West Point in 1852 and graduated in 1856, among his classmates being Fitzhugh Lee.
Commissioned in the 10th Infantry, Carroll served on the frontier until 1860, when he returned to West Point as quartermaster of the Military Academy. He was not released for duty in the field until November 1861. Meanwhile he had been promoted to first lieutenant, April 25, and to captain, November I. He was then sent to West Virginia, on December 15 was appointed colonel of the 8th Ohio Infantry, and joined his regiment at Romney. He took part in the campaigns in the Shenandoah Valley and northern Virginia in the spring and summer of 1862, including the engagements at Kernstown, Port Republic, and Cedar Mountain. During part of this time he was with his regiment, but from May 24 he commanded a brigade in Shields's division, until he was wounded, August 14, in a skirmish on the Rapidan. Rejoining the army in September, upon his recovery, he commanded a brigade of the 3rd Corps at Fredericksburg. He was relieved from this in April 1863, at his own request, and placed in command of a brigade of the 2nd Corps, which he led at Chancellorsville and Gettysburg. He took part in the Bristoe Station and Mine Run operations in the autumn of 1863, and in the early part of the campaign of 1864. He was wounded at the battle of the Wilderness, May 5, while commanding his brigade, but continued on duty until May 13, when he was disabled by a severe wound in the fighting around Spottsylvania, while temporarily in charge of the division. He was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, May 12. It was December before he was again fit for duty. For a few weeks he served as a member of a court martial, and then was assigned to command in West Virginia. During the last days of the war he commanded a division in the Army of the Shenandoah. Mustered out of the volunteer service, January 15, 1866, he reverted to his regular army rank of captain, but on January 22, 1867, was appointed lieutenant-colonel of the 21st Infantry. His further service was short, however, for disability resulting from his wounds caused him to be placed on the retired list, June 9, 1869, the rank of major-general being given to him at the same time. He made his home in Washington, and died near that city in Montgomery County, Md. He was buried in Oak Hill Cemetery.
The Maryland native was most known for his service as the commander of the famed "Gibraltar Brigade, " an infantry brigade in the Army of the Potomac that played a key role during the defense of Cemetery Hill during the Battle of Gettysburg, as well as in repulsing a portion of Pickett's Charge. He fought in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign, Kernstown, Port Republic, and Cedar Mountain. He also took part in the Bristoe Station and Mine Run operations.
