The Real John Carter
03/08/2012
I've waited 50 years for this movie.
This weekend Disney releases, John Carter, the first movie adaptation of Edgar Rice Burroughs' A Princess of Mars. As a young reader in the 1960s I was intrigued by the main character. John Carter was one of the few Confederate heroes in adventure fiction.
Carter, a Confederate captain is transported to Barsoom (Mars) where he becomes embroiled in another Civil War; not one of his choosing. But like our Civil War, the war on Barsoom could be rightly called, "a rich man's war and a poor man's fight." Carter becomes embroiled in a struggle that changes the future of his new world.
As unique as John Carter is there have been a hand full of Confederate movie heroes. from Cold Mountain, The Outlaw Josey Wales, and even Birth of a Nation, Confederate soldiers have been portrayed as both noble and broken. see more at Screen Junkies.
But lets not forget the real John Carter:
John Carpenter Carter (December 19, 1837 – December 10, 1864) was a Brigadier General of the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War.
Early life
John Carpenter Carter was born in Waynesboro, Georgia on December 19, 1837. He attended the University of Virginia from 1854 to 1856. Carter studied law under Judge Abram Carruthers at Cumberland University in Lebanon, Tennessee, was an instructor at the school after his graduation, and married the judge's daughter. He was practicing law in Memphis, Tennessee when the Civil War began.
Civil War service
Carter entered the war as a captain in the 38th Tennessee Infantry regiment and quickly became its colonel. He commanded the regiment during the Battle of Shiloh, Battle of Perryville, Battle of Stones River, Battle of Chickamauga and Atlanta Campaign. Carter was promoted to brigadier general to rank from July 7, 1864. He temporarily commanded a division at the Battle of Jonesboro. Brigadier General John C. Carter was mortally wounded during the Battle of Franklin on November 30, 1864 and died December 10 in the Harrison home, 3 miles (4.8 km) south of the battlefield.
Aftermath
Brigadier General John C. Carter was buried at Rose Hill Cemetery, Columbia, Tennessee.
From Wikipedia