being mustered out of volunteer service in January 1866. While Carter was serving in the Union Army, the U.S. Navy promoted him to lieutenant commander in 1863, then to commander in 1865. Postbellum career Returning to naval service, Carter was appointed a commander due to his military record during the Civil War. Rejoining the Pacific Squadron, he commanded the USS Monocacy. He was promoted to captain in October 1870, served as commandant of midshipman in the Naval Academy until 1873, and returned to sea duty in Europe before being named a member of the Lighthouse Board in 1877. After the Civil War, Carter became a Veteran Companion of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States (MOLLUS), a military society composed of Union officers and their descendants. In 1877, Carter married Martha Custis Williams (1827–1899), a descendant of Martha Custis Washington. Promoted to commodore in November 1878, Carter retired in August 1881, shortly before being promoted to rear admiral on the retired list in May 1882. He lived in retirement until his death in Washington, D.C. Carter is buried in the Oak Hill Cemetery. A Tennessee Historical Marker located on West Elk Avenue in front of the S. P. Carter home in downtown Elizabethton, Tennessee, commemorates his life and naval career. Dates of rank Midshipman – 14 February 1840 Passed Midshipman – 11 July 1846 Master – 12 September 1854 Lieutenant – 18 April 1855 Brigadier General, Volunteer Army – 1 May 1862 Lieutenant Commander – 16 July 1862 Brevet Major General – Volunteer Army – 13 March 1865 Commander – 25 June 1865 Mustered out of Volunteer Army – 15 January 1866 Captain – 28 October 1870 Commodore – 13 November 1878 Retired List – 6 August 1881 Rear Admiral on Retired List – 16 May 1882 See also List of American Civil War generals (Union) Notes References Eicher, John H., and Eicher, David J., Civil War High Commands, Stanford University Press, 2001, . McHenry, Robert. Webster's American Military Biographies, Springfield, Mass.: G & C. Merriam Co., 1978. Piston, William Garrett, Carter's Raid: An Episode of the Civil War in East Tennessee, (Johnson City, Tenn.: The Overmountain Press, 1989). Temple, Oliver P. Notable Men of Tennessee, New York: Cosmopolitan Press, 1912, p. 89. "A Sketch of the Military Services of Sam. P. Carter, Brig. Genl. & Brevt. Maj. Genl. of U.S. Vols. during the Rebellion of