James Edward Carpenter (March 6, 1841 – August 16, 1901) served in the Union Army in 1861 as a private in the 8th Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment.

[2] During the night of September 17/18, 1862, he was wounded seriously inside the elbow in the engagement at Philomont, Virginia, on the advance at the end of the fighting at the Battle of Antietam.

[2] In the early evening of May 2, 1863, he was part of the heroic, but ultimately futile, charge of the Eighth Pennsylvania Cavalry against Confederate General Jackson's Corp flanking attack during the Battle of Chancellorsville.

Hooker had sent 7,500 cavalry troopers with Major General George Stoneman to raid behind the Confederate line into their supply and communications.

Brevet Major Carpenter for the next eighteen months excelled in this position, providing good documentation and order.

[7] He encouraged and financially assisted his brother, Brigadier General Louis H. Carpenter in the updating of their father's genealogical family history.

"[2] James Edward Carpenter died suddenly while visiting his daughter Mrs. Helen Mosley on August 16, 1901, in Newburyport, Massachusetts.