James Patton Taylor Carter (July 30, 1822 – September 28/29, 1869) was a Union army officer during the American Civil War and led the 2nd Tennessee Infantry Regiment.

[2] Details of Carter's education have been lost, but his correspondence shows he was literate with solid language skills.

[3] The next month, Carter was one of "three brave men" who escorted Andrew Johnson from Greeneville, Tennessee to Washington D.C.[6] While they were fired upon several times during their journey through the Cumberland Gap, the group arrived safely at their destination.

[3] Shortly after his arrival in Washington, Carter left on a secret mission involving the arming of Union supporters in eastern Tennessee by the U.S. federal government.

[6] He saw action during the battles of Mill Springs and Murfreesboro as well as during the pursuit of John Hunt Morgan[7] Carter became a brigade commander in the XXIII Corps on July 15, 1863.

[6] Carter resigned on May 2, 1864, saying "I have become ... a supernumerary officer in the service of the United States" following "the capture of about three-fourths of my command".

[2] At the end of the war he found himself impoverished by the seizure of his property by Confederate forces, and in poor health.

[6] Following the war, Carter decided to move west in a hope the change would help restore both his health and his wealth.

[6] The 3rd Arizona Territorial Legislature convened a month after his arrival and the new secretary was responsible for swearing in the members of the House of Representatives.

[10] Carter accompanied McCormick part of the way, returning to Prescott in February 1867 to serve as acting governor.

[12] To ensure transit of the territorial library, Carter paid $76 in freight charges from his personal funds.

Carter called for the United States Congress, in its supervisory capacity, to pass legislation correcting the issue.

With his friend no longer in office, Carter, who had a reputation for supporting Johnson's policies while denouncing the Republican party, expected to be quickly replaced.

[18] Carter died September 28/29, 1869 at Rancho San Francisco between Caborca and Puerto Libertad, Sonora.