Carson, Christopher (Kit)

US frontiersman, guide, scout, and trapper

apprenticed to saddlemaker 1825, but fled to Santa Fe 1826

joined expedition to California 1829-1831

worked as trapper throughout western frontier 1831-1842

hired by John C. Fremont as guide for three expeditions 1842, 1843-1844, 1845-1846

fought under Stephen Kearny at battle of San Pascual in Mexican War 1846, sneaking through surrounding enemy forces to summon aid from San Diego

served as US Indian agent to Ute tribe 1853-1861

led volunteer troops in Civil War, primarily fighting Native American groups in Texas and southwestern US

commander of Fort Garland, Colorado 1866-1867

eponym of Carson City, Nevada

with Jim Bridger and John Colter, one of the three people originally intended to be carved into Mount Rushmore