The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Second Lieutenant Robert Goldthwaite Carter, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 10 October 1871, while serving with 4th U.S. Cavalry, in action at Brazos River, Texas. Second Lieutenant Carter held the left of the line with a few men during the charge of a large body of Indians, after the right of the line had retreated, and by delivering a rapid fire succeeded in checking the enemy until other troops came to the rescue.