Washington Carroll Tevis (February 22, 1829 – September 29, 1900), also known as Charles Carroll Tevis, Nassim Bey and Charles Carroll de Taillevis, was an American-born soldier of fortune who served in a variety of armies and conflicts during the 19th century.
Early life
Washington C. Tevis was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on February 22, 1829. His parents were Benjamin Tevis (1789–1845), a Unitarian and an auctioneer and commission merchant and Mary Hunter. Born in Maryland, Benjamin served as a First Lieutenant with the 39th Regiment of Maryland Militia during the War of 1812. Benjamin was involved with the Whig Party and the Hibernian Society of Philadelphia. In addition to Washington, the Tevis family had a daughter Martha Heloise Tevis who was born on August 7, 1826, but died on August 8, 1827.
Washington entered the University of Pennsylvania in 1842 and graduated in 1845 with a Master of Arts degree.
United States Army
With an ongoing situation of war with Mexico brewing, Tevis was appointed at large to the United States Military Academy at West Point on June 30, 1845. He graduated 24th in his class of 43 on 1 July, 1849, He was commissioned a Brevet Second Lieutenant with the Regiment of Mounted Riflemen. Tevis trained at the School of Cavalry Practice but resigned his commission on May 12, 1850. From May 1850 to November 1851 Tevis was a member of the prestigious First Troop Philadelphia City Cavalry.
France, the Near East and the Crimean War
Financed by the inheritance from his late father Tevis traveled to Paris. There he began using the name "Charles Carroll Tevis". He converted to Roman Catholicism in 1853 where he received Baptism in the Chapel of the Archbishop of Paris, from the hands of then Monsignor Georges Darboy who was charged with Tevis's instruction and preparation in the faith.
On February 4, 1854, he was commissioned a Major or Binbashi in the army of the Ottoman Empire and soon advanced to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel or Kaymakam. He adopted the name of "Nessim Bey". Initially a staff officer Tevis led a force of Bashi-bazouks under General György Kmety in the Battle of Kurekdere, Battle of Indjédéré and the Siege of Kars. He was made an Officer in the Order of the Medjidie, a Grand Officer in the Order of Glory of the Ottoman Empire and was awarded the Medal for the Defence of Kars and the British Crimea Medal.
Tevis left the army in 1855 to return to Paris. There he published a book of warfare La Petite guerre et le service des avant-postes published by Guiraudet et Jouaust in 1855 and patented a revolver.
Return to the United States
Tevis returned to Philadelphia in approximately 1859 and applied to have his name changed to Charles Carroll de Taillevis; believing it to be his original family name from a Huguenot who came to America in 1702.
Tevis eloped with Blanche Florance, the daughter of Jacob Florance, a successful merchant, and Hannah Levy Florance, of Philadelphia, in November 1860. Her parents, who were Jewish, reportedly objected to the marriage because Tevis was Christian. As a result, she was disinherited, though her father left her an inheritance after his death in 1867.
The American Civil War
Though an experienced cavalryman, Tevis was commissioned a Lieutenant Colonel of Infantry in the United States Volunteers; the second in command of the 4th Delaware Volunteer Infantry Regiment on August 18, 1862. In addition to organising the regiment and serving with them at the defence of Baltimore he was involved in operations around Gloucester Point, Virginia. In June 1863 Lt. Col Tevis led a combined infantry force of 400 men, from several regiments in addition to his 4th Delaware, in an amphibious operation in the vicinity of Walkerton, Virginia, where his men successfully destroyed a large amount of Confederate supplies.
In September 1863 Lt. Col Tevis was selected by Brigadier General Robert C. Schenck to organise and lead an unusual cavalry regiment, the 3rd Maryland Volunteer Cavalry composed of hundreds of Confederate prisoners of war who agreed to serve the Union; many were captured at the Battle of Gettysburg.