Lewis (Louis) Carter, aka Lewis Cobb, was born in Albemarle County, Virginia around the year 1842. Lewis was one of the Carter family slaves who originally lived in Albemarle County until moving to Missouri in 1852. While still enslaved, Lewis Carter enlisted in the Union Army for a period of three years on December 10, 1863, at the age of 21. Lewis then mustered into the 65th USCT Infantry Regiment on December 18, as a private in Company A. Giving his occupation as farmer, he was described as 5 feet, 5 inches tall, with black hair, eyes, and complexion.
The 65th USCT was responsible for multiple jobs throughout the war. At one point, they performed Garrison duties at both Morganza and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, for the Department of the Gulf. While this regiment did not see much military action during the war, it suffered many casualties due to the rampant diseases that claimed the lives of more than 750 men. Lewis spent most of his time in the army as a carpenter while the regiment was located in the fort. Then, on December 17, 1866, Lewis Carter mustered out of his unit due to expiration of his term of service. He did not file a pension, and no further details of his post-war life have been found.