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DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY -- NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER
805 KIDDER BREESE SE -- WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060

Photo # NH 49622: Colonel Charles Rivers Ellet

Online Library of Selected Images:
-- PEOPLE -- UNITED STATES --

Charles Rivers Ellet (1843-1863) --
Colonel, U.S. Volunteers

Charles Rivers Ellet was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, on 1 June 1843, the son of the noted civil engineer Charles Ellet, Jr. He was studying medicine when the Civil War began and served as an Army Assistant Surgeon during 1861-62. In the spring of 1862, when his father established the U.S. Ram Fleet, an Army unit of river steamers converted to Rams, Charles Rivers Ellet transferred to that organization. Promoted to the rank of Colonel later in the year, he commanded the ram Queen of the West during her daring independent operations below Vicksburg in February 1863. He escaped when the ship was captured, and soon was placed in command of the ram Switzerland, in which he steamed passed the Vicksburg fortifications in March 1863. He later commanded the infantry of the Mississippi Marine Brigade until his health failed. Charles Rivers Ellet died at Bunker Hill, Illinois, on 29 October 1863.

USS Ellet (DD-398), which was in service in 1939-46, was named in honor of Charles Rivers Ellet and other members of his family.

This page features our only image of Charles Rivers Ellet.


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."

Click on the small photograph to prompt a larger view of the same image.

Photo #: NH 49622

Colonel Charles Rivers Ellet, U.S. Army


Halftone of a photograph taken circa 1863.

U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph.

Online Image: 86KB; 510 x 765 pixels

 


If you want higher resolution reproductions than the "Online Library's" digital images, see: "How to Obtain Photographic Reproductions."


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Page made 22 March 2000
New information and link added 26 February 2002