John A. Ellet Explained

John A. Ellet
Birth Date:22 June 1838
Death Place:Boulder, Colorado, US
Placeofburial:Columbia Cemetery
Allegiance:United States of America
Branch:Union Army
Serviceyears:1863
Rank:Lieutenant colonel
Commands:United States Ram Fleet
Battles:American Civil War
Relations:Charles Ellet, Jr. (uncle)
Alfred W. Ellet (uncle)
Charles R. Ellet (cousin)

John Alfred Ellet (June 22, 1838 - April 12, 1892) was an lieutenant colonel in the United States Army during the American Civil War.

He commanded the ram until she sank on March 23, 1863, while attempting to steam past the batteries of Vicksburg, Mississippi, at night.[1] He served as commanding officer of the United States Ram Fleet after his cousin Charles Rivers Ellet stepped down due to illness.[2]

He was the son of Johan Israel and Laura (Scarlett) Ellet, nephew of Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr. and Brigadier General Alfred W. Ellet and cousin to Charles Rivers Ellet.

He died in Boulder, Colorado and was interred at Columbia Cemetery.[3]

Namesakes

USS Ellet (DD-398), which was in service in 1939–46, was named in honor of John A. Ellet and other members of his family.[4]

References

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Brown Water Navy . www.nps.gov . National Park Service . 28 August 2020.
  2. Web site: Laidig . Scott . The Fighting Ellets: Ingenuity, Courage, Nepotism and Corruption? . www.ehistory.osu.edu . 16 August 2020.
  3. https://army.togetherweserved.com/army/servlet/tws.webapp.WebApp?cmd=ShadowBoxProfile&type=Person&ID=236689 togetherweserved
  4. Web site: USS Ellet (DD-398), 1939–1947 . U.S. Naval Historical Center . 2008-12-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20090530033444/http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/sh-usn/usnsh-e/dd398.htm . 2009-05-30 .