John Alfred Ellet (June 22, 1838–April 12, 1892) was an lieutenant colonel in the

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

during the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

. He commanded the ram until she sank on March 23, 1863, while attempting to steam past the batteries of

Vicksburg, Mississippi Vicksburg is a historic city in Warren County, Mississippi, United States. It is the county seat, and the population at the 2010 census was 23,856. Located on a high bluff on the east bank of the Mississippi River across from Louisiana, Vic ...

, at night. He served as commanding officer of the United States Ram Fleet after his cousin Charles Rivers Ellet stepped down due to illness. He was the son of Johan Israel and Laura (Scarlett) Ellet, nephew of Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr. and Brigadier General

Alfred W. Ellet Alfred Washington Ellet (October 11, 1820 – January 9, 1895) was a brigadier general in the Union Army who commanded the United States Ram Fleet and the Mississippi Marine Brigade during the American Civil War. Early life and education Elle ...

and cousin to Charles Rivers Ellet. He died in Boulder, Colorado and was interred at Columbia Cemetery.

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.

Notes

References

* * {{DEFAULTSORT:Ellet, John A. 1838 births 1892 deaths Burials in Colorado People of Pennsylvania in the American Civil War Union Navy officers United States Ram Fleet