Charles Ellet Jr. Papers, 1839-1929 | Illinois History and Lincoln Collections

Scope and Contents:

The microfilm includes correspondence between Charles Ellet, Jr., and his family, Ellet's business correspondence, newspaper clippings concerning his family or friends, military papers, and reports on Civil War actions and family matters after Ellet's death in 1862.

Biographical/Historical Context:

Charles Ellet, Jr. was a civil engineer and innovator in naval tactics. He designed and built bridges and railroads in Virginia and Pennsylvania and was involved in engineering improvements for rivers and canals. He was commissioned Colonel in the Union Army and made commander of the Union ram fleet. At the Battle of Memphis in 1862, naval rams under Ellet's leadership contributed significantly to the Union's victory. Ellet died that year as a result of a wound he suffered during the engagement at Memphis.

Acquisition Source: The original Charles Ellet, Jr. Papers are located in the University of Michigan's Special Collections Library. The microfilm copies of these papers were acquired from Dr. Robert Sutton in 1973.