John A. Ellet

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

John A. Ellet
Born	(1838-06-22)June 22, 1838
Died	April 12, 1892(1892-04-12) (aged 53) Boulder, Colorado, US
Buried	Columbia Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	Union Army
Years of service	1863
Rank	Lieutenant colonel
Commands	United States Ram Fleet
Battles / wars	American Civil War
Relations	Charles Ellet, Jr. (uncle) Alfred W. Ellet (uncle) Charles R. Ellet (cousin)

He commanded the ram USS Lancaster 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]