Lot 999

CHARLES ELLET, JR.

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CHARLES ELLET, JR.

Estimate: $300 - $400

Current Bid: $160

(1 Bid)

by Alexander Historical Auctions LLC
July 31, 2026 10:00 AM EDT
Live Auction
106 East Main Street, Suite 103
Elkton, MD, US 21921

CHARLES ELLET, JR.
(1810 - 1862) Civil War engineer and an expert in navigating the Mississippi; planned and built the first suspension bridge at Wheeling, Virginia; commissioned as an aide-de-camp with rank of colonel to command a fleet of rams. On June 6, 1862, he led his flotilla to victory at the First Battle of Memphis, virtually annihilating the opposing Confederate squadron …only to die of wounds 15 days later, the only Union casualty of the engagement. Rare, fine association and content war-date A.L.S., 3pp. 4to., Georgetown, Aug. 16, 1861, to Secretary of War SIMON CAMERON (1799-1889), proposing to raise a brigade of engineers to repair vital infrastructure destroyed by retreating Confederate forces. In full: ‘I have proposed to General [George B.] McClellan to raise a strong corps, or brigade, composed of Civil Engineers, Mechanics, Surveyors, and rail road men generally – just such men as are needed to locate, survey, construct and manage a rail road line; and embracing, therefore, almost all classes of skilled mechanics, as well as common laborers. General McClellan has caused me to be informed that if I raise this corps it will be accepted; but that the President only has the power to authorize me to raise it. The object of this Brigade is to build and rebuild bridges; repair the rail roads and rail road machinery which will be destroyed by a retiring enemy, and run the roads for the use of the army; to open new roads where they are needed; and to lay out and construct intrenchments [sic] and field works: In fact to execute all mechanical work required by an army in a hostile country. This corps will be, almost necessarily, less military in its organization - owing to the multiplication of its duties – than ordinary troops. It should be composed of a superior class of men – not only of men skilled as workmen, but of established character. It would be easy enough for me to get together a large body of mechanics, under a verbal promise of employment. But I think that, to raise such a corps as I wish to command, it is altogether important that my proceedings should have the preliminary sanction of the Department. For that object I submit this application…' He signs in full at the conclusion. Shows original mailing folds, faintly toned at the top edge, otherwise in fine condition. In a sense, Ellet's suggestions here predict the establishment of the U.S. Navy's Construction Battalions, or ‘Seabees', during World War II, but he would be ignored by the Army establishment until Edwin M. Stanton, who would replace Cameron as Secretary of War in 1862, would authorize him to raise his ram fleet under Stanton's direct command.

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Bid Increments
From: To: Increments:
$0 $99 $10
$100 $499 $20
$500 $999 $50
$1,000 $1,999 $100
$2,000 $4,999 $250
$5,000 $9,999 $500
$10,000 $19,999 $1,000
$20,000 $49,999 $2,500
$50,000 $99,999 $5,000
$100,000 + $10,000