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Edmund Ross Colhoun (6 May 1821 – 17 February 1897) was a rear admiral of the United States Navy who served during the Mexican War and the American Civil War, in which he was commended for his participation in the bombardment and capture of Fort Fisher.
Colhoun next served aboard the frigate from 1846 to 1847, seeing action in the Mexican War, first under Commodore David Conner in the first attack on Alvarado, Mexico, and then under Commodore Matthew C. Perry at Tabasco, Mexico.Hamersly, p. 38.
From 1850 to 1851, Colhoun served aboard a receiving ship at Philadelphia, then aboard the frigate in the Pacific Squadron from 1851 to 1853, being promoted to master on 6 January 1853. He resigned from the Navy on 27 June 1853.Hamersly, p. 38. Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-1900.
Promoted to commander on 17 November 1862, Colhoun took command of the steamer in the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in 1863. Later that year, he became commanding officer of the monitor in the South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, and led Weehawken in various actions against Confederate forts – among them Fort Sumter, Fort Wagner, and Fort Beauregard – between 10 July and 15 September 1863. He next commanded the monitor from 1864 to 1865, engaging Howlett's Battery on the James River in Virginia on 21 June and 5 December 1864 and taking her into action in North Carolina in both the First Battle of Fort Fisher in December 1864 and the Second Battle of Fort Fisher in January 1865. He was commended for his participation in the bombardment and capture of Fort Fisher.Hamersly, p. 38. Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-1900.
After the war, Colhoun had special duty at New York City in 1866 before serving as Fleet Captain of the Pacific Squadron from 1866 to 1867. He was promoted to captain on 2 March 1869 and was commanding officer of the monitor from 1869 to 1870. He commanded the sloop-of-war , flagship of the Asiatic Squadron, from 1873 to 1874 and was in command of the entire Asiatic Squadron from 12 January 1874 to 29 May 1874. He then took command of the sloop-of-war , flagship of the South Pacific Squadron, in August 1874.Hamersly, p. 38. Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-1900. Butler and Brooks, p. 4.
Leaving Richmond in July 1875, Colhoun was promoted to commodore on 26 April 1876 and took command of Mare Island Navy Yard in Vallejo, California, on 17 April 1877. On 15 January 1881, he relinquished command of the navy yard and was on special duty until 1882 as inspector of vessels in California. He was promoted to rear admiral on 3 December 1882 and retired from the Navy on 6 May 1883 upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 62.Hamersly, p. 38. Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-1900. Anonymous, "Death List of a Day," The New York Times, February 19, 1897.
Colhoun died suddenly of heart failure at his home in Washington, D.C., late on the evening of 17 February 1897. Anonymous. "Death of Rear Admiral Colhoun." The New York Times. February 18, 1897. He is buried with his wife at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. Naval History and Heritage Command: Officers of the Continental and U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, 1775-1900.
Namesakes
Two U.S. Navy have been named in Colhoun's honor.
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Categories: 1821 Births, 1897 Deaths, People From Chambersburg, Pennsylvania, Military Personnel From Pennsylvania, American Military Personnel Of The Mexican–american War, People Of Pennsylvania In The American Civil War, Union Navy Officers, United States Navy Rear Admirals, Military Personnel From Washington, D.c., Burials At Arlington National Cemetery
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