Solano County Biography
Edmund R. Colhoun, U.S.N.
Edmund R. Colhoun, U.S.N. - Commandant Mare Island Navy Yard, was born in Pennsylvania, May 6, 1821; appointed midshipman from Missouri, April 1, 1839; attached to sloop "Marion," Brazil Squadron, 1839-41; frigate "Congress," Mediterranean and Brazil Squadrons, 1842-44; Naval School, Philadelphia, 1845; promoted to passed Midshipman, July 2, 1845; frigate " Cumberland," Home Squadron, 1846-47. Commodore Colhoun took part in the Mexican war, being present at the first attack on Alvarado, under Commodore Connor, and that at Tabasco, under Commodore Perry, which resulted in its capture. Served as passed Midshipman on board the armed prize schooner "Novata"; attached to title receiving ship "Philadelphia," 1850-51; frigate "St. Lawrence" Pacific Squadron, 1851-53; resigned, June 27, 1853. Re-entered the service as Acting Lieutenant in 1861; commsaxded steamers "Shawsheen" and "Hunchback," North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1861-62. Was present at and took part in the following engagements: Battle of Roanoke Island, February 7 and 8, 1862; capture of Newbem, March 14, 1862; engagements on the Blackwater river, below Franklin, Virginia, October, 1862; received his commission as Commander November 17, 1862; commanded steamer "Ladona," North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1863; commanding monitor " Weehawken," South Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1863; was present at the different actions with Forts Sumter, Wagner, Beauregard, etc., from July 10 to September 15,1863; commanded the monitor " Saugas," North Atlantic Blockading Squadron, 1864-65; engaged Hewlett's Battery on James river, June 21, and again on December 5, 1864; took part in the bombardment of Fort Fisher, December 25,1864, and the different engagements therewith until its capture on January 15, 1865; was on special duty at New York, 1866; Fleet Captain, South Pacific Squadron, 1866-67, and commissioned as Captain 1869; commanded iron clad "Dictator" 1869-70; appointed in 1873 to command the flag-ship " Hartford," on the Asiatic Station; was in command of that Station four months, when he was transferred to the "Richmond" flag-ship, on the South Pacific Station, where he served from August, 1874, to July, 1875. The Commodore's next official duties were in connection with the Centennial Exhibition at Philadelphia, where he was three months, when he was placed on the at Washington, serving on it for six months. Promoted to the rank of Commodore April 26, 1876, and, having been appointed to Mare Island Navy Yard, he relieved Admiral Rodgers of the command April 17, 1877. Commodore Colhoun is married and has a family.
History of Solano County, California
Transcribed by Julie Appletoft, February Pages 343-344
Solano County Biographies ~ Archive Biography Index ~ Archive Index
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