The USS Carondelet, a 175-foot ironclad river gunboat built in 1861 by James Eads, St. Louis, Missouri, was commissioned on January 15, 1862, at Cairo, Illinois and assigned to the Western Flotilla. Under the command of Captain Henry A. Walke, Carondelet had a crew of 251 officers and men.

Between January and October 1862, the Carondelet operated almost constantly on river patrol and was actively involved in the capture of Fort Henry and Fort Donelson. On July 15, 1862, while engaged with the CSS Arkansas, the Carondelet suffered heavy damage and 35 casualties. Carondelet coxswain John G. Morrison was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism in the engagement. His citation read, “When the Carondelet was badly cut up, several of her crew killed, many wounded and others almost suffocated from the effects of escaped steam, Morrison was the leader when boarders were called on deck, and the first to return to the guns and give the ram a broadside as she passed. His presence of mind in time of battle or trial is reported as always conspicuous and encouraging.”

The Carondelet also served at Island No. 10, Memphis, in the successful “run” past the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg, and in the Red River campaign.

The USS Carondelet was decommissioned on June 20, 1865.

Albumen by Unknown Photographer

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 30184-K