Born in Machias, New York, on March 6, 1836, Fletcher M. Follett was a physician and surgeon in Buffalo, New York, when he entered the U.S. Navy as an acting assistant surgeon on January 17, 1863. Ordered to duty with the Mississippi Squadron, Follett traveled to Cairo, Illinois, and reported to Acting Rear Admiral David D. Porter. Follett was assigned to the U.S.S. Pittsburgh, a City Class ironclad gunboat. Pittsburgh was assigned to patrol duties along the Mississippi River until it was decommissioned in November 1865.

In July 1865, Follett was detached from the Mississippi Squadron and granted three months leave, and was discharged on October 12, 1865.

He married Ella Ripley in October 1865, and lived in Pennsylvania and New York. He died on June 14, 1918, and is buried in Mount View Cemetery, Olean, New York.

Carte-de-Visite by J.B. Leonard, Mound City, Illinois.

Image Courtesy Wilson’s Creek National Battlefield; WICR 12400