Joseph Christmas Ives
Encyclopedia
Joseph Christmas Ives soldier, botanist, explorer of the Colorado River
in 1858.
Ives was born in New York City
in 1828 and was a graduate of the United States Military Academy
in 1852. As a Lieutenant
from 1853 to 1854 he was appointed by the U.S. Army to the Topographical Engineers as assistant to Lt. A.W. Whipple
in the Pacific Railroad survey along the 35th parallel.
From 1857 to 1858 Ives commanded an expedition to explore up the Colorado River from its mouth. At Robinson's Landing
he built then used the 54 foot paddlewheel steamboat Explorer to map and survey the river. His party included Smithsonian associate John Strong Newberry
as geologist. He led his party up the Colorado to the lower end of the Grand Canyon
, then struck out across the desert to Fort Defiance
in Colorado. Ives Reported his findings in his 1861 Report upon the Colorado river of the West The Ives expedition produced one of the important early maps of the Grand Canyon drawn by F. W. v. Egloffstein, topographer to the expedition.
Ives next served as engineer and architect for the Washington National Monument from 1859 to 1860. During the American Civil War
he joined the Confederate Army and served in several engineering capacities, and was finally appointed aide-de-camp to President Jefferson Davis
from 1863 to 1865. After the war he settled in New York City where he died November 12, 1868.
Colorado River
The Colorado River , is a river in the Southwestern United States and northwestern Mexico, approximately long, draining a part of the arid regions on the western slope of the Rocky Mountains. The watershed of the Colorado River covers in parts of seven U.S. states and two Mexican states...
in 1858.
Ives was born in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
in 1828 and was a graduate of the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1852. As a Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
from 1853 to 1854 he was appointed by the U.S. Army to the Topographical Engineers as assistant to Lt. A.W. Whipple
Amiel Weeks Whipple
Amiel Weeks Whipple was an American military engineer and surveyor. He served as a brigadier general in the American Civil War, where he was killed in action. Fort Whipple, now Fort Myer, was named in his honor.-Biography:...
in the Pacific Railroad survey along the 35th parallel.
From 1857 to 1858 Ives commanded an expedition to explore up the Colorado River from its mouth. At Robinson's Landing
Robinson's Landing
Robinson's Landing was a location in Baja California on the west bank of the Colorado River northwest of the north tip of Montague Island in the mouth of the river on the Sea of Cortez. It was the place where cargo was unloaded in the river from seagoing craft on to flatbottomed steamboats and...
he built then used the 54 foot paddlewheel steamboat Explorer to map and survey the river. His party included Smithsonian associate John Strong Newberry
John Strong Newberry
John Strong Newberry was a American geologist, physician, explorer, author, and a member of the Megatherium Club at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C....
as geologist. He led his party up the Colorado to the lower end of the Grand Canyon
Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is a steep-sided canyon carved by the Colorado River in the United States in the state of Arizona. It is largely contained within the Grand Canyon National Park, the 15th national park in the United States...
, then struck out across the desert to Fort Defiance
Fort Defiance
Fort Defiance may refer to:Canada*Fort Defiance , winter quarters for American Captain Robert GrayUnited States* Fort Defiance, Arizona, an unincorporated community* Fort Defiance , formerly Roop's Fort, located in Susanville...
in Colorado. Ives Reported his findings in his 1861 Report upon the Colorado river of the West The Ives expedition produced one of the important early maps of the Grand Canyon drawn by F. W. v. Egloffstein, topographer to the expedition.
Ives next served as engineer and architect for the Washington National Monument from 1859 to 1860. During the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
he joined the Confederate Army and served in several engineering capacities, and was finally appointed aide-de-camp to President Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Davis
Jefferson Finis Davis , also known as Jeff Davis, was an American statesman and leader of the Confederacy during the American Civil War, serving as President for its entire history. He was born in Kentucky to Samuel and Jane Davis...
from 1863 to 1865. After the war he settled in New York City where he died November 12, 1868.