Joseph Christmas Ives facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Christmas Ives
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| Born | December 25, 1829 New York City |
| Died | November 12, 1868 (aged 38) New York City |
| Allegiance | United States of America Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1852–1861 (USA) 1861–1865 (CSA) |
| Rank |  First lieutenant (USA) Colonel (CSA) |
| Unit | Topographical Engineers |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Cora Semmes Ives |
| Children | Eugene S. Ives |
| Other work | Botanist, explorer |
Joseph Christmas Ives (born December 25, 1829 – died November 12, 1868) was an American soldier, a scientist who studied plants (a botanist), and an explorer. He is best known for exploring the Colorado River in 1858.
Contents
Early Life and Military Career
Joseph Christmas Ives was born in New York City on Christmas Day in 1829. He went to Bowdoin College and graduated in 1848. He then earned his master's degree in 1851.
In 1852, Ives graduated from the United States Military Academy. This is a famous school for training army officers. From 1853 to 1854, he worked as a Second lieutenant for the U.S. Army. He joined the Topographical Engineers. This group mapped land and designed military projects. He helped survey land for a possible railroad route. This survey was along the 35th parallel across the country.
Exploring the Colorado River
From 1857 to 1858, Ives led an important expedition. His goal was to explore the Colorado River from its mouth. He wanted to see how far up the river boats could travel.
The Steamboat Explorer
Ives designed and built his own stern-wheel steamboat. This type of boat has a large paddle wheel at the back. He named his boat the Explorer. It was 54 feet long. He shipped the boat in pieces to the Colorado River Delta. At a place called Robinson's Landing, he put the boat back together.
He then used the Explorer to map and survey the river. His team included Smithsonian scientist John Strong Newberry. Newberry was a geologist, studying rocks and the Earth. A German artist named Balduin Möllhausen also joined them.
Journey Upstream
Ives and his team traveled up the Colorado River. They went past the Black Canyon of the Colorado. They reached an area near Fortification Rock. The next day, they went a bit further to Las Vegas Wash. Ives thought this might be the Virgin River, but it seemed too small.
The journey was difficult because of fast-moving water and rapids. Ives realized that the river above Fortification Rock was too hard to navigate. He decided that this point, about 550 miles from the river's mouth, was the practical end for boats. He noted that during summer floods, the river would be even more dangerous.
Ives then returned to the Mohave Villages. From there, he traveled across northern Arizona to Fort Defiance.
Reporting the Findings
Ives wrote a report about his discoveries in 1861. It was called Report upon the Colorado river of the West. His expedition created one of the first important maps of the Grand Canyon. This map was drawn by Frederick W. von Egloffstein, who was the expedition's topographer (mapmaker).
Later Life and Civil War
After his river exploration, Ives worked on the Washington National Monument. He was an engineer and architect for this famous landmark from 1859 to 1860.
When the American Civil War began, Ives chose to join the Confederate Army. This was even though he was born in the North. He worked in several engineering roles during the war. From 1863 to 1865, he served as an aide to President Jefferson Davis. He held the rank of colonel.
After the war ended in 1865, Joseph Christmas Ives moved back to New York City. He passed away there on November 12, 1868.
In 1855, he married Cora Semmes Ives. Their son, Eugene S. Ives (1859–1917), later became a New York State Senator. He also served as President of the Arizona Territorial Council.
See also
In Spanish: Joseph Christmas Ives para niños
