George Musalas "Colvos" Colvocoresses (October 22, 1816 – June 3, 1872) was a Greek-American Navy officer who commanded the USS Saratoga (1842) during the American Civil War. From 1838 up until 1842, he took part in the United States Exploring Expedition, which explored large regions of the Pacific Ocean.

Biography

Early life

He was born on the island of Chios in the Greek Archipelago on October 22, 1816. As a member of a prominent Greek family, he was kidnapped along with his mother and two sisters and ransomed from the Turks after the massacre of the Greek population of the island in 1822, during the Greek War of Independence. His family's fortunes were devastated by the massacre. Most close relatives, including six brothers, were killed. He was enslaved at 6 years of age, but his father managed to buy back his freedom. By 1824, Colvocoresses was sent to Baltimore in the United States by his father. He became the adopted son of Captain Alden Partridge, the founder of the American Literary, Scientific, and Military Academy (later Norwich University) in Norwich, Vermont. Colvocoresses entered the Navy after graduating from the Academy in 1831. Several generations of his family have also graduated from Norwich and followed military careers.

Naval career

In 1832, he was appointed a midshipman, and in 1836–1837 attached to the frigate USS United States (1797) on the Mediterranean Squadron. From 1838 up until 1842, he served in the United States Exploring Expedition, better known as the Wilkes Expedition of the Pacific Ocean. Colvocoresses authored a work on the Wilkes Expedition in 1852, entitled Four Years in a Government Exploring Expedition. He was promoted to lieutenant on December 7, 1843, and to commander on July 2, 1861. On January 29, 1862, the vessel USS Supply (1846), under his command, captured the Confederate schooner Stephen Hart off the south coast of Florida, carrying assorted cargo. In early August 1864 with 115 men in 7 boats from his sloop USS Saratoga (1842), he conducted an expedition to gather intelligence and capture enemy prisoners. Two week later, at South Newport, Georgia, Colvocoresses led 130 men in boats, capturing a lieutenant and 38 privates of the Third South Carolina Cavalry, six overseers of saltworks he had destroyed, and 71 slaves. He was promoted to captain and placed on the retired list on April 4, 1867. Colvocoresses was robbed and murdered in Bridgeport, Connecticut, on June 3, 1872, while on his way to New York. The case was never solved.

Legacy

Colvocoresses was married twice. His first wife was Eliza F. Halsey. They married in May 1846. Eliza was the daughter of Commander Thomas W. Freelon of the United States Navy. The couple had four children, including Frank E. and George P. After her death in the 1860s he remarried; his second wife was Adeline Maria Swasey.

Namesake

Other Greek American slaves