Eolus was built at Newburgh, New York, for civilian employment, but was purchased by the Union Navy upon completion.

Outfitted as a gunboat, she was commissioned in August 1864 and, following a brief search off the Atlantic Coast for the Confederate raider, CSS Tallahassee joined the blockading forces off North Carolina.

Eolus patrolled the coast, rivers, and sounds of North Carolina, enforcing the blockade and acting as picket.

Late in the year and in mid-January 1865, Eolus took part in the attacks that captured Fort Fisher, thus closing the port of Wilmington to blockade runners.

USS Eolus was sold at the beginning of August 1865 and soon began a long career as a commercial steamer.