United States Ram Fleet

Last updated
United States Ram Fleet
Colonel Ellet's Ram Approaching the City of Memphis, Tennessee, to Demand its Surrender.jpg
United States Ram Fleet Approaching the City of Memphis, Tennessee to Demand Its Surrender
Active1862 - 1864
CountryFlag of the United States.svg  United States
Branch United States Army
Commanders
Notable
commanders
Col. Charles Ellet Jr.
Col. Alfred W. Ellet
Col. Charles R. Ellet
Lt. Col. John A. Ellet

The United States Ram Fleet was a Union Army unit of steam powered ram ships during the American Civil War. The unit was independent of the Union Army and Navy and reported directly to the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. The ram fleet operated in coordination with the Mississippi River Squadron during the Union brown-water navy battle against the Confederate River Defense Fleet for control of the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

Contents

The unit was created and led by Colonel Charles Ellet Jr. until his death due to a wound received during the First Battle of Memphis. Command of the unit went to Charles Ellet Jr.'s brother, Alfred W. Ellet. The unit became part of the Mississippi Marine Brigade led by Alfred W. Ellet and command of the Ram Fleet was given to his nephew Charles Rivers Ellet and then to his nephew John A. Ellet. The unit was subsequently transferred to Army command and disbanded in 1864.

Formation

Charles Ellet Jr. created and led the U.S. Ram Fleet until his death due to a wound received at the First Battle of Memphis Charles Ellet.jpg
Charles Ellet Jr. created and led the U.S. Ram Fleet until his death due to a wound received at the First Battle of Memphis

Charles Ellet Jr. was a well-known civil engineer who was known for building the first ever suspension bridge in the United States across the Schuykill River in Philadelphia and the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world at the time, across the Ohio River at Wheeling, West Virginia. [1]

When the Civil War broke out, Ellet advocated for the development of steam powered naval rams especially in light of the Confederate build up of ram ships. The Confederate forces captured the USS Merrimack at the Norfolk Navy Yard and converted her to a ram ship. Despite being bulky and slow-moving, the Union forces became convinced of the possibility of ram ships when the CSS Virginia sank the USS Cumberland and USS Congress at Hampton Roads. [2]

In March 1862, Secretary of War Edwin M. Stanton appointed Ellet colonel of engineers and authorized him to form the United States Ram Fleet on the Mississippi River. The Union Navy's Mississippi River Squadron and the Confederate River Defense Fleet were battling for control of the Mississippi and Stanton was convinced by Ellet that the Union Navy efforts would benefit from the addition of ram ships. [3] Ellet and the ram fleet were outside of Union Army or Navy command and reported directly to Stanton. [4]

Ellet purchased the nine fastest river steamboats available on the Ohio River and converted them to rams. Their hulls were reinforced, the forward ends filled with hard oak wood, the steam-engines secured and the pilot houses protected by thick wooden planks. [5] Three longitudinal bulkheads were added and supported with iron bars. Central beams were installed from bow to stern and iron peaks were installed on the bows. They were originally not equipped with any guns. [6]

Ellet assigned family members as captains of the other rams, including his brother Alfred W. Ellet, his nephew John A. Ellet, and his son Charles Rivers Ellet. [4]

On May 25, the Queen of the West and the ram fleet joined the Mississippi River Squadron, led by Charles H. Davis, on the Mississippi River north of Fort Pillow. Davis had little faith in the effectiveness of the rams but allowed the fleet to accompany his gunboats down the river to Memphis. [4]

First Battle of Memphis

The ram fleet played a critical role in the Union Navy victory at the First Battle of Memphis Memphis h42367.jpg
The ram fleet played a critical role in the Union Navy victory at the First Battle of Memphis

On June 6, Charles Ellet Jr. led four ram ships in the Battle of Memphis; the USS Queen of the West , the USS Monarch, the USS Switzerland and the USS Lancaster . Ellet had not coordinated a plan of attack with Davis and when the flotilla approached Confederate forces, the Queen of the West and the Monarch steamed ahead of Davis' gunboats. The Queen of the West rammed and sank the Confederate flagship CSS Colonel Lovell. After the collision, the Queen of the West came under attack from the CSS Sumter and the CSS Beauregard. The attack sheared off one of the paddle wheels from the Queen of the West and forced her to ground on the riverbank. The Monarch rammed and sank the Beauregard and drove the CSS Little Rebel aground and captured her. [7] The Confederate forces suffered a severe loss at the Battle of Memphis with heavy casualties and the loss of seven of their eight ships. [4]

Ellet was wounded in the knee by a Confederate sharpshooter during the battle. His wound was the only serious casualty received on the Union side during the battle. Ellet refused to have his leg amputated and died 15 days from a blood infection due to the injury. Ellet's brother, Alfred W. Ellet took command of the ram fleet. [8]

Actions near Vicksburg

Brigadier General Alfred W. Ellet took over command of the United States Ram Fleet after the death of his brother, Charles Ellet Jr. Alfred W Ellet (cropped).jpg
Brigadier General Alfred W. Ellet took over command of the United States Ram Fleet after the death of his brother, Charles Ellet Jr.

The ram fleet was never incorporated in the Union Navy, however, in the summer of 1862, when David Dixon Porter took over command of the Mississippi River Squadron, he demanded and received full authority over the ram fleet. [9]

On June 26, Alfred W. Ellet commanded the Monarch and Charles Rivers Ellet commanded the Lancaster during action on the Yazoo River near Liverpool, Mississippi to capture or destroy three Confederate gunboats. The Confederates burned their ships; the CSS General Van Dorn, CSS General Polk and CSS Livingston, when they saw the Union forces approaching. [10]

On July 15, the Queen of the West, USS Carondelet, and USS Tyler engaged the Confederate ironclad ram CSS Arkansas in the Yazoo River. The Arkansas was heavily damaged but escaped into the Mississippi River and took refuge under the Confederate batteries at Vicksburg, Mississippi. On July 22, Queen of the West and USS Essex attacked Arkansas, despite the batteries at Vicksburg. The Queen of the West rammed the Arkansas but inflicted only minor damage and rejoined the Mississippi River Squadron ships above Vicksburg. [11] The ram fleet ships also conducted activities in the Yazoo River clearing mines and engaging Confederate batteries. [12]

Mississippi Marine Brigade

In November 1862, the Mississippi Marine Brigade, an amphibious raiding unit, was organized by Alfred W. Ellet and the ram fleet was incorporated as a part of the brigade. On November 5, Charles Rivers Ellet was promoted to the rank of colonel [13] and became the third member of the Ellet family to lead the ram fleet. [8] Ellet was only 19 years old which made him one of the youngest colonels in the Union Army. [14] Under the two Ellet's leadership, the rams figured prominently in actions around and below Vicksburg, Mississippi, into 1863. In January 1863, the ram fleet ships participated in the Battle of Arkansas Post.

USS Queen of the West ramming the CSS City of Vicksburg Queen Vicksburg.jpg
USS Queen of the West ramming the CSS City of Vicksburg

In February 1863, the Queen of the West was run past the batteries of Vicksburg to support Admiral David Farragut south of the city. The Queen of the West severely damaged the CSS Vicksburg and captured four transport ships supplying Confederate forces. The Queen of the West also conducted activities on the Atchafalaya River, destroying Confederate supplies and burning three plantations. She was captured by Confederate forces on the Red River near Fort DeRussy and entered into Confederate service as the CSS Queen of the West. [15] The Mississippi Marine Brigade also saw action at the Battle of Richmond, Louisiana and the Battle of Goodrich's Landing. [16]

Due to poor health, Charles Rivers Ellet tendered his resignation on August 14, 1863. [17] and command of the ram fleet went to his cousin John A. Ellet. [8] In August 1863, the Mississippi Marine Brigade was placed under command of General Ulysses Grant. The ram fleet was disestablished in August 1864, and its surviving ships were transferred to other duties. [8]

Ships

Line engraving published in Harper's Weekly, 1862, illustrating members of the fleet. Ships in the foreground are: Monarch (letter "M" between stacks), Queen of the West (with letter "Q") and Lioness (letter "L"). In the left background are: Switzerland (with letter "S" on paddle box), Samson and Lancaster. Ellet rams h59007.jpg
Line engraving published in Harper's Weekly , 1862, illustrating members of the fleet. Ships in the foreground are: Monarch (letter "M" between stacks), Queen of the West (with letter "Q") and Lioness (letter "L"). In the left background are: Switzerland (with letter "S" on paddle box), Samson and Lancaster.

The United States Ram Fleet included the following ships:

See also

Notes

  1. Hearn 2000.
  2. Crandall 1907, p. 9.
  3. Crandall 1907, p. 16.
  4. 1 2 3 4 Fowler 1990.
  5. McPherson, James M. (2012). War on the Waters: The Union and Confederate Navies, 1861-1865. Chapel Hill: University of North Carolina Press. p. 86. ISBN   978-0-8078-3588-3 . Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  6. Joiner 2007, p. 68.
  7. Tomblin 2016, p. 114.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Laidig, Scott. "The Fighting Ellets: Ingenuity, Courage, Nepotism and Corruption?". www.ehistory.osu.edu. Retrieved 16 August 2020.
  9. Calore, Paul (2002). Naval Campaigns of the Civil War. Jefferson, North Carolina: McFarland & Company, Inc. p. 166. ISBN   978-0-7864-1217-4 . Retrieved 18 September 2020.
  10. "IMPORTANT FROM THE MISSISSIPPI.; Destruction of the Last of the Rebel Gunboats. Union of Farragut and Davis above Vicksburgh". The New York Times . 3 July 1862. Retrieved 8 September 2020.
  11. Joiner 2007, p. 85.
  12. "Queen of the West (side-wheel ram) 1862-1863". www.history.navy.mil. Retrieved 27 August 2020.
  13. Abbott 1866, p. 306.
  14. Milligan 1979, p. 187.
  15. Barnhart, Donald Jr. (12 June 2006). "Admiral Porter's Ironclad Hoax During the American Civil War". www.historynet.com. Retrieved 28 August 2020.
  16. Tomblin 2016, pp. 275–276.
  17. Crandall 1907, p. 318.

Related Research Articles

USS <i>Tyler</i> Gunboat of the United States Navy

USS Tyler was originally a merchant ship named A. O. Tyler, a commercial side-wheel steamboat with twin stacks and covered paddles positioned aft. Constructed in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1857, it was acquired by the United States Navy, 5 June 1861 for service in the American Civil War and converted into the gunboat USS Tyler on 5 June 1861. She was commissioned in September 1861. She was protected with thick wooden bulwarks.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">First Battle of Memphis</span> 1862 battle of the American Civil War

The First Battle of Memphis was a naval battle fought on the Mississippi River immediately North of the city of Memphis, Tennessee on June 6, 1862, during the American Civil War. The engagement was witnessed by many of the citizens of Memphis. It resulted in a crushing defeat for the Confederate forces, and marked the virtual eradication of a Confederate naval presence on the river. Despite the lopsided outcome, the Union Army failed to grasp its strategic significance. Its primary historical importance is that it was the last time civilians with no prior military experience were permitted to command ships in combat. As such, it is a milestone in the development of professionalism in the United States Navy.

USS <i>Queen of the West</i> (1854) Sidewheel steamer ram ship

The USS Queen of the West was a sidewheel steamer ram ship and the flagship of the United States Ram Fleet and the Mississippi Marine Brigade. It was built at Cincinnati, Ohio in 1854. It served as a commercial steamer until purchased by Colonel Charles Ellet Jr. in 1862 and converted for use as a ram ship. The ship operated in conjunction with the Mississippi River Squadron during the Union brown-water navy battle against the Confederate River Defense Fleet for control of the Mississippi River and its tributaries during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles R. Ellet</span> American soldier, Union Army colonel (1843–1863)

Charles Rivers Ellet was a colonel in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He served in the United States Ram Fleet under his father Charles Ellet, Jr. and as commanding officer of the ram fleet as part of the Mississippi Marine Brigade under his uncle Alfred W. Ellet. He commanded the ram ships USS Queen of the West, USS Switzerland, USS Lancaster and USS Monarch during the brown-water navy battle for control of the Mississippi River and its tributaries as part of the Vicksburg Campaign from 1862 to 1863.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Alfred W. Ellet</span> American soldier

Alfred Washington Ellet was a brigadier general in the Union Army who commanded the United States Ram Fleet and the Mississippi Marine Brigade during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Charles Ellet Jr.</span> American civil engineer

Charles Ellet Jr. was an American civil engineer from Pennsylvania who designed and constructed major canals, suspension bridges and railroads. He built the Wheeling Suspension Bridge, the longest suspension bridge in the world from 1849 to 1851. He conducted the first Federal survey of the Mississippi and Ohio rivers as part of the U. S. Army Corps of Engineers.

<i>Laurent Millaudon</i> (1856)

Laurent Millaudon was a wooden side-wheel river steamboat launched at Cincinnati, Ohio, in 1856 operating in the New Orleans, Louisiana, area, and captained by W. S. Whann. At the beginning of the American Civil War she was taken into service by the Confederate Navy as CSS General Sterling Price. On 6 June 1862, she was sunk at the Battle of Memphis. She was raised and repaired by the Union army, and on 16 June 1862 was moved into Union service as USS General Price and served until the end of the war.

<i>Switzerland</i> (steam ram) US Army Civil War steam ship

US Ram Switzerland was a paddle steamer ram operated by the US Army during the American Civil War as part of the U.S. Ram Fleet and the Mississippi Marine Brigade.

USS <i>Lancaster</i> (1855)

USS Lancaster was a sidewheel civilian steamer tow boat built in 1855 at Cincinnati. It was originally named Lancaster Number 3 then Kosciusko. In March through May 1862, she was purchased and converted to a ram by Colonel Charles Ellet Jr. to serve during the American Civil War as part of the United States Ram Fleet and the Mississippi Marine Brigade.

USS <i>Monarch</i> (1862)

USS Monarch was a United States Army sidewheel ram that saw service in the American Civil War as part of the United States Ram Fleet and the Mississippi Marine Brigade. She operated on the Mississippi River and Yazoo River during 1862 and 1863.

CSS <i>Colonel Lovell</i> Ram used by the Confederate Navy during the American Civil War

CSS Colonel Lovell was a cotton-clad ram ship of the Confederate States Navy during the American Civil War

USS <i>Indianola</i> American casemate ironclad

USS Indianola was a casemate ironclad that served as a river gunboat for the Union Navy during the American Civil War. A side-wheel steamer also equipped with two screw propellers, Indianola was built in Cincinnati, Ohio in 1862 by Joseph Brown before being taken by Union authorities while still incomplete, in response to a perceived Confederate threat to Cincinnati. After completion, the vessel briefly served on the Mississippi River and the Yazoo River before being sent downstream of Vicksburg, Mississippi in February 1863, to support the naval ram USS Queen of the West, which was operating against Confederate shipping.

USS <i>Lioness</i> (1857)

Built in Brownsville, Pennsylvania, in 1857, the steam ship Lioness was purchased by the War Department and converted to a ram ship for Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr.'s United States Ram Fleet. Commissioned in 1862, Lieutenant Warren D. Crandall in command, she joined the Union Mississippi River Squadron on the western rivers.

USS <i>Mingo</i> (1862)

The first USS Mingo, a stern-wheel steamer built at California, Pennsylvania, in 1859 and used to tow coal barges, was purchased at Pittsburgh by Colonel Charles Ellet Jr. in April 1862 for usage in the U.S. Ram Fleet during the American Civil War.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Seth Ledyard Phelps</span> American politician

Seth Ledyard Phelps was an American naval officer, and in later life, a politician and diplomat. Phelps received his first commission in United States Navy as a midshipman aboard the famous USS Independence. He served patrolling the coast of West Africa guarding against slavers. During the Mexican–American War he served on gunboats, giving support to Winfield Scott's army, and later served in the Mediterranean and Caribbean squadrons.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mississippi Marine Brigade</span> Union Army amphibious unit

The Mississippi Marine Brigade was a Union Army amphibious unit which included the United States Ram Fleet and operated from November 1862 to August 1864 during the American Civil War. The brigade was established to act swiftly against Confederate forces operating near the Mississippi River and its tributaries. The brigade was commanded by Brigadier General Alfred W. Ellet and operated in coordination with the Mississippi River Squadron during the Union brown-water navy battle against the Confederate River Defense Fleet and land based forces. The brigade was independent of the Union Army and Navy and reported directly to the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton. Despite the name, it was never part of the United States Marine Corps.

USS <i>Dick Fulton</i> (1862)

USS Dick Fulton was a 123-ton stern-wheel steamer used as an auxiliary vessel in the United States Ram Fleet during the American Civil War.

USS <i>Little Rebel</i> (1859) Gunboat of the United States Navy

Little Rebel was a cotton-clad ram that had been converted from a Mississippi River steamer to serve as the flagship of the Confederate River Defense Fleet in the American Civil War. Sent from New Orleans to defend against the Federal descent of the Mississippi, she was among the force that engaged vessels of the Union Army's Western Gunboat Flotilla at the Battle of Plum Point Bend on May 10, 1862. On June 6, she again was involved in an action with the Federal gunboats, this time at the Battle of Memphis. In the battle, a shot from a Federal gun pierced her boiler, disabling her, and she was then pushed aground by the Federal ram USS Monarch and captured.

USS <i>Sumter</i> (1862) 525-ton sidewheel paddle streamer

USS Sumter was a 525-ton sidewheel paddle steamer captured by the Union Navy during the Union blockade of the American Civil War.

<i>Black Terror</i> (ship) Fake warship used in American Civil War

Black Terror was a fake warship used in the American Civil War to bluff Confederate forces into destroying the partially-salvaged remains of the ironclad USS Indianola. Union forces were advancing to control the Mississippi River and had made two attempts to capture Vicksburg, Mississippi, in 1862. Early the next year, the ram USS Queen of the West moved downriver to interfere with Confederate shipping on the Red River; Indianola was sent down a few days later. However, Queen of the West was disabled and captured after an encounter with Confederate field fortifications, and Indianola was severely damaged on February 24 after an attack by the repaired Queen of the West and CSS William H. Webb.

References