United States Ram Fleet

United States Ram Fleet
United States Ram Fleet Approaching the City of Memphis, Tennessee to Demand Its Surrender
Active	1862 - 1864
Country	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.

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.