Mississippi Marine Brigade

Mississippi Marine Brigade
The ram ships USS Monarch, USS Queen of the West, USS Lioness and USS Switzerland
Active	1862-1865
Country	United States
Branch	Army
Role	Amphibious warfare unit
Nickname(s)	Ellet Ram Fleet
Equipment	Steam powered naval rams
Engagements	American Civil War Vicksburg Campaign Sinking of the USS Cairo Battle of Arkansas Post Yazoo Pass Expedition Battle of Richmond, Louisiana Battle of Goodrich's Landing
Commanders
Notable commanders	Alfred W. Ellet

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.^[1] 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.