The unit was independent of the Union Army and Navy and reported directly to the Secretary of War, Edwin M. Stanton.

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.

The Confederate forces captured the USS Merrimack at the Norfolk Navy Yard and converted her to a ram ship.

[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.

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.

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.

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.

[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.