Ellet's Brigade: The Strangest Outfit of All

by Chester G. Hearn

Soon after the start of the Civil War, during the naval buildup on the central Mississippi River, celebrated civil engineer Charles Ellet, Jr., formed the Ram Fleet under U.S. secretary of war Edwin M. Stanton. Perhaps the most bizarre unit organized by the Union, the rams were shunned by both the army and navy as superfluous instruments of war. However, on June 6, 1862, they proved their worth by defeating the Confederate River Defense Fleet ironclads at Memphis while the U.S. Navy simply watched. In this lively study, Chester G. Hearn details the formation and wartime exploits of Ellet's fleet, reviving the history of this fascinating but forgotten brigade.

Genres: History

289 pages, Hardcover

First published May 1, 2000

About the author

A 1954 graduate of Allegheny College, Chester Hearn served in the U.S. Army and worked in industrial management before becoming an author of books on the American Civil War in his retirement.

Reviews

[Brian · Rating 4 out of 5]

I appreciated Hearn's clear eyed approach to a history of Ellet's Brigade. The subtitle is very apt - Ellet's Brigade was a strange outfit - a unit built around an inventor's concept of naval rams that served in the Mississippi region and reported directly to Secretary of War Stanton which later added a mobile combined arms force of infantry, cavalry, and artillery. Ellet does a nice job explaining the origins of the concept and how Charles Ellet's vision came to fruition. Hearn offers an even handed view of the various Ellets who played a role with the brigade - the innovative Charles; the courageous but careless 19 year old Colonel Charles (nephew to the unit's creator); and the lackluster and questionable leader Alfred.
Hearn discusses the Brigade's successes, such as at the Battle of Memphis and the casemate in the Vicksburg siege, but is also clear eyed about the mixed record of young Charles Ellet (courageous but careless) and the often frustrating leadership of Alfred.
Hearn guides the reader through the evolution of Ellet's Brigade as its role and approach adjusted based on the changing strategic situation. Hearn also explores the range of characters such as Charles Davis, David Farragut, and David Dixon Porter that the Ellets worked with - sometimes in concert, sometimes at cross purposes, and sometimes in deliberate avoidance.
Hearn also looks at the military value and outcomes of the brigade as well as its more questionable dealings in the confiscation of cotton and confederate currency.
A clear eyed view of a unique Civil War unit that offers perspective on the campaigns on the Mississippi River.

[Mike Dial · Rating 4 out of 5]

My great-great-grandfather Richard Dial was one of the Army infantrymen who were persuaded to join the marines in this unit by their recruitment offers of better food, less marching, and no sleeping outside. I'm sure Richard was a good marine, but it was amusing to learn that, while the Mississippi Marine Brigade did some things that furthered the Union war effort, they also did many things that hindered the war effort. At least Richard was not killed at Kennesaw Mountain with the 86th Illinois, as his brother was, and thus made it possible for me to be born.

[B · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read!!

Excellent read describing an obscure facet of the civil war and the irregular warfare campaign wages by both sides along the Mississippi River. I'd recommend reading with a map close by because several locations and rivers are named where several events take place.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting study about an independent military Unit (Ellet's ram fleet and later marine brigade) which fought on the Mississippi during the Civil War. Lots of info which I have never read anywhere else. Interesting read about a man who had a different idea about the way naval engagements should be fought, sold the idea to agencies outside the navy, was funded to build a fleet, and was ultimately vindicated in his theories.

[Ben Vogel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I took my time on this book. A coworker lent it to me, and I read bits of it during lunch now and then. A fascinating story about a forgotten piece of history.