NOVEMBER 1, 1865: James Brooks, formerly of the U.S. Ram Fleet and Mississippi Marine Brigade, wrote a brief sketch of the ram fleet history to Brigadier general L.B. Parsons, Chief of Transportation Department in St. Louis: "The idea...of destroying the enemy's fleet by the use of rams originated with Colonel Charles Ellet, Jr. ...About the last of March, 1862, the Secretary of War invited him to his office to consult on the subject, and ordered him...to procure the boats and make the necessary alterations...
"It (the ram fleet)...was at Memphis on the morning of 6th June (1862) and participated in the battle.... The result was a great triumph for the rams, and fully came up to the expectations of Colonel Ellet and the Government...."
--Old B-Runner
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