RANSOM, MATTHEW WHITAKER (1826-). An American soldier and statesman, born in War ren County, N. C'. He graduated at the Univer sity of North Carolina in 1847, and was admit ted to the bar in the same year. In 1852 he was Presidential elector on the Whig ticket, and from 1852 to 1855 was Attorney-General of the State. He was a member of the Legislature in 1858-60, and in 1S61 was one of the three peace commis sioners sent to the Congress of the Southern States at Montgomery, Ala. When his State se ceded, he was elected lieutenant-colonel of the First Infantry. June 3d, but was soon made colonel of the Thirty-fifth Regiment. With this he was in the Seven Days' battles, and twice wounded at Malvern Hill. At Antietam he was in command of the brigade during part of the engagement. After Fredericksburg he served in North Carolina, and when promoted brigadier general was assigned to the brigade formerly commanded by his brother, Robert. During the
Gettysburg campaign be was in command of the Suffolk line, and checked the advance toward Weldon in July. Hi, brigade suffered heavily in the recapture of Plymouth. N. C'., in April, 1864. Afterwards he was transferred to Virginia, and served before Petersburg, and on the Crater line. During the latter part of 1864 he commanded a division, though his appointment as Major-general was not confirmed. He was particularly compli mented by General Lee for the assault on Hare's Hill, March 25, 1865, and was engaged at Five Forks. At the close of the war he engaged in farming until elected to the United States Senate in 1872. He served continuously until 1895. and gained great influence in the Democratic ranks.