RANSOM, ROBERT (1828-93). An American soldier, born in Warren County, N. C. He gradu ated at West Point in 1850. In 1850-51 he was at the Carlisle Cavalry School, and from 1851 to 1854 served in New Mexico. He was assistant instructor in cavalry tactics at West Point in 1854-55, and became first lieutenant First Cav alry, March 3, 1855. From 1855 to 1857 be was in lianas and then was on recruiting service or frontier duty until 1861. He was made captain First Cavalry, January 31, 1861, but resigned his commission on May 24th. He was commis sioned captain of cavalry in the Confederate Army, organized the First North Carolina Cav alry, and was chosen colonel. In November he commanded at Vienna• Va., in the first cavalry encounter of the war. On March 6, 1862, he was made brigadier-general to reorganize the cavalry in the West and Southwest, but after the fall of Newbern was sent to oppose the Federal forces in eastern North Carolina. During the Seven Days' battles in June-July. 1862. he attached to Huger's division. In the Maryland campaign, in Walker's division. Longstreet's corps. he took part in the reduction of Harper'-. Ferry. and was especially commended for judg ment and skill at Antietam. At Fredericksburg
lie commanded the division and had immediate 'charge of the defense of Marye's Heights. Until May, 1863, he was in charge of the defense of the Weldon railroad, but on his promotion to be ma jor-general was assigned to the district including Appomattox and Blackwater. In October, 1863, he was in command in East Tennessee and South west Virginia, and remained until April, 1864, when he was recalled for the defense of Rich mond. lie opposed Butler at Bermuda Hundred and commanded Beauregard's left at Drewry's Bluff. May 16. In .lime he commanded Early's cavalry against General Hunter, and in the expe dition into Maryland. In September he served as president of the court of inquiry concerning Morgan's operations in Kentucky and in Novem ber was assigned to Charleston. Illness com pelled him to resign this position, and he sur rendered to General Howard at Warrenton, May 2, 1865. For a time he served as express agent and city marshal at Wilmington, N. C., and then engaged in farming until 1878. In that year he was appointed superintendent of the United States harbor and river improvements about Newbern.