Stephen Dodson Ramseur
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1837-1864
Stephen D. Ramseur from Lincolnton, N.C., had graduated from West
Point and served in the U.S. Army for less than a year when he
resigned his commission just weeks before North Carolina seceded from
the Union. He began his meteoric rise through the Confederate ranks
as a first lieutenant in the artillery. As a colonel in April 1862,
he led the 49th N.C. Infantry. Ramseur fell badly wounded while
leading his men at Malvern Hill, Va., on July 1, 1862. He was
promoted in brigadier general in November and assigned a brigade. On
May 3, 1863, Ramseur was wounded again when he gallantly led his
North Carolinians on an impressive charge that broke the Union lines
during the Battle of Chancellorsville. Two months later he led two
brigades at Gettysburg.
The stellar warrior took leave in October 1863 to marry. Though
Ramseur firmly believed in his mission for the South and seemed to be
born to lead men in battle, he longed for peace and life with his
bride. Ramseur returned in time to do battle on May 12, 1864, at
Spotsylvania Court House, where he was so meritorious that Gen.
Robert E. Lee personally thanked him. He was promoted to major
general and assigned a division.
Ramseur then joined Gen. Jubal A. Early in the Shenandoah Valley
campaign. Early wrote later: "He was a most gallant and energetic
office whom no disaster appaled, but his courage and energy seemed to
gain new strength in the midst of confusion and disorder." Ramseur
went on to fight at 3d Winchester and Fisher's Hill. On October 16,
1864, Ramseur received word he was a father, but was not told the sex
of the child or the health of mother and baby. On the 19th he went
into battle at Ceder Creek. While rallying his men after receiving
one wound and have two horses shot from under him, he was shot
through both lungs.
He was carried to the rear and with retreat necessary, Ramseur was
left in Northern hands. Union doctors and a Confederate surgeon
attended to Ramseur but could not save him. He was surrounded by
classmates from West Point when he died the next day before ever
seeing his daughter.
Fascinating Fact: At age 27 Ramseur was the youngest West Pointer in
the Confederacy to achieve the rank of major general.
