Not Afraid to Die: USA Maj. Gen. Thomas E.G. Ransom

[Battleline]

Maj. Gen. Thomas E.G. Ransom (b. 1834, d. 1864) Thomas Edward Greenfield Ransom was born for a military career. And in following in family footsteps, that career led to his death. Ransom was born Nov. 29, 1834, in Norwich, Vermont. His father, Truman B. Ransom, was president of Norwich University, a military school founded in 1819 (and the birthplace of the Reserve Officer Training Corps). The elder Ransom was colonel of the 9th Infantry when he was killed during the storming of Chapultepec during the Mexican War in 1847, The younger Ransom received an education at Norwich, graduating with a civil engineering degree in 1851. Living in Vandalia, Illinois, and working for the Illinois Central Railroad, he recruited a militia company which became incorporated into the 11th Illinois at the start of the Civil War. Ransom started the war as captain of Co. E, 11th Illinois. Early in June, he was elected major of the regiment and then advanced to lieutenant colonel July 30. Isolated in single combat with a Confederate officer, Ransom killed the man who wounded him in action near Charleston, Missouri, Aug. 19, 1861. His regimental commander, Col. W.H.L. Wallace, called Ransom “a rash, brave fellow.” He had little recovery time, staying at the head of his men. The 11th Illinois was off on the campaign to take forts in northern Tennessee in February of 1862. At Fort Donelson, Ransom was severely wounded during the Confederate breakout attempt Feb. 15, 1862. He still refused to leave his men. This earned him a promotion to colonel to date from that battle. At the Battle of Shiloh, April 6, 1862, Ransom was severely wounded again. Despite his head wound, he would not leave his command. He protested when his men evacuated him to a safer position behind the lines. “Although reeling in the saddle, and streaming with blood from a previous wound, (Ransom) performed prodigies of valor,” reported Maj. Gen. John McClernard in his report. He was cited for gallant conduct after being wounded all three times. After serving as chief of staff for Maj. Gen. John McClernard, Ransom was promoted to brigadier general of volunteers April 15, 1863 (to rank from Nov. 29, 1862). He was given command of a brigade in McArthur’s sixth division of Maj. Gen James McPherson’s XVII Corps. After being sent out to forage, Ransom’s command captured 5,000 head of cattle, a large number of teams and ordnance equipment near Natchez. “(He is) the best man I have ever had to send on expeditions. He is a live man and of good judgment,” wrote Maj. Gen. U.S. Grant for the Official Records. He campaigned along the gulf coast. In January of 1864, Grant asked that Ransom be placed in command of cavalry following Brig. Gen. James Wilson’s elevation to the Cavalry Bureau. However, Wilson was out with Maj. Gen. Nathaniel Banks’ Red River expedition as commander of the XIII Corps. At the Battle of Mansfield, April 8, 1864, Ransom’s corps absorbed most of the Confederate onslaught. In the defeat, Ransom again was severely wounded. This time, he was sent back to Chicago to recover. He returned to duty in Georgia Aug. 2, taking the fourth division in the XVI Corps of longtime friend Maj. Gen. Grenville Dodge. When Dodge was wounded Aug. 19, 1864, Ransom took over the corps at the Battle of Jonesboro (Aug. 31-Sept. 1, 1864), which forced Confederate Gen. John Hood to evacuate Atlanta. In charge of the XVII Corps, Ransom pursued Hood’s Army of Tennessee through Alabama and back into north Georgia. Still suffering from his wounds and ill from typhoid, Ransom’s condition became terminal. “I am not afraid to die, I have met death too often to be afraid of it now,” Ransom remarked. He died near Rome, Georgia, Oct. 29, 1864. He received a posthumous brevet to major general to rank from Sept. 1, 1864. He was buried in Rosehill Cemetery in Chicago.

[Gil R.]

Copied, thanks.