Dunbar Richard Ransom

He was a Cadet at the USMA (West Point) from 1 July 1847 to 30 September 1850, then attended Norwich University, graduating in 1851. He was appointed 2nd Lieutenant, 3rd US Artillery on 7 June 1855. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on 31 December 1856, and Captain 1 November 1861. He initially commanded Battery L of the 3rd Artillery, but transferred to C of the 5th.

Of his actions on 17 September, General Meade wrote in his after action report:

"I cannot close this report without calling your attention to the skill and good judgment, combined with coolness, with which Captain Ransom, his officers (Lieutenants Weir and Gansevoort) and men, served his battery. In a previous part of this report I have described the advance of the enemy through the corn-field, and the check the column received from Captain Ransom's fire. I consider this one of the most critical periods of the morning, and that to Captain Ransom's battery is due the credit of repulsing the enemy."

He remained with his battery, then commanded the Regular Brigade to which it was assigned after Chancellorsville. He was wounded in action at Gettysburg.

He was cited by brevet for gallantry at Fredericksburg, VA (Major), Gettysburg, PA (Lt. Colonel), and Kearneysville, Va (Colonel). He remained in the Regular Army after the War. He was dismissed from the Service on 20 October 1872 on a charge of conduct unbecoming an officer. He then worked on the Fort Worth and Denver Railway in Texas. He was exonerated and reinstated as Captain, U S Army on 3 Jan 1895 (to date from 1 Aug 1884). He retired 14 January 1895.

Service dates from Heitman1, with further details from Ellis2. Life dates from his gravesite on Findagrave. His photograph from one of unknown provenance posted online by the Reserve Artillery Organization.

01/10/1831; Fayetteville, NC

4/11/1897; Fort Worth, TX; burial in Oakwood Cemetery, Fort Worth, TX