Evening star., 1897-03-31

Brazil squadron, Tor & snort time, anu
then was ordered to the steam frigate
Merrimac as acting master. The Merrimac
was attached to the Pacific squadron. Dur
inS this cruise he was promoted to mas
ter and to lieutenant n 1858. He was de-
tached from the Merrimac in 1860. and
ton. Joined the Saratoga, African squad
ron, and was detached from her in jan
uary. 1863. having been promoted to lieu
tenant commander in 1862
During the War of the Rebellion.
On March 10. 1863, Lieut.. Commander
Ramsay was ordered to the Mississippi
squadron and assumed command of the
Choctaw on the 22d. In the following
month he took part in the engagements at
Haines Bluff. when the Choctaw was
struck over fifty times. In May he was
with the expedition up the Yazoo river
and in the engagement at Liverpool Land
ing. In June he wGs in the engagement at
Millikens Bend. Here the Choctaw's
presence prevented a disaster that might
have been far reaching for the Union
troops We're driven back and in full re-
treat until the guns of the Choctaw were
brought to bear, and the rebels. unable to
stand their fire, We're forced to retreat. In
May, June and July he took part i'll the
operations connected with the siege of
Ficksburg, and in June commanded a force
with three heavy guns placed in scows at
rcint opposite the town.
In August. 1863. Lieutenant Commander
Rsmsay was ordered to command the third
division of the Mississippi squadron. Thus
at the early age of twenty-eight he flew
his flag and exercised all the preroga-
tives of flag officer with the attendant
responsibilities in time of war. From
this time until October, 1864, he was ac-
lively employed against the enemy. COM
IT anding the expedition up the Black and
Ouachita rivers in March, 1861. and into
in nd he.
took part in the Red river expedition in
March, April and May, 1864.
After assuming command of the Unadila
in October Lieutenant Commander Ram
say took part in the attacks on Fort
Fisher. was in the engagements with Fort
Anderson and other forts on the Cape
Fear river, and was present at the capture
of Richmond. In 1865 he was detached and
ordered to the Naval Academy after an
ardCous and important war service, having
been for over two years nearly constantly
in the presence Of the enemy. Shortly
after reporting at the Naval Academy he
was promoted to the grade of commander.
Subsequent Services.
Commander Ramsay was fleet captain
and chief of staff of the South Atlantic
squadron in 1867 and 1868. In 1869 he as
sumed command of the Guerriere, the flag
ship of that squadron, and was shortly
afterward detached and ordered to the
ordnance In 1872 and 1873 he was naval
attache to the legations in Europe, and
then returned to duty in the bureau of
ordnance. In 1874 he commanded the Os-
sipee. In 1875 he was at the Naval Asy-
lum, Philadelphia. and while there devoted
much time and care to increasing the COM
forts OF the old veterans. In 1876 1877 and
1878 he was inspector of ordnance at the
navy yard. New York. having been pro-
NOTED to captain in 1877.
Capt Ramsay had charge of the torpedo
station in 1878. 1879 and 1880. This station
has been an important factor in the ad
vance of naval knowledge during the crea-
ton of our new navy.
During 1881 Captain Ramsay commanded
the Trenton, the flagship Of the Euro
pean station. He was detached in the lat
ter part of this year and ordered
perintendent of the Naval Academy.
where he remained for five years. While
Captain Ramsay was at the Naval Acad-
erny great advances were being made
In laval affairs, new ships were be-
ing built and the various types were
rapidly changing: the requirements for a
modern naval officer were greatly in
creased and more scientific education be-
came a necessity. AS head of the aca-
dernic board he devoted himself to a rear
rangement of the studies of the midship-
men TO meet these requirements, and as
superintendent he systematized the drills
and saw that they were up to date.
Captain Ramsay was duty as a MEM
Der of the naval examining board in 1856
and commanded the Boston in 1887 and
lses- In February. 1889. he was detached
from the command of the Boston and as
sumed command of the navy yard. New
York. the most important shore command
In the ravy. In March, 1885, he was pro-
NOTED to commodore and in October of
the same year he was detached and an
pointed chief of the bureau of naviga ton.
In 1853 he was reappointed chief of bureau
and was promoted to rear admiral in April.
1894.
The duties of the chief Of bureau of nav
gaticn are the most arduous as well as the
most important that fall to the lot OF a
naval officer in time of peace. During Ad-
miral Ramsays term of service in this
bureau the duties of the chief have been
greatly increased until he now has charge