The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1898-05-24
LOOKS LIKE RAMSAY
Recommended by Gen. Mel
son A. Miles for APP
pointment as Brig.
General.
HOW THE FRIENDSHIP BEGAN
Gen. Sewell Endorses Ramsay
and Plume and Says That
Both Are Needed.

uullltdIS IlEA 1 uCAAhS u -
much Interest to an expected appointment
of a New Jerseyman as Brfsadier Cen
eral of the volunteer forces mustered into
the service of the United States. Several
names have been mentioned for the posi-
tion, but it is understood that the honor
Will fall to either General John w. Ram
say of jersey City or Major General DO
seph w. Plume of the National Guard of
the State and a resident of Newark with
Ramsay as the favorite.
Plume has been recommended by Serla-
tor Sewell to President Mckinley, and for
the matter of that the Camden leader has
recommended General Ramsay, also, be-
iieving that there will be room for both
men in the army. But General Ramsay
has been specially recommended by Cen
eral Nelson A. Miles, Commander in Chief,
who fought through the civil wal with
Ramsay, and who has had opportunities
of observing the ability of the dapper
gentleman who sells cigars on Exchange
place. Few men came out of the "recent
u-npleasantness" with a more enviable
record than John Ramsay. and it was the
following act which first made General
Miles a long friend of hiss
AT the siege of Petersburg Miles conn
anded the First Division of the Second
Army Corps. while Ramsay was the COM
mander of the Fourth Brigade of that
division Miles division had been sent to
destroy the Weldon Railroad, communf-
eating with the besieged city, and Briga-
der General Ramsay was on the left of
the division. The First Brigade went first
into the fight to drive the enemy from
their position. but were repulsed with a
heavy loss. The Second Brigade were or
dered to the 'front.', and they retired after
a sharp fight, beaten. So it was with the
Third Brigade. the Confederates sent them
back defeated. Then Gen. Miles ordered the
beaten brigades to the attack, and for the
fourth time> the Federal troops We're
driven back whipped.
Order up Ramsay's command, and tell
him to put them into action where the
others WERE said General Miles to a staff
officer, who gallcped off to where the
Fourth Brigade were stationed. When
the order was received General Ramsay
sent pack word that he objected to order
ing his men to move where the others
were because he didn't want to come in
contact with beaten men Accompanied
by a staff officer, Ramsay moved his brs-
gade through a belt of woods and found
rolling ground, from which point he made
a vigorous assault on the eneny's posi-
ton. capturing the battalons and a large
number of prisoners. 1t was a complete
victory.
General Miles came up after the fight
and warmly cognplimented General RAM
say for his judgment and the success of
his plans. In his report to the Secretary
of War, General Miles fully set forth the
victorious action. From that time on to
the present day the Commander in Chief
of the United States Army has held Gem
eral Ramsay III high esteem. and a few
lays ago he recommended General Ram
says appointment TO the Var Depart
ment, and Ramsay at The same time wrote
rendering his services to the Government.
In the meantime Joseph w. Plume
doomed up as a candidate for a brigade
command, and he had a host of politi-
clans with him, including Governor Voor-
bees and Senator Sewell, but When the
latter heard that General Ramsay was in
the race he wrote to the General to this
effect
II didn't know that you had sent in ar
| application when / endorsed that of Gem
eral Plume, nave howeye Use sent tn q let Ct
ter e0QUTSilDS you, UcCdtSC 4 lidifh tiid We
| have need Of your services"
Major General Miles letter and endorse
mespt is considered by military men to
mean the appointment Of Ramsay, and
| some of them were sure that Plume would
| withdraw from the race. 1t was even ru-
mored that Governor Voorhees, had tele-
| graphed to Washington announcing the
| fact of General Plunne's withdrawal, but
on Investigation the runaOr was found TO
be without foundation. In the event of
Genera Ramsay being selected he will at
once .eport to General Miles, who will
detail him to some position.