The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-02-12
GEN. RAMSAY'S BRAVERY
Interesting Anecdotes Of
the Distinguished Fighter
Just Dead.

Since the death of General John RAM
say a great many anecdotes are told
about his brilliant record as soldier.
One of these is told by Colonel John j.
Toffey, who himself wears the v. c. of
the United States for bravery on the field
of battle.
The Colonel with the General attended
a reception at Buffalo. General Nelson
Miles was there with his wife. When
the commander of the armies of this
country espied General Ramsay he seized
his hand and led him up to Mrs Miles,
saying:-
MARY 1 want to present to you General
Ramsay, who once got me out of tight
place. He saved my corps at Petersburg.
wanted some one to cut through the
rebel lines and he cut his way through.
He is brave and fearless officer whom
wish you TO know.
1t was characteristic of the little gen
eral that he would rarely talk of his mill
tary experiences, and it was often anus
ing to listen to few men in the
Union League Club Dragging about their
deeds during the war. When General
Ramsay entered the room the CONVERSE
ton was instantly changed
A reference in last nights News" to
local incident in the generals history
brought forth this letter received this
ITO the Editor of 1.-THE Jersey City
News',:-
Sir-I read in tonight's edition of your
paper, concerning a story of General
Ramsay's quiet way of dealing with one
who threatened to shoot him on sight
Since there are several hundred old SOL
diers in the State, county and city who
knew him well, it may be interesting to
those to learn more details of that Incl
dent. l know whereof / speak in this
matter because l was standing with Noah
Taylor on the steps of Taylors Hotel
when it took place. While acting major
he was wounded in the shoulder and re-
ceived fortnight's furlough. Before that
time, however, he had been obliged to
punish men under his command for
breaches of discipline with the punish
ment of carrying logs. Some of those 50
punished had friend in Jersey City
whose name won't mention. He is dead
but his family live here in Jersey City
yet. He had place of business on Bay
street and Newark avenue. This man
had an unenviable reputation as bar
room bully with a marked propensity for
chewing off offending peoples eyes and
fingers. He it was who swore he would
shoot the general. Ramsay came home
with his arm in a sling, and hearing
about this put a revolver in his pocket
and came to Taylor's Hotel where he
learned the gang was I'll not forget
Ramsay's demeanor when he made that
crowd weaken. He certainly was chock
full of grit.
Yours truly,
q A VETERAN OF THE FIFTH N J.'s
Another veteran speaking of Ramsay )
career during the war to News repre-
sentative today told this story There
was once an officer of the commissariat
department when Ramsay had a COM
mand under General Hooker, and many
complaints came to Ramsay about care
lessness and neglect in sending supplies
to the men. Ramsay tackled the officer
and gave him few hours to have the
supplies with his men or he would hang
him to the nearest tree. The frightened
officer rushed to Hooker and told him
what Ramsay had said. After listening
gravely to the woeful tale General Hook
er replied
Il advise you to do what Ramsay bids
because he is never known to go back on
his word
The supplies were there to the hour.