The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1901-02-11
Cen. RAMSAY
DEAD.
Distinguished Veteran OF
Civ | War Succumbs To-
day to Diabetes.
HIS STIRRING CAREER
Rose From the Ranks to
Major General His Pro-
motion Being Purely
for Merit.
HIS STIRRING CAREER

General John Ramsay. well known
Republican politician and a cigar dealer
on Exchange place, died at half past ten
O'Clock this morning, at his home, No l4b
Bay View avenue, from diabetes ON
Wednesday evening, shortly after dinner,
he was taken sick, and Drs. West and
! Chard were called in. They found his
condition serious, and from that time he
was attended constantly by the physi-
clans. He knew he was dying and short
Iy<before the Inconsistencies seized him,
which ended in death, he requested that
his body should rest in the Arlington
Cemetery, Washington, where many OF
his comrades in battle are sleeping their
last sleep.
There were few more interesting or pic
tilresque figures in the county than
''A4eke" Ramsay, as he was familiarly
called. He had a brilliant army record,
rising from the ranks to brevet Major
General, always an active politician, and
at one time held considerable power in
the county. He was energetic and con-
tinually at variance with the party lead
ers that be. Up to the time of his death
he was engaged in writing a history of
the Rebellion, and only last week he ar
raigned the financial management of the
Hudson County Republican Committee,
whom he proposed to pillory for its al
legged misdeeds.
He was born in New York October Z,
1885, and his parents removed to Jersey
City when he was only six months old
When the war broke out he enlisted in
the Second New Jersey Regiment, MAX
ing his way until in July, 1861, he was
commissioned Captain of Co. G.. Later,
transferring to the Fifth N. j., he was
made Major May Z, 1862; Lieutenant Colo
mel, vice Colonel W. ]. Sewell, promoted,
and ultimately in April, 1868, he was ap-
pointed Colonel of the regiment. For dis
t.nguished service in the field he was
brevetted Brigadier General in December,
1854, and when the regiment was mustered
out, March 49, 1866, he was brevetted Ma
jor General. His record shows that ne
was present at great number OF bat
ties, chief among which were yorktown,
Kun, Chantilly, Wilderness, Spottsylvania,
Cod Harbor. Gettysburg, petersburg ana
Appommatox.
i was during the siege of Fredericks-
tfirg that he attracted the attention of
General Nelson A. Miles, then leading a
division. General Ramsay's brilliant
caarge through the Confederate lines on
tnat occasion evoked high praise. in the
dispatches. His enemies, and he had
plenty of them, all gave tribute to the
Generals fearlessness and one of them
only recently told a story about him in
these Words
There was once a man here in Jersey
City who swore that he would shoot the
General on sight. Ramsay heard of this.
anu putting a revolver in his pocket,
started out to look for him.. Hearing that
the man was then in a saloon on Ex-
change place, Ramsay walked in and
ciapping a pistol to the other fellows
lead, told him that if he didn't apologize
ne would blow his brains out. Knowing
that the general was in the habit OF
keeping his word the apology was trem-
blingly uttered.
At the outbreak of the Spanish War the
General offered his sword and General
Miles warmly endorsed his application to
the Honorable Secretary of War, General
Alger, saying that he, General Ramsay,
was brave and competent officer who
had once gotten him, General Miles. out
of a tight place. Secretary Alger paid no
attention to the letters and for this rea-
son, which the General afterwards gave
to News representatives.
After all I can't blame him. (Meaning
Alger.) l. during the war, when he was
court martialled for coWardice or some
thing else l don't remember which, voted
that he should be shot. He hasn't forgot
ten what said about him..
General Ramsay was married twice. His
widow but no children survive him. On
Wednesday afternoon, in the rooms on
Belmont avenue of Van Houten Post, SER
vices will be held over the body. After
wards it will be sent to Washington.