Goldsboro weekly argus., 1908-10-22
eoLDsBoRo, n c. THURSDAY. OCTOBER 2s 1905

which she has reared this magnificent
superstructure of peace and prosperity
which is our rich heritage to-day
And now with her face to the morning
with her heart attuned TO the music
OF the spheres, with head erect and
stately step, she is pressing forward
abreast of her sisters to the consumma-
ton of greater and grander destiny
With barred head I now recall the
name of Ransom, q name loved and
honored in North Carolina, and one
whose deeds are written in the hearts
of his countrymen.
Robert Ransom was the second son
Of Robert Ransom, Sr., and wife Pris-
ella Whitaker Ransom, and was born
i'm Warren county February 18th,
1929. In his Gboyhood he attended an
old field school in his native county
presided over by William Eaton. In
1916, at seventeen years of age he
received an appointment to a cadet
ship in the United States Military
Academy at West Point, remaining
there four years, and graduating in
1850. After his graduation he was
commissioned second lieutenant
and assigned to the cavalry branch
of the service, and served for ten
years en- our Western frontier on the
plains of New Mexico, Indian Terri
tory and Kansas, attaining the rank
of Captain. At one time he was Ad-
jutant of the 1st United States Caval-
ry, commanded by Colonel Edwin v.
Sumner, afterwards a MajorGeneral
in the United States Army. General
Ransom was twice married, his first
wife was Miss Minnie Hunt of Wash
married Mrs. Kate Lumpkin of Geor-
gia.
When he saw that war between the
North and South was inevitable, he
resigned his commission in the United
States Army, and with his wife and
little children left Fort Wise, Indian
Territory, for North Carolina, five
hundred miles aross the plains infest-
ed with hostile Indians Arriving in
his native State, he repaired at once
to Raleigh, and offered his services to
the State of his birth. Governor Ellis
commissioned him colonel of the 1st
his superior military knowledge, he
soon drilled and disciplined into one
of the famous regiments that went
from North Carolina Our own Wayne
county had the proud distinction of
furnishing Company ~H'' to this splen-
did regiment under the command of
the lamented Thomas Ruffin whose
honored name our worthy local chap
ter bears.
had the honor to serve for a short
time in his command. He was spare,
erect, and of graceful figure, quick
and alert in movement, and looked
the ideal soldier. He was a superb
horseman-the most splendid rider /
have ever seen in the saddle. Calm,
poised, self-contained under danger
and excitment, he never rashly sacri-
feed his men, but where duty led he
knew no fear. One Of the most daring
feats of bravery that came under my
observation during the war was his
gallant and heroic conduct i'm steady
ing a wavering regiment at Malvern
Hill. Many years after the war we
were discussing our campaign, and
| mentioned the incident to him without
giving the name OF the place told him
| what an inspiration his conduct was
to me that day, youth just emerg-
ing from his teens, and asked him il
he recollected. He replied, Eyes, I
remember. It was at Malvern Hill
just before sunset" But" he said,
''It was a call of duty. and simply
obeyed it, This was the manner OF
man he was.
We are glad to have with us to-day
| one of his accomplished daughters,
whose gracious presence adds pleas
ure to the occasion, and we extend
to her our most cordial greeting.
Cornelia. proud mother of the
pointed to her children and said
These are they" North Carolina can
point with pride to her devoted and
heroic sons as her jewels, and name
Robert Ransom one Of her brightest
l knew him well and am glad to num-
ber him as one of my friends. He has
long since been gathered to his faith
ers and sleeps now in the cemetery
at New Bern by the wife of his youth
God rest him.
And now, my dear Madam, / have
the honor to present to you his por-
trait, a striking likeness of the loyal
citizen, the most admirable gentle
man, the gallant and knightly Major
General Robert Ransom. I know you
will preserve it and cherish it as "an
apple of gold in picture of silver"
Mrs. Eugene Little, of Wadesboro
daughter of Col Risden T. Bennett,
appointed by the N. C. Division to ac-
cept these portraits, responded to
Capt. Slocumb as follows: