Norwich bulletin., 1911-11-11
COMMODORE RANsOMs
 REMAINS ARE MOVED.
Naval Hero of Civil War Who Died Here Rests at RichfieId Springs, N. Y

The Utica, N. r., Press under a Richfield Springs. N. Y.. date says:
 The remains of Commodore George Marcellus Ransom. U- $. N. who died at Norwich, Conn, Sept. 10, 1889, were brought to Richfield Springs Oct. 30 for final interment beside the body of his wife. who died last summer, and who was buried in Lakeview. Commo- dore Ransom was born in Cherry Val ley Otsego county, and was appointed midshipInan in the navy from the state of Ohio, July 25, 1889. His ser vices to his country were wide and varied on land and sea. He was in the war with Mexico in 1847-48 under the commands of. Commodore David Connor and M. c. Perry. He served with distinction throughout the war of boat Kineo in Farragut's fleet at the mem orable battles of Ports Jackson and St. Philip. and the Chalmette bat ter1eS on the lower Mississippi below New Orleans; and shared in the honor of the capture of that stronghold. In the general engagements with these forts, while passing them on April 24, 1862, the KfneO was set on fire by a red-hOt shot which lodged within 10 feet of the open magazine hatch The berth deck was filled with smoke, and the task for the commanding officer
 Commander Robinson, was to discover and dislodge the shot, extinguish the fire, preserve order, prevent panic and fight the ship. The personal intrepid ity of the commander saved the ship and sh' wen. her way to take part in that glorious mornings work, culmin- ating in the destruction of the rebel fleet and the capture of New Orleans
 and until Farraguts fleet had done it's office at Vicksburg, Ransom was with him. At Baton Rouge. August 5, 1862, the shells from the Kineo played such havoc with the army of Breckenridge that it was forced back demoralized. Three days later in recognition of this service, the lieutenant commander was appointed by Farragut to the com mand of division to operate with his fotilJa Of gunboats between Baton Rogue and New Orleans, and to CO., operate with the army His gunboat was always to be found in the line of battle He was commissioned a com mander in 1863, and assigned to the Mercedita of the West Indian squad ron, 1s63.4; subsequently to the Mus coota, 1865, in which command he was appointed by Rear Admiral Stribling to the command of the blockading squadron of the East Gulf, numbering 23 vessels There was not a reach" on tho Mississippi from Carro11ton to Port Hudson. in which he was not en- gagged with the enemy during his long patrol of that river. At Port Hudson he was sent by Farragut to examine and report the extent of the fortifica- tlonS erected here to cut the river fleets in two. He carried his gunboat into good range of the battery and drew their whole fire upon himself in order to carry back a report of their existence, which Farraget had doubt ed. During the operations his gunboat grounded, and for half an hour lay under the fierce fire of the enemy.
 Commodore Ransom saw service in time of peace in Brazil, in the Pacific, and along the coast of Africa. In the North Atlantic he commanded the Ter TOT and the Minnesota, the Colorado and the Franklin. He served on the northern lakes, commanded the navy yard at Boston and at League Island
 and served in the ordnance depart ment- It may be truly said of him that no country and no government ever had more faithful and devoted servant than George MarceIlus Ran som, and the county of Otsego and his native state may well cherish his mem ory. The children of Rear Admiral Swift of this village are grandchildren