The Bravest of the Brave: The Correspondence of Stephen Dodson Ramseur (Civil War America)

Born in Lincolnton, North Carolina, in 1837, Stephen Dodson Ramseur rose meteorically through the military ranks. Graduating from West Point in 1860, he joined the Confederate army as a captain. By the time of his death near the end of the war at the Battle of Cedar Creek, he had attained the rank of major general in the Army of Northern Virginia. He excelled in every assignment and was involved as a senior officer in many of the war's most important conflicts east of the Appalachians. Born in Lincolnton, North Carolina, in 1837, Stephen Dodson Ramseur rose meteorically through the military ranks. Graduating from West Point in 1860, he joined the Confederate army as a captain. By the time of his death near the end of the war at the Battle of Cedar Creek, he had attained the rank of major general in the Army of Northern Virginia. He excelled in every assignment and was involved as a senior officer in many of the war's most important conflicts east of the Appalachians. Born In Lincolnton, North Carolina, In 1837, Stephen Dodson Ramseur Rose Meteorically Through The Military Ranks. Graduating From West Point In 1860, He Joined The Confederate Army As A Captain. By The Time Of His Death Near The End Of The War At The Battle Of Cedar Creek, He Had Attained The Rank Of Major General In The Army Of Northern Virginia. He Excelled In Every Assignment And Was Involved As A Senior Officer In Many Of The War's Most Important Conflicts East Of The Appalachians. Ramseur's Letters -- Over 180 Of Which Are Collected And Transcribed Here By George Kundahl -- Provide His Incisive Observations On These Military Events ... These Letters Also Offer Rare Insight Into The Personal Opinions Of A High-ranking Civil War Officer. Correspondence By Civil War Figures Is Often Strictly Professional. But In Personal Letters To His Wife, Nellie, And Best Friend, David Schenk, Ramseur Candidly Expresses Beliefs About The Social, Military, And Political Issues Of The Day. He Also Shares Vivid Accounts Of Battle And Daily Camp Life, Providing Colorful Details On Soldiering During The War--jacket. Introduction -- The Formative Years, 1837-1855 -- Wearing The Military Uniform Of The United States : The West Point Years And Service As An Army Officer, 1855-1861 -- Confederate Artillery Officer, 1861-1862 -- Regimental Commander, April-october 1862 -- Brigade Commander (i), November 1862-october 1863 -- Brigade Commander (ii), November 1863-may 1864 -- Division Commander, May-october 1864 -- Death And Aftermath. Edited By George G. Kundahl ; Foreword By Gary W. Gallagher. Includes Bibliographical References And Index. Born in Lincolnton, North Carolina, in 1837, Stephen Dodson Ramseur rose meteorically through the military ranks. Graduating from West Point in 1860, he joined the Confederate army as a captain. By the time of his death near the end of the war at the Battle of Cedar Creek, he had attained the rank of major general in the Army of Northern Virginia. He excelled in every assignment and was involved as a senior officer in many of the war's most important conflicts east of the Appalachians. Ramseur's letters--over 180 of which are collected and transcribed here by George Kundahl--provide his incisive observations on these military events. At the same time, they offer rare insight into the personal opinions of a high-ranking Civil War officer. Correspondence by Civil War figures is often strictly professional. But in personal letters to his wife, Nellie, and best friend, David Schenk, Ramseur candidly expresses beliefs about the social, military, and political issues of the day. He also shares vivid accounts of battle and daily camp life, providing colorful details on soldiering during the war. Contents......Page 8 Foreword......Page 12 Editorial Method and Letter Sources......Page 14 INTRODUCTION......Page 20 CHAPTER ONE: The Formative Years, 1837–1855......Page 26 CHAPTER TWO: Wearing the Military Uniform of the United States: The West Point Years and Service as an Army Officer, 1855–1861......Page 36 CHAPTER THREE: Confederate Artillery Officer, 1861–1862......Page 94 CHAPTER FOUR: Regimental Commander, April–October 1862......Page 108 CHAPTER FIVE: Brigade Commander (I), November 1862–October 1863......Page 124 CHAPTER SIX: Brigade Commander (II), November 1863–May 1864......Page 194 CHAPTER SEVEN: Division Commander, May–October 1864......Page 246 CHAPTER EIGHT: Death and Aftermath......Page 310 APPENDIX: Abbreviated Family Tree of Stephen Dodson Ramseur......Page 326 Bibliography......Page 330 Acknowledgments......Page 336 C......Page 338 J......Page 339 P......Page 340 R......Page 341 U......Page 342 W......Page 343