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The army has lost no braver or nobler officer, in all that constitutes soldierly character and ability, than
General T. E. G. Ransom.
Like the
French Chevalier Bayard, he was alike “sans peur et sans reproche,” without fear and without reproach.
Numerous instances are recorded of his calm and magnificent courage; one of the most remarkable is an incident appertaining to the assault on
Vicksburg, on the 22d of May, 1863.
His brigade formed a part of the charging column that day, and as it advanced toward the rebel breastworks a storm of grape and canister swept through it from an enfilading battery, killing or wounding many officers, and for an instant checking the whole movement.
Perceiving that the men wavered,
General Ransom seized the colors of a regiment, and rushing to the front, waved them over his head, and shouted, “Forward, men!
We must and will go into that fort.
Who will follow me?”
Inspirited by this action, the column rallied about its intrepid leader, and gained the ditch in front of the fort.
But the strength of the position and the commanding fire of the enemy satisfied him that the assault would prove only a useless sacrifice of life.
Then, placing himself at a conspicuous point, he addressed his men in a loud, clear voice, as follows: “Men of the second brigade!
we cannot maintain this position.
You must retire to the cover of that ”
