Background
George Douglas Ramsay, the son of Andrew and Catherine (Graham) Ramsay, was born on February 21, 1802 in Dumfries, Virginia. His father, a Scottish-born merchant of Alexandria, Virginia, moved to Washington, D. C.
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George Douglas Ramsay
Edit ProfileEducation
At the age of twelve George received his appointment as a cadet to the United States Military Academy and graduated on July 1, 1820.
Career
He was commissioned second lieutenant in the corps of light artillery. The next year, when the artillery was reorganized into regiments, he was assigned to the 16t Artillery. He was promoted to first lieutenant of the 16t Artillery in 1826 and in 1833 he became adjutant of that regiment, having previously served in garrisons in the New England states and at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, and on topographical duty.
In 1835 he was promoted to captain of ordnance, which grade he held for over twenty-six years. From 1835 to 1845 he commanded arsenals in Washington, D. C. , New York, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Georgia. During the military occupation of Texas in 1845 and 1846, Ramsay served as ordnance officer at Corpus Christi and at Point Isabel. He was with General Taylor's army in the Mexican War, was brevetted major for gallant and meritorious conduct in the several conflicts at Monterey, and was chief of ordnance of that army from June 1847 to May 1848.
After the Mexican War he commanded, successively, the Frankford Arsenal in Pennsylvania, the arsenals at Fortress Monroe, Virginia, at St. Louis, Missouri, and at Washington, D. C. , where he was on duty at the outbreak of the Civil War. On April 22, 1861, he was promoted to the rank of major; on August 3 of the same year to lieutenant-colonel; and on June 1, 1863, to colonel of ordnance, continuing all the while in command of the Washington Arsenal which had become an important munitions supply depot for the Union armies.
On September 15, 1863, he was appointed brigadier-general and chief of ordnance of the army, which post he held until September 12, 1864, when he was retired from active service for age. He continued to serve, however, by special assignment as inspector of arsenals until June 8, 1866, and in command of the Washington Arsenal until Feburary 21, 1870, when he retired from all public duty. In 1865 he was brevetted major-general for long and faithful service in the army. After his retirement, he continued to make his home in Washington, D. C. , where he was active in the vestry of St. John's Episcopal Church.
Personality
Ramsay was a pleasant person, hopeful of providing satisfaction to his superiors and not unreceptive to new ideas in the weapons field.
Connections
On September 23, 1830, he married Frances Whetcroft Munroe of Washington, D. C. , who died in 1835 leaving one child, Francis Munroe Ramsay, who became a rear admiral in the navy. He was married a second time on June 28, 1838, to Eliza Hennen Gales of Louisiana, the niece and adopted daughter of Joseph Gales, 1786-1860. They had three daughters and two sons, both of whom became army officers.
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Born
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Died
May 23, 1882 (aged 80) -
Resting place
Oak Hill Cemetery, Washington, United States -
Nationality
American -
Religion
Episcopal