Ransom, Hyatt C., Military Papers, 1861-1874

Held by The Filson Historical Society

Creator:  Ransom, Hyatt C., 1823-1874

Title:  Military papers, 1861-1873

Rights: For information regarding literary and copyright interest for these papers, contact the Curator of Special Collections.

Size of Collection:  .33 cu. ft.

Location Number:  Mss. BG R212

Scope and Content Note

Collection includes official orders issued to Lt. Col. Hyatt Ransom during his service as a quartermaster in the U.S. Army.  The orders, which describe his assignments and duties, cover the Civil War period, during which he was assigned to the Dept. of the Ohio, the Mountain Dept., the Army of Kentucky and the Dept. of the South, and the post-war period, where he served in the Division of the Gulf, the Central District of Texas, Jeffersonville, Ind., Depot, Dept. of Dakota and Dept. of Montana.  These were formerly bound in a volume, but have since become loose. (1) A letter-book, dated 1866-70, contains bound letters which confirm the financial officers of transportation companies who are authorized to receive payments from the U.S. Government. (2)

 

Biographical Note

Hyatt C. Ransom was born in 1823 in Tioga, New York, the son of Ira and Sarah Ransom. He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1851 and promoted to 2nd Lt., Mounted Infantry in the U.S. Army.  Following graduation, he was posted at several garrisons, primarily in Texas and New Mexico, over the next 8 years. In 1859, he was promoted to the rank of captain and later served as Asst. Quartermaster at Ft. Leavenworth, Kan.  Following the outbreak of the Civil War, he served as Asst. Quartermaster, Army of Virginia, and Chief Quartermaster, Army of Kentucky and 4th Army Corps.  In 1863 he was promoted to Lt. Col., U.S. Volunteers, and served as Chief Quartermaster in the Department of the Ohio and Department of the South, 1864-65.  After the War, he was promoted to Major, U.S. Army, and appointed Chief Quartermaster in the District of Texas, 1865-67 and at Jeffersonville, Ind., Depot, 1867- 69.  While at the latter post, he married Sarah A. Read on 22 Dec. 1869.  After spending two years as Chief Quartermaster in the Department of the Cumberland, he was appointed Chief Quartermaster in the Department of Montana.  In 1872 he was promoted to Lt. Col, U.S. Army, and appointed Chief Quartermaster, Department of the Gulf, stationed in New Orleans.  While there, his health began to deteriorate, suffering from “ulcers of the bowels”.  In February 1874 he was given a leave of absence to return to Jeffersonville, Ind., where he died 16 March 1874.  He is buried in Walnut Ridge Cemetery in Jeffersonville, Indiana.

 

Folder List

Folder 1:  Military orders and correspondence, 1861-1873 [110 items]

Folder 2:  Letter-book (Authorities for Receipt), 1866-1870 [1 vol.]

 

Subject Headings

Courts-martial and courts of inquiry – United States.

Military departments and divisions – United States.

Quartermasters – United States.

United States – History – Civil War, 1861-1865 – Equipment and supplies.

United States. Army – Appointments and retirements.

United States. Army – Procurement.

United States. Army – Promotions.

United States. Army – Regulations.

United States. Army – Supplies and stores.

United States. Army – Transportation – Equipment and supplies.

United States. Army of Kentucky.