Stephen Ramseur was born in Lincolnton, North Carolina, and an 1860 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point.
In a surprise attack on the Union Army at Cedar Creek on October 19, 1864, the Confederates under Gen. Jubal Early routed the Army of Gen. Phil Sheridan and forced it out of their camps in disorganization. Unfortunately for the Confederates, their troops were hungry and exhausted leading to them falling out of ranks to pillage the Union camps.
When Sheridan's counterattack struck, Ramseur was able to get a few hundred back in line and held off the Union attack for one and a half hours, showing great valor and bravery.
He was mounted on horseback and drew heavy fire the whole time. He was wounded in the arm and his horse shot out from under him. A second horse was also killed. He was on his third horse when he was shot through both lungs, fell and was captured by the 1st Vermont Cavalry.
He died the following day at Meadow Mills, Virginia at Sheridan's headquarters at Belle Grove Manison.
The day before the battle, word had reached the gallant Ramseur of the birth of his daughter. He was buried at St. Luke's Episcopal Cemetery in Lincolnton, North Carolina.
--Old Secesh
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