Page:Encyclopedia of Virginia Biography volume 3.djvu/172

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\IRG1XIA BIOGRAPHY

Ramsay, George Douglas, was born in Dumfries, \'irginia, February 21, 1802, son 01 Andrew and Catherine (Graham) Ram- say, grandson ot Patrick and Elizabeth (Poythress) Ramsay and of Richard and Jane (Brent) Graham. Patrick Ramsay emigrated from Glasgow, Scotland, to Vir- ginia, and settled in Bristol Parish. He re- turned to Scotland prior to the revolution, and after his death, in 1791, his widow brought her sons to Alexandria, Virginia, where they followed mercantile pursuits. George Douglas Ramsay was graduated from the United States Military Academy, and promoted second lieutenant, light ar- tillery, July I. 1820; was transferred to the First Artillery on the reorganization of the army, June i, 1821 ; and promoted first lieu- tenant, March i, 1826. He served as adju- tant of the First Artillery, 1833-35 ; as as- sistant ordnance officer at Washington, D. C, in 1835, and was promoted captain and transferred to the ordnance department, February 25, 1835, serving as commandant of the New York, Washington, Frankford, and Augusta- arsenals. He was married, September 23, 1830, to Frances Whetcroft, daughter of Thomas and Frances (Whet- croft) Munroe, of Washington, D. C. ; his wife died April 22, 1835. He was married (.second) June 28, 1838, to Eliza Rae, daugh- ter of Thomas Gales, of Louisiana. He was ordnance officer at Corpus Christi and Point Isabel in the military occupation of Texas, 1845-46. and in the battle of Monterey, where he was brevetted major, for gallant conduct. He was chief of ordnance of Gen. Taylor's army, 1847-48 ; commandant of the Frankford, Fort Munroe, St. Louis and Washington arsenals. 1848-61 ; and was pro- moted major, April 22, 1861 ; lieutenant- colonel, August 3, 1861 ; and colonel, June

I. 1863. He commanded the arsenal at Washington, D. C, 1861-63; served as chief or ordnance of the United States army with headquarters at Washington, 1863-64; was promoted brigadier-general, and made chief of ordnance of the L'nited States army, Sep- tember 15, 1863, and retired by age limit, September 12, 1864. He was inspector of arsenals, 1864-66; commanded the Wash- ington arsenal, 1866-70; was brevetted ma- jor-general, U. S. A., March 13, 1865, for long and faithful services, and was a mem- ber of the examining board. He died in ^\'ashington, D. C, May 23, 1882.

Barron, Samuel, was born in Virginia, about 1802, son of Commodore Samuel Bar- ron, U. S. N., entered the navy as a mid- shipman ; lieutenant. March 3, 1827; com- mander, July 15, 1847; captain in 1855. When the civil war broke out he was ap- pointed chief of the bureau of detail, but had already accepted a commission as commo- dore in the Confederate navy, and superin- tendency of the defenses of North Caro- lina and \'irginia. He was in command at the surrender of Forts Clark and Hatteras. August 28, 1861, and was one of the pris- oners sent to New York. An exchange was eflected in 1862, after which he went to England, and engaged in fitting out block- ade runners and privateers. At the close of the war he settled on a farm in \^irginia. He died February 20. 1888.

Powell, Levin Minn, was born at Win- chester, Virginia, April 21. 1803, son ot Alfred Harrison and Sidney (Thruston) Powell ; grandson of Col. Levin and Sarah (Harrison) Powell: great-grandson of \\"\\- liani and Eleanor (Peyton) Powell, llis grandfather. Levin (1737-1810), raised and equipped the Sixteenth Mrginia Regiment ;