Autographs
1852 Historic "Midshipman" Navy Commission Signed by President Millard Fillmore to Francis M. Ramsay the Future Admiral and Superintendent of the U.S. Naval Academy
MILLARD FILLMORE (1800-1874). 13th President of the United States, serving from 1850 until 1853, and the last member of the Whig Party to hold that office.
(ADMIRAL FRANCIS MUNROE RAMSAY) (1835-1914) in the United States Navy who distinguished himself in the American Civil War, and who later served as Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Navigation and as the Commanding Officer Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy (1881-1886), Appointed Commodore in the Navy (1889).
July 12, 1852-Dated, Historically Important Partly-Printed Ornate Vellum Document Signed, "Millard Fillmore" as President, 13.75" x 16", 1 page, Washington, Choice Extremely Fine. Boldly printed and boldly Signed by President Fillmore on lightly folded clean Vellum having just several trivial small holes on the outer centerfold. President Fillmore confers the very First "Midshipman" Commission for future Navy Admiral and Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy, Francis M. Ramsay (not signed by Ramsay).
During the Civil War, Ramsay served on the Mississippi and commanded a battery of heavy guns against Vicksburg. He also assisted in the amphibious assaults on Fort Fisher in 1864 and 1865 and was present at the capture of Richmond, helping clearing mines from the James River. Ramsay distinguished himself in the American Civil War, and later served as Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Navigation.
After the Civil War, Ramsay served in many and varied positions afloat; as Fleet Captain, South Atlantic Squadron and as Commanding officer of Guerriere, Ossipee, Lancaster, Boston, and Trenton. Ashore, and as the Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy is its Commanding Officer (1881-1886), then in London as naval attach, and at Boston and New York as Commandant of the Navy Yards. In 1889 he became Chief of the Bureau of Navigation and remained in that post until his retirement April 5, 1897. Ramsay was promoted to Rear Admiral on April 5, 1894, and died while still in the service, in Washington, D.C. on July 19, 1914. In 1918, the Destroyer "USS Ramsay" (DD-124) was named in his honor.
Here, President Millard Fillmore appoints Ramsay a Midshipman, his first role as a Naval officer, Countersigned "William A. Graham" as Secretary of the Navy.
Admiral Francis Munroe Ramsay (April 5, 1835 - July 19, 1914) was an officer in the United States Navy who distinguished himself in the American Civil War, and who later served as Chief of the Navy's Bureau of Navigation, and the Superintendent of the United States Naval Academy is its Commanding Officer (1881-1886) and Commissioned as "Commodore in the Navy" in 1889.
On March 23, 1863, he assumed command of Choctaw, for duty in the Mississippi Squadron. In that gunboat, he participated in Yazoo River operations during April and May. Then on June 7th, he supported a Union garrison at Milliken's Bend, Louisiana in holding off some 4,000 Confederate troops. Moving on to Vicksburg, he commanded a battery of heavy guns mounted on scows in exposed positions before the city, June 19 " July 4. After the capture of the river stronghold, he was given Command of the 3rd Division, Mississippi Squadron.
During February and March 1864, he led expeditions up the Black and Ouachita Rivers and from mid-March to early May participated in Rear Admiral David Dixon Porter's expedition up the Red River. On September 28, he was transferred to the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron in command of Unadilla.
He participated in the amphibious assaults on Fort Fisher December 24, 1864 and on January 13, 1865, and in subsequent attacks against Fort Anderson and other forts along the Cape Fear River. In April, he assisted in removing torpedoes (mines) from the James River and was present at the capture of Richmond.
After the Civil War, Ramsay served in many and varied positions afloat; as Fleet Captain, South Atlantic Squadron and as commanding officer of Guerriere, Ossipee, Lancaster, Boston, and Trenton. Ashore, he served at the Naval Academy, at Newport, in London as naval attach, and at Boston and New York as commandant of the Navy Yards.
In 1889 he became Chief of the Bureau of Navigation and remained in that post until his retirement April 5, 1897.
He was promoted to rear admiral on April 5, 1894, and died in Washington, D.C. July 19, 1914.