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7 Division Commander, May–October 1864 as fighting progressed during May, Ewell’s precarious health declined . It was said that he could no longer continue to campaign without respite. Early assumed temporary control of Lee’s Second Corps, and Ramseur was selected to succeed him as division commander. Ramseur’s first trial under fire as a senior commander ensued quickly on May 30, the eve of his last birthday. He was promoted to the rank of major general at the age of twenty-­ seven years and one day, the youngest West Pointer to achieve this rank in the Confederate army. Grant’s flanking movements advanced toward the Chickahominy River and to the east of Lee’s army. The southern defense shifted to remain positioned between the Federals and Richmond. Early’s corps headed toward the crossroads at Bethesda Church, with its commander and Ramseur in the van. Encountering what seemed initially to be a single Union cannon impeding their advance from the left flank ahead, Ramseur dispatched Brig. Gen. John Pegram’s brigade to silence it. When Pegram’s men entered the field in front of the artillery piece, they were decimated by massed ordnance on their right. Critics blamed Ramseur for the carnage that followed his attack because he did not first ascertain the strength of his opponent or the perils posed by the terrain ahead. Ramseur’s command was still deployed along a line between Bethesda Church and Mechanicsville on June 3, when Grant launched an all-­ out offensive now known as Cold Harbor. Ramseur was with his sharpshooters as fighting erupted, and again narrowly avoided death when his mount fell, throwing him to the ground. Horse and rider arose and escaped through a hail of fire. While another close call was subsequently recounted to his 228 Division Commander wife, Ramseur’s first letters home as a division commander focus on successes achieved in his last month as a brigadier. Line of Battle Hanover Junction May 30th/64 My Darling Little Wife Your sweet letter of the 11th Inst came to hand today. How rejoiced I was to hear from you, to know that you are cheerful and happy, that you are hopeful and well. You see my wound is getting so well that I can again use my right hand. I only suffer now from a little soreness. I am very well and have been enabled to keep up wonderfully well throughout all the exposure and fatigue of the past few weeks. My Brigade has fought splendidly and suffered severely. In the great battle of the 12th Inst. I retook that part of the work near to Gen’l. Rodes position, from which Johnston’s [Johnson’s] Division had been driven by the Enemy. This charge of my Brigade is universally spoken of in the highest terms by Offrs. of distinction . Gen’l. Ewell called me the hero of the day &c. Gen’l. Lee sent for me to thank me. Again on the 19th Inst when our Corps was almost entirely enveloped & every thing looked squally I rec’d. an order to retreat which I protested against declaring that I could & would hold the enemy in check. The order was revoked, the Yankee advance repulsed & our Corps saved from heavy loss. I have been sorry on your account that the newspapers have not done me justice but you know correspondents write what is told them. They see nothing being too far to the rear and I am sure I will not trumpet my own praises. I send you a letter from the correspondent of the London Herald. The part taken by my sharpshooters is literally true but is not all the truth. I led my skirmishers in that charge. Every thing has been very quiet today. I don’t believe we will fight here. We are strongly entrenched & I believe Grant has entrenched also. I think therefore that Grant will attempt another flank movement. If so, I think Gen’l. Lee will attack him before he can entrench although our noble chief would rather that Grant w’d. attack him. Continue my Darling to be hopeful , trustful & prayerful. Be constant in prayer. Be cheerful and hopeful. Trust in prayer and God’s Providence. My life has been mercifully spared by an able Kind Providence. I firmly believe this to be in answer to your prayers. Do give my love to all at home. I do wish my Precious Darling that I could spend a few days or even hours with you. You...

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