(1826 - 1904) Confederate politician turned brigadier general who fought in the Seven Days, Sharpsburg and Petersburg, wounded three times in the process. Fine content war-date A.L. (unsigned), 4pp. 4to., Petersburg, Nov. 2, 1864, to his wife, Martha Anne 'Pattie' Exum. Ransom criticizes a fellow general for his recent failure in North Carolina, in part: ‘...I was very gloomy when your letter came, but it seen made me bright & cheerful. The fall of Plymouth [North Carolina] for a time made me feel so desperately – such infamous [?]. And yet, my darling, such management constantly disgraces our service & the Officers guilty of it are actually rewarded by the Government. The probability is that Genl. [Laurence S.] Baker will be promoted for his base surrender. But we must bear our fate, and as long as we maintain our own virtue pure we at least are unconquered. For at last, it is not Government, nor institutions… that make our happiness – it is our own minds & hearts. While they are right we have nothing to dread. They are the great citadel at last. And I hope nothing can ever come to darken the pure light of yours and mine. But I am not going to write you a homily…’ Ransom continues, giving instructions for Pattie to purchase certain articles of clothing and other wants from home to send him, before returning to his present situation in besieged Petersburg: ‘Well there is nothing new here – all quiet – the usual sharpshooting and cannonading. Genl. [Robert E.] Lee was on the lines yesterday – a noble, most noble man. I was too much panicked about Plymouth to be agreeable – so I said some very rough things to him. I have had me some very warm clothes made. My arm is still in sling – this I put in my sleeve – the arm is no better & gives me much trouble, still unhealed – I must be a very good patriot to stay here with this arm & away from you… I do pray that this war will soon end. It is so horrid [&] slow…’ Shows original mailing folds, with a couple of small holes thereto on the second page, with light foxing and soiling throughout and light toning to the edges, still in very good, legible condition.