Thomas Davis Ranson (May 19, 1843 – July 21, 1918),[3] was an American lawyer, businessperson, and military officer, from Staunton, Virginia.
[4][1] Ranson joined the Confederate States Army in 1861 during the start of the American Civil War, where he initially served as a private during the Harpers Ferry fighting in April of the same year.
[4] On May 1, 1862, he attained the rank of lieutenant right before the Shenandoah Valley Campaign led by Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson.
[4] By the Battle of Antietam on September 17, 1862, Ranson was in better health and had joined the Confederacy States Army's "secret service department as a captain of scouts".
[4] Ranson continued fighting battles until his capture by the Union Army and imprisoned at Fort McHenry.