Ransom Allen Perkins, a native of Chicopee, Mass., enrolled In September of 1861, at Springfield, Mass. to serve three years, and was mustered in as Corporal of Co. D. of the 5th New York Volunteer Cavalry Regiment ("Ira Harris Guard.") He was soon promoted Commissary Sergeant. In Jan. 1864 he re-enlisted as a veteran and was mustered in as Second Lieutenant. He was then promoted to First Lieutenant on Nov. 25, 1864. With the regiment, Perkins fought in Maryland, Virginia, and Pennsylvania, taking part in the operations against Stonewall Jackson in the Shenandoah Valley, 2nd Bull Run Campaign, Antietam Campaign, Gettysburg, Rapidan Campaign, and Sheridan's Shenandoah Valley Campaign. Perkins was mustered out with the company in July 1865.
From the description of Civil War letters of Ransom Allen Perkins, 1861, Dec. 7 -- 1864, Oct. 2. (Huntington Library, Art Collections & Botanical Gardens). WorldCat record id: 79458012
