when in september 1863, ramsey was named to replace brigadier general james ripley as chief of ordnance, he was serving as commandant of the washington arsenal. a friend of president lincoln's, he was selected for his new post over the objections of secretary of war edwin m. stanton, who had previously been irritated by ramsay's independence, and who preferred the appointment of captain george t. balch. a compromise was reached, though without ramsay's knowledge. he was promoted to brigadier general and chief of ordnance, but balch was given substantive charge of the office, chief of ordnance. this increasingly unhappy arrangement continued for a year, during which time the policies of ramsay's predecessor were followed virtually without alteration.