Edward H. Ripley

Edward H. Ripley was born in Rutland, Vermont on November 11, 1839.U.S. Government Printing Office, [https://books.google.com/books?id=sk1ZAAAAIAAJ&pg=RA1-PA90 U.S. Senate Documents: proposed Volunteer Retired List], Military record of Edward H. Ripley, Volume 8, 1906, page 90 He was educated locally and at Troy Conference Academy in Poultney (later called Green Mountain College).William Arba Ellis, [https://books.google.com/books?id=XJApAQAAIAAJ&pg=PA545 Norwich University, 1819–1911: Her History, Her Graduates, Her Roll of Honor], Volume 3, 1911, page 545 He attended Union College from 1858 to 1862, and was a member of the Psi Upsilon fraternity.The University Magazine, [https://books.google.com/books?id=qywBAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA43 The Theta Chapter of Psi Upsilon], January 1891, page 80Union University, [https://books.google.com/books?id=eqcaAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA70 Union College Alumni in the Civil War, 1861–1865], 1915, page 70

Ripley left college near the end of his senior year to join the Army, enlisting as a private in the 9th Vermont Infantry in May 1862.Psi Upsilon Fraternity, [https://books.google.com/books?id=iCN-AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA13 The twelfth general catalogue of the Psi Upsilon Fraternity], 1917, page 13 Union College continued him on its student rolls and awarded him a Bachelor of Arts degree as a member of the Class of 1862.James T. White & Company, [https://books.google.com/books?id=YTcOAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA236 The National Cyclopædia of American Biography], Volume XVI, 1918, page 236

He attained the rank of sergeant, and then was commissioned as a captain and appointed to command the regiment's Company B, which he led during action in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign in the summer of 1862, including the Siege of Suffolk, Virginia. He received promotion to major that summer.Ellis, Norwich University, page 545Edwin C. Hill, [https://books.google.com/books?id=TX0DAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA56 The Historical Register], 1920, page 56

In September 1862 Ripley was among those taken prisoner at the Battle of Harpers Ferry. After he was exchanged in January 1863 he continued to serve with the 9th Vermont during action in Virginia and North Carolina throughout 1863. He was promoted to lieutenant colonel in May 1863, and received promotion to colonel and command of the regiment a week later.John H. Eicher, David J. Eicher, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Fs0Ajlnjl6AC&pg=PA454 Civil War High Commands], 2001, page 454

He was subsequently appointed to command a military district in the area of Beaufort and New Bern, North Carolina. In August 1864 Ripley was promoted to brevet brigadier general and assigned to command 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, XVIII Corps, Army of the James. He later commanded the 2nd Brigade, including action at the Battle of Chaffin's Farm and the Second Battle of Fair Oaks. Ripley was wounded twice, and was later assigned to command 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, XXIV Corps,United States War Department, [https://books.google.com/books?id=WZItAAAAIAAJ&pg=PA557 The War of the Rebellion: A Compilation of the Official Records of the Union and Confederate Armies], 1892, page 557

which was assigned to lead the Union troops into Richmond after the Confederate surrender, with orders to extinguish fires, prevent looting and maintain order.The Vermonter magazine, [https://books.google.com/books?id=1EA5AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA131 Vermont Organizations: Annual Meetings in 1904], Reunion Society of Vermont Officers, November 1904, page 131

Ripley commanded the military district which included Richmond until the city's civilian government was restored at the end of the war. When Abraham Lincoln visited Richmond from April 4 to 7, 1865, Ripley became aware of an assassination plot and met with Lincoln to urge him to take increased precautions for his safety. Lincoln declined, stating that it was more important that he be seen among the people as a sign that hostilities were over, and that if someone was determined to assassinate him, increased security would not prevent it.David Herbert Donald, [https://books.google.com/books?id=lTQSlhUUEOQC&pg=PA577 Lincoln], 2011, page 577Brendan H. Egan, Jr., [https://books.google.com/books?id=YSyMAAAAQBAJ&pg=PT38 Murder at Ford's Theatre: A Chronicle of An Assassination], 2000David J. Eicher, [https://books.google.com/books?id=1p94XzYASDAC&pg=PA815 The Longest Night: A Military History of the Civil War], 2002, page 815

Ripley mustered out of the service in June 1865.John C. Williams, [https://books.google.com/books?id=MaTK0RV4OqcC&pg=PA303 The History and Map of Danby, Vermont], 1869, page 303

After the war Ripley returned to Vermont, also maintaining a residence in New York City. In partnership with his brother William he operated the Ripley Sons marble business until selling it to the Vermont Marble Company, which was operated by fellow Civil War veteran Redfield Proctor.David C. Gale, [https://books.google.com/books?id=2i5AAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA109 Proctor: The Story of a Marble Town], 1922, page 109Leon Fink, [https://books.google.com/books?id=9Lh6nEhPqIEC&pg=PA68 Workingmen's Democracy: The Knights of Labor and American Politics], 1983, page 68

Ripley built the Holland House Hotel in New York City,The National Cyclopædia of American BiographyVrest Orton, Vermont History, [http://vermonthistory.org/journal/cw/VermontGeneral_v28.pdf The Vermont General], April 1960, page 157 which was owned by members of his wife's Van Doren family,New York Times, [https://timesmachine.nytimes.com/timesmachine/1902/04/04/101945088.pdf What is Doing in Society], April 4, 1902C. B. Merwin, printer, [https://books.google.com/books?id=GULmtY7U_qgC&pg=RA1-PA64 New York Supreme Court Papers, Gushee vs. Harms], 1908, pages 32, 64F. W. Dodge Corporation, [https://books.google.com/books?id=-LJRAAAAYAAJ&q=%22holland+house%22+%22van+doren%22+ripley Real Estate Record and Builders' Guide], Volume 50, 1892, page 147 and was responsible for the construction and operation of New Jersey’s Raritan River Railroad.New Jersey Comptroller of the Treasury, [https://books.google.com/books?id=dWk2AAAAIAAJ&pg=PA188 Annual Statements of the Railroad and Canal Companies], 1889, page 188 He was a founder of the United States and Brazil Steamship Line and served on its board of directors.Engineering News, [https://books.google.com/books?id=1egRAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA623 Obituary, Gen. Edward H. Ripley], Volume 74, Number 13, (September 23, 1915) page 623 In addition, he served as President of the Rutland Marble Savings Bank, and Vice President of the Rutland County National Bank.The National Cyclopædia of American Biography, page 236John J. Duffy, Alan Jon Fortney, David Ernest Robinson, [https://books.google.com/books?id=vkR5AAAAMAAJ&q=%22edward+h+ripley%22 Vermont, an illustrated history], 1985, page 235U.S. Comptroller of the Currency, [https://books.google.com/books?id=uqAFAAAAQAAJ&pg=PA53 Report of the Comptroller of the Currency], 1888, page 54

He also operated a successful horse breeding farm, with many of his animals being purchased for use in South America.Joseph Battell, [https://books.google.com/books?id=KKcCAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA403 American Morgan Horse Register], Volume 2, 1905, pages 10, 403 The location of Ripley's farm is now the site of the Sugar & Spice restaurant and gift shop, a business which specializes in maple products. The burial site of the horse Ripley rode for most of the Civil War, "Old John", is preserved at the location.Sugar & Spice, [http://vtsugarandspice.com/about-us.aspx Sugar & Spice: About Us], retrieved February 12, 2014

A Republican, Ripley held local offices for the town of Rutland. He served in the Vermont House of Representatives from 1886 to 1887, representing the town of Mendon.Vermont Secretary of State, [https://books.google.com/books?id=7ik0AQAAMAAJ&pg=PA397 Vermont Legislative Directory], 1886, page 397

Ripley was active in the Reunion Society of Vermont Officers, and elected President in 1887 and 1904.Reunion Society of Vermont Officers, [https://books.google.com/books?id=1OoSAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA279 Annual Meeting proceedings], Volume 2, 1906, pages 376–377 He was also an active member of the Grand Army of the Republic and the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.Robert Burns Beath, [https://books.google.com/books?id=4bZYAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA399 History of the Grand Army of the Republic], 1889, pages 399–400Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=MoXlAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA192 Register of the Military order of the loyal legion of the United States], 1906, page 192

Ripley's awards included an honorary master's degree from Norwich University (1910) and one from Union College (1915).Norwich University, [https://books.google.com/books?id=tcEiAAAAMAAJ&pg=RA6-PA16 Annual Catalogue], 1910, page 16Union University, [https://books.google.com/books?id=m0DPAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA142 Annual catalogue], 1915, page 142

Edward Ripley spoke and wrote about his Civil War experiences, and his works included a speech which was subsequently printed in book form, The Capture and Occupation of Richmond, April 3, 1865 (1907).Edward H. Ripley, [https://archive.org/details/captureandoccupa00ripliala The Capture and Occupation of Richmond, April 3rd, 1865], 1907, title page In addition, his diary was published in 1960 as Vermont General, The Unusual War Experiences of Edward Hastings Ripley, edited by Otto Eisenschiml.Edward Hastings Ripley, author, Otto Eisenschiml, editor, [https://books.google.com/books?id=rpwhAAAAMAAJ&q=Otto+Eisenschiml Vermont General: The Unusual War Experiences of Edward Hastings Ripley, 1862–1865], 1960, page iii

Ripley died in Rutland on September 14, 1915.R. R. Bowker Company, [https://books.google.com/books?id=dtNpAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA505 Information Annual for 1915], 1916, page 505 He is buried in Rutland's Evergreen Cemetery.[https://www.nps.gov/people/edward-hastings-ripley.htm National Park Service]

In 1878 Edward H. Ripley married Amelia Dyckman Van Doren (1845–1931).Huntington Family Association, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Yl9VAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA662 The Huntington Family in America], 1915, page 662 They had two daughters: Alice Van Doren Ripley (1881–1948), the wife of Alexander deTrofimoff Ogden Jones (1878–1943), and Amelia Sybil Huntington (1882–1963), the wife of Raphael Welles Pumpelly. The Ripley daughters were married in a double ceremony in 1909.Charlotte News, [https://www.newspapers.com/newspage/59325997/ Double Wedding Interests Society], June 8, 1909

Edward H. Ripley was the son of William Young Ripley, a prominent Vermont businessman and banker, and Jane Warren Ripley. Edward H. Ripley's siblings included: brother William Y. W. Ripley, a Civil War officer who received the Medal of Honor; and half-sister Julia Caroline Dorr, a famous poet and the wife of Seneca M. Dorr.The National Cyclopædia of American Biography, page 236Henry Perry Smith, William S. Rann, [https://books.google.com/books?id=S1QjAQAAMAAJ&q=%22edward+h+ripley%22+julia+dorr History of Rutland County, Vermont], 1993, page 336 His sister Helen was the mother of John Ripley Myers.Hamilton College, [https://books.google.com/books?id=B3UtAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA155 The Hamilton Review], Volumes 13–15, 1899, page 155Edward Hastings Ripley, Vermont General, pages 336, 228

The writer Clements Ripley was the grandson of William Y. W. Ripley and the grand-nephew of Edward H. Ripley.Vermont Historical Society, [http://vermonthistory.org/documents/findaid/ripleycc.pdf Description, Papers of Charlotte Clement Ripley (1864–1923)], 2007, page 1

{{reflist|30em}}

• New York Commandery, Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States, [https://archive.org/details/inmemoryofedward00mili In Memory of Edward Hastings Ripley, November 11, 1839 – September 14, 1915], 1915
• [http://vermontcivilwar.org/get.php?input=4989 Edward Hastings Ripley] at [http://vermontcivilwar.org/ Vermont in the Civil War] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130401161239/http://vermontcivilwar.org/ |date=April 1, 2013 }}
• {{Find a Grave|22688}}
• {{Find a Grave|43186978|Old John}}

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Category:1839 births

Category:1915 deaths

Category:People from Rutland (city), Vermont

Category:Union College (New York) alumni

Category:People of Vermont in the American Civil War

Category:Union army colonels

Category:Republican Party members of the Vermont House of Representatives

Category:American bank presidents

Category:Burials at Evergreen Cemetery (Rutland, Vermont)

Category:19th-century American railroad executives

Category:19th-century American legislators