William Y. W. Ripley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Young Warren Ripley
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| Born | December 31, 1832 Middlebury, Vermont |
| Died | December 16, 1905 (aged 72) Rutland, Vermont |
| Place of burial |
Evergreen Cemetery
Rutland, Vermont |
| Allegiance |  United States of America.svg){kind=small} Vermont |
| Service/ |
Union Army Vermont Militia |
| Years of service | 1858 – 1861 (Militia) 1861 – 1862 (Army) 1864 – 1866 (Militia) |
| Rank |  Lieutenant Colonel (Army) Major General (Militia) |
| Unit | 1st Vermont Infantry 1st United States Sharpshooters |
| Commands held |
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| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
| Other work | Businessperson Banker |
| Signature |  |
William Young Warren Ripley (December 31, 1832 – December 16, 1905) was an officer in the Union Army from Vermont. He fought in the American Civil War. He earned the Medal of Honor for his bravery at the Battle of Malvern Hill.
Contents
Early Life and Work
William Y. W. Ripley was born in Middlebury, Vermont, on December 31, 1832. He went to school at Troy Conference Academy in Poultney. He also studied at the Lima Institute in Lima, New York. After school, he started working in Rutland. He joined his family's marble business and their bank, the Rutland County National Bank.
Military Service in the Civil War
Joining the Militia
In 1858, Ripley became a lieutenant in the Rutland Light Guards. This was a group of volunteer soldiers. Their leader was Horace Henry Baxter. Baxter later became a top officer for the Vermont Militia.
Fighting in the Union Army
In May 1861, Ripley joined the Union Army for the Civil War. He became a captain. He led the Rutland Light Guards, which became Company K of the 1st Vermont Volunteer Infantry Regiment. He served with this group for three months in Washington, D.C., and Virginia. He even fought in the Battle of Big Bethel.
Later in 1861, Ripley joined the 1st United States Sharpshooters. He was a lieutenant colonel, which meant he was second in command. He fought in several battles, including the Battle of Malvern Hill in July 1862. During this battle, he was badly wounded. His injuries were so serious that he could not return to fighting on the battlefield.
Leading the Vermont Militia
Because of his injuries, Ripley could not take command of the 10th Vermont Infantry in August 1862. However, in 1864, he was made a major general in the 1st Division of the Vermont Militia. The militia helped keep peace and security in Vermont. They also guarded the border with Canada. This was especially important after the St. Albans Raid in October 1864. Ripley served until the militia was reorganized after the war.
Medal of Honor for Bravery
Heroism at Malvern Hill
During the Battle of Malvern Hill, Lieutenant Colonel Ripley showed great courage. At a very important moment in the battle, he went to the back lines. He brought two groups of soldiers who had been waiting. He then led these soldiers into the fight himself. He kept fighting even after a bullet hit his leg. He had to be carried off the battlefield because of his injury.
Receiving the Award
In 1893, Ripley was given the Medal of Honor for his brave actions at the Battle of Malvern Hill. The Medal of Honor is the highest award for bravery a soldier can receive. The official statement about his award says:
The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Lieutenant Colonel William Young Warren Ripley, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 1 July 1862, while serving with 1st U.S. Sharpshooters, in action at Malvern Hill, Virginia. At a critical moment Lieutenant Colonel Ripley brought up two regiments, which he led against the enemy himself, being severely wounded.
General Orders:
Date of Issue: March 11, 1893 Action Date: July 1, 1862
Service: Army Rank: Lieutenant Colonel
Division: 1st U.S. Sharpshooters
Life After the War
Business and Community Leader
After the Civil War, Ripley went back to his family's businesses. He ran the marble company with his brother, Edward. Their company was called Ripley Sons. He also served as the president of the Rutland County National Bank.
Ripley was active in several groups for Civil War veterans. He was elected president of the Reunion Society of Vermont Officers in 1867. He was also a member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States and the Grand Army of the Republic.
In 1889, the Ripley family sold their marble business. It was bought by the Vermont Marble Company. This company was led by another Civil War veteran, Redfield Proctor.
Political Life
Ripley was a member of the Republican Party. In 1868, he was a delegate at the Republican National Convention. In 1880, he helped choose the president. He voted for James A. Garfield and Chester A. Arthur.
The city of Rutland became its own separate city in the late 1800s. Ripley served as the city's mayor from 1899 to 1900.
Ripley also wrote a book about his Civil War experiences. It was called Vermont Riflemen in the War for the Union and was published in 1883.
Death and Family
Passing Away
William Y. W. Ripley died in Rutland on December 16, 1905. He was buried in Evergreen Cemetery in Rutland.
His Family
William Y. W. Ripley had a brother named Edward H. Ripley. Edward also served in the Civil War. He was a general and led some of the first troops into Richmond after the war ended.
William Y. W. Ripley was married to Cornelia Ann Thomas Ripley. They had several children, including Mary Elizabeth, William Thomas, Janet Warren, Thomas Emerson, and Charles Edward. His son, Thomas E. Ripley, was the father of the famous writer Clements Ripley.
