Veteran in crisis? Dial 988 then press 1 · Text 838255 Next observance: Navy Birthday · October 13
Honoring American TroopsMedal of Honor Archive

Captain · U.S. Army

Edward Washburn Whitaker

Captain Edward Washburn Whitaker, Army, received the Medal of Honor for actions on June 29, 1864 at Reams' Station, Virginia during the Civil War.

U.S. Civil War June 29, 1864

Serving as a soldier in the U.S. Army, Captain Edward Washburn Whitaker received the Medal of Honor for his actions on June 29, 1864 at Reams' Station, Virginia during the Civil War. At the time he was serving with Company E, 1st Connecticut Cavalry. Whitaker was 23 years old.

One other service member also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on April 2, 1898, 33 years after the action. He later rose to the rank of Brigadier General U.S. Volunteers.

Whitaker was born on June 15, 1841 in Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut. His Medal of Honor is credited to Hartford, Hartford County, Connecticut. Whitaker died on July 30, 1922 in Washington, District of Columbia, US, at the age of 81. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. His medal is held by National Archives & Records Administration, Washington, DC.

Whitaker is one of 1,525 Medal of Honor recipients from the Civil War and one of 57 credited to Connecticut.

Official Medal of Honor citation

While acting as an aide, voluntarily carried dispatches from the commanding general to Gen. Meade, forcing his way with a single troop of cavalry, through an infantry division of the enemy in the most distinguished manner, though he lost half his escort.

Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.

Battles and campaigns

Also served in: American Civil War.

Life beyond the battlefield

  • Occupations: civil servant

Source: Wikidata.

Places

  • Born: Killingly — map
  • Died: Washington, D.C. — map
  • Buried: Arlington National Cemetery — map

Veteran resources, cemeteries and meeting places in Connecticut →

Timeline

  1. June 15, 1841
    Born in Killingly, Windham County, Connecticut
  2. June 29, 1864
    Act of valor — Reams' Station, Virginia
    Age 23. Company E, 1st Connecticut Cavalry
  3. April 2, 1898
    Medal of Honor presented
  4. July 30, 1922
    Died in Washington, District of Columbia, US
    Age 81.
  5. Resting place
    Arlington National Cemetery
    Arlington, Virginia

Biography

Edward Washburn Whitaker (June 15, 1841 – July 30, 1922) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for gallantry in action in 1864. He was one of the youngest generals in the Union Army, promoted to Brigadier General at the age of 23.

From the Wikipedia article “Edward W. Whitaker”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →

Also honored for actions on June 29, 1864

DH Dennis William Hickey Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864

More Civil War recipients from Connecticut

William Edgar Simonds Sergeant Major · Army Civil War · 1863 Robert A. Gray Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864 JS James Sullivan Ordinary Seaman · Navy Civil War · 1864 Aaron Steven Lanfare First Lieutenant · Army Civil War · 1865 TH Thomas Harding Captain of the Forecastle · Navy Civil War · 1864 DS David H. Scofield Quartermaster Sergeant · Army Civil War · 1864
Sources. Service and award details compiled from the recipient record of the Congressional Medal of Honor Society, Wikidata and Wikipedia. The narrative summary is generated from these records. Spotted an error? Send a correction.