Background

Roswell Sabine Ripley was born on March 14, 1823, in Worthington, Ohio, United States. He was the son of Christopher Ripley, a captain in the War of 1812, and Julia Caulkins Ripley. His first American ancestor was William Ripley who settled in Hingham, Massachusetts, in 1638. An uncle, General James W. Ripley, probably inspired him to choose a military career.

Education

In 1839 Roswell entered the United States Military Academy on an appointment from New York and was graduated in 1843.

Career

Roswell Sabine Ripley was brevetted second lieutenant and assigned to the 3rd Artillery. From 1843 to 1846 he served at Fort McHenry, Maryland, Fort Johnston, North Carolina, the Augusta Arsenal, Georgia, and as an assistant professor of mathematics at West Point. He was with the Coast Survey from January 24 to May 19, 1846, in the meantime, March 26, being commissioned second lieutenant, 2nd Artillery. He served in the Mexican War with distinction, first under General Taylor and later on General Pillow's staff.

Ripley participated in most of the battles from Monterey to the city of Mexico, was commissioned first lieutenant, March 3, 1847, and brevetted captain, April 18, for gallantry at Cerro Gordo, and major, September 13, for meritorious conduct at Chapultepec.

In 1848-1849 he was on leave, engaged in writing history, "The War with Mexico." He saw service in the hostilities against the Seminoles in Florida and was later stationed at Fort McHenry, Maryland, Fort Monroe, Virginia, and Fort Moultrie, South Carolina.

On March 2, 1853, he resigned from the army.

After his retirement from the army, he engaged in business but did not lose his interest in military matters, serving as an officer in the state militia.

In 1860 Ripley was appointed a major of ordnance and after the evacuation of Fort Moultrie by Major Anderson, was promoted lieutenant-colonel. He commanded and reconditioned Moultrie and, after its fall, Fort Sumter. The promotion was slow, and he was about to resign when a group of leading Charleston citizens urged him to remain for the sake of the city. In August he was made a brigadier-general and placed in command of South Carolina. General John C. Pemberton replaced him in 1862 and soon afterward, on account of a fundamental difference of opinion as to the defense of Charleston, in which Ripley, as subsequent events proved, was correct, the latter asked to be relieved.

He was on bad terms with General Beauregard and other superiors, and Adjutant-General Cooper, in October 1861, had suggested replacing him but had been over-ruled by President Davis. At first, General Lee, who was familiar with Ripley's excellent work, declined to relieve him, but later placed him in command of a brigade. He was severely wounded at Antietam but was soon back in service. Upon the request of Beauregard and Governor Pickens, he was immediately sent to Charleston and placed in command of the first artillery district. He was soon again involved in serious quarrels with his superiors and subordinates.

In June 1863 Beauregard offered to send him to General Johnston if Johnston would apply for his transfer. Ripley retained his command, always, however, was a storm center.

In November 1864 the residents of Charleston protested against his removal as did Governor Bonham. Growing increasingly discontented with what he regarded as the neglect of the state, on Christmas Day, 1864, Ripley wrote Governor Magrath a letter, bitterly criticizing the Confederate government and offering to resign and take command with state troops to resist Sherman; he also suggested the enlistment of slaves. After the fall of Charleston, he was ordered to the army of the West and joined Johnston the day of the battle of Bentonville.

He was at once ordered back to South Carolina, where he was stationed when the war ended. Subsequently, he went to England and engaged in a manufacturing venture in London, which soon failed.

Roswell Ripley resided in Charleston thereafter but spent most of his time in New York.

Achievements

• Outside of the army, Roswell Sabine Ripley was widely popular, particularly in Charleston. Timrod wrote a poem in his honor. He had a wide reputation as a raconteur, and his reminiscences of the bombardment of Fort Sumter appeared in the New York World in 1885. He also published "Correspondence Relating to Fortification of Morris Island" in 1878.

Works

More photos

• book

  • The War with Mexico; Volume 1 1849
  • The War With Mexico, Volume 2 1849
  • Correspondence Relating to Fortification of Morris Island 1878

Personality

Quotes from others about the person

• "One of the best, General R. S. Ripley, is at present on bad terms with my chief of staff and is not satisfied with my system and rule an excellent officer in the field could be of much use to you." - Pierre Gustave Toutant-Beauregard

Connections

Roswell was married at Charleston, December 22, 1852, to Alicia, daughter of John and Mary Burroughs Middleton and widow of William A. Sparks.

Father:

Christopher Ripley

Mother:

Julia Caulkins Ripley

Wife:

Alicia Burroughs

1824-1899

colleague:

Pierre Toutant-Beauregard

colleague:

Gideon Johnson Pillow

colleague:

Joseph Johnston

References

• Civil War High Commands
  2002
• Who Was Who in the Confederacy
  1989
• Generals in Gray: Lives of the Confederate Commanders
  2006
• Biographical Dictionary of the Confederacy
  1977