William Denison WHipple was born in Nelson, Madison County, New York August 2, 1826. He graduated at the United States military academy in 1851, and became 2d lieutenant in the 3d infantry on 9 September of that year. After six years of uneventful service in New Mexico, he participated in the Gila expedition against the Apaches in 1857, the Navajo expedition of 1858, and the defense of Fort Defiance, NM, in 1860. He became 1st lieutenant in December, 1856, and on the opening of the civil war was on quartermaster's duty at Indianola, Texas. After the capture of the United States property he escaped through the enemy's lines, was commissioned captain and assistant adjutant general, and in that capacity was present at the battle of Bull Run and at the headquarters of the Departments of Pennsylvania and Virginia, respectively to June 1862, when becoming lieutenant colonel and additional aide-de-camp, he was on duty in the Middle Department and 8th army corps, and as chief of staff to General Cadwallader. He was appointed brigadier general of volunteers on 17 July, 1863, and assigned as chief of staff to General George H. Thomas, being present during the operations near Chattanooga, the siege of Atlanta, the battles of Missionary Ridge, Resaca, Kenesaw Mountain, and Nashville and at the headquarters of the Department of the Cumberland in 1853-1855. He received the brevets of brigadier- and major general in the regular army on 13 March, 1865, for gallant service in the Atlanta campaign and battles before Nashville. After the war General Whipple served as assistant adjutant general at the headquarters of the principal military divisions, and in 1873-1881 as aide-de-camp to the general of the army. He was promoted colonel in the adjutant general's department, 28 February, 1887.
Photograph taken in 1865 & Oil Tinted by Margaret A. Rogers |
