Information send to us from Bob Whittaker. Thank you Bob

This is some of the information about Edward that was obtained from various sources including his military records.

Theresa Decker - Ashford Library and Barbara Metsack - Town Hall, Ashford, CT were instrumental in assembling this information.

Edward Washburn Whitaker was born on June 15, 1841 in Killingly, Connecticut. He was the son of George Whitaker and Mary (Colgrove) Whitaker. Edward was one of sixteen children (eight brothers and seven sisters). He was educated in the public schools in Ashford, CT and in an Academy in Olneyville, RI. Edward is a descendant of Richard Whitaker and Rebecca (Cooper) Whitaker of Rehoboth, MA Edward's great-grandfather was Lieutenant Richard Whitaker, an officer in the Revolutionary War.
Edward was one of four brothers who enlisted in Union Regiments in the Civil War. Edward and Daniel enlisted together in Connecticut or New York regiments, William in a New Hampshire regiment, and George enlisted in a California unit and served in New Mexico.
Edward fought in 82 engagements during the course of the war. He was slightly wounded at Falling Waters, MD. by shrapnel. While running at a gallop at Five Forks, VA., his horse fell on him, and caused him to have a life long groin and back injury.
Edward was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at Reams Station VA on June 29, 1864. At the age of 23 he was the youngest General in the War of the Rebellion.
Daniel Whitaker, 1st Lt., Co. B, 2nd New York Cavalry was killed in action at Aldie, Virginia on June 17, 1863. Edward was a 2nd Lt. in the same Company at the time of his brother Daniel's death.
In his HISTORY of the FIRST REGIMENT Connecticut Volunteer CAVALRY, Bvt. Brig Gen. Erastus Blakeslee writes of Edward Whitaker:
"Captain Whitaker of the First Connecticut Cavalry, on Wilson's staff, was dispatched to General Meade for succor. With forty men of the Third New York he dashed through the enemy's lines and reached headquarters with fourteen men and two prisoners. But it was too late. Wilson burnt his ammunition and baggage wagons, left his ambulances, spiked his guns and retreated in hot haste."
December 19th-22nd 1864 the regiment, temporarily under Major Whitaker, marched with the division 120 miles in four extremely cold days, gallant ly repulsed a fierce night attack in an ice covered bivouac at Lazy Springs, and returned to camp with fifty frost-bitten men; and on February 4th-5th, 1865, fifty picked men of the regiment with 250 others from the division, all under the same officer, then on Custer's
staff, marched over the Alleghenies to within four miles of Moorefield, 140 miles in forty-eight hours, half within the enemy's lines, and capturing the noted Harry Gilmore in bed, brought him back a prisoner."
"The enemy were strongly posted on a ridge with artillery. They must be dislodged. The First Connecticut and two other regiments were assigned to Lieutenant-Colonel Whitaker for this purpose. They were secretly put on the rebel left flank and dismounted in mud knee-deep. An ice storm prevailed and the shells crashed fearfully through the ice-covered trees. The flanking party, the First Connecticut, led by Major Goodwin, being on the right, charged with great enthusiasm; at the same time the division advanced; the enemy broke, and 1,303 prisoners, 150 wagons, eleven guns and eighteen battle flags were ours, won wholly by Custer's division..."
"On the 9th of April, 1865, Sheridan saw that the end was near. He had cut off the enemy's way of retreat and was just advancing to a grand final charge. A flag of truce appeared asking a cessation of hostilities. Under it Lieutenant-Colonel Whitaker of the First Connecticut, Custer's Chief of Staff, entered the rebel lines, and with General Longstreet (acting at Lee's request), made the negotiation which stopped the fighting. Soon after, the regiment itself was detailed to escort General Grant when he went to receive Lee's surrender."

During the Civil War, Edward and his brother Daniel had written 83 letters to their sister Adeline (Whitaker) James and their mother. The letters were donated to the Connecticut State Library on 9/4/1934 by Adeline James.
On June 7, 1865 Edward married Theodosia Davis in Washington, DC. They had at least three children; Clara b. 1866, Thea b. 1868 and Grace, b. 1870.

Four of Edward's sisters became teachers in the south after the Civil War.

After the war, Edward was appointed Superintendent of the US Capitol Building, and later (1869) Postmaster of Hartford, CT. (Appointed by President Grant). He was an insurance agent and a patent attorney in his later years, living in Washington, DC. He was disabled most of his life by a heart condition brought on by malaria contracted shortly after the Battle of Gettysburg. Edward died on July 30, 1922 and was buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife Theodosia who died on January 3, 1937 is buried with him.

Military Record of EDWARD W. WHITAKER

First Regiment Connecticut Infantry Volunteers
Enlisted at Hartford, CT Rifle Co. A 4/15/1861
Mustered in as Corporal 4/22/1861

Second Regiment New York Cavalry Volunteers
Mustered in as Sgt., Co. D 8/29/1861
Promoted to Sgt. Major 9/24/1862
Mustered in as 2nd. Lt. 11/16/1862
Appointed Captain 4/29/1864

First Regiment Connecticut Cavalry Volunteers
Mustered in as Captain, Co. E. 5/02/1864
Promoted to Major 6/29/1864
Appointed Lt. Colonel 1/11/1865
Breveted Brigadier General Vol. 3/13/1865
(Recommended by Generals Grant and Sheridan "for gallantry and skill displayed in turning the enemy's left flank at Waynesboro, March 2, 1865, and for gallantry and uniform good conduct at the
battle of Five Forks, April 1, 1865 and Appomattox Station, April 8, 1865, and throughout the entire campaign."

Congressional Medal of Honor Citation

Edward Washburn Whitaker

For most distinguished gallantry in action at Reams Station, Va., June 29, 1864 , this officer, then Captain, 1st Connecticut Volunteer Cavalry, in command of a troop, hearing of an expressed wish of the General in command to get information to General Meade through the line of the enemy, volunteered to carry the dispatches. In the most distinguished manner he forced his way through an infantry division of the enemy and delivered the dispatches to General Meade, but lost half his escort in the desperate ride.

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