Edward Washburn Whitaker (1841-1922)

Civil War Union Brevet Brigadier General, Medal of Honor Recipient. He was serving as a Captain in Company E, 1st Connecticut Volunreer Cavalry, at Reams Station, Virginia, on June 29, 1864, when he earned the CMOH. His citation reads "While acting as an aide voluntarily carried dispatches from the commanding general to General 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". The CMOH was awarded on April 2, 1898. He served as Brigadier General George Armstrong Custer's Chief of Staff reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. In this position he bore the flag of truce at Appomattox, met with Lieutenant General James Longstreet, and made the negotiations which stopped the fighting. He was brevetted Brigadier General and at age 23, became one of the youngest in the Civil War to hold the title of General. His brevet was recommended by Generals Ulysses S. Grant and William T. 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." He later was appointed Superintendent of the U.S. Capitol Building, and still later by President Grant, Postmaster of Hartford, Connecticut.

Bio by: Ugaalltheway