Civil War Union Major General. Graduated from the USMA in 1841, and served in the Army Topographical Engineers Corps until the start of the Civil War. In this capacity he participated in the surveying of the US-Canadian Border, the establishment of railroad routes to California through the Arizona Territory, and the removal of major shipping obstacles in the Great Lakes. At the First Battle of Bull Run he was Union commander Irvin McDowell's chief topographical engineer. On April 14, 1862 he was promoted to Brigadier General, US Volunteers, and command first a brigade, then a division manning the defenses of Washington, DC. Just prior to the Fredericksburg Campaign he was detailed to the Army of the Potomac to command the III Corps' 3rd Division, which he led at the Battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. On May 4th at Chancellorsville, he was commanding his division in the severe fighting there when he was shot in the stomach by a Confederate sharpshooter (who had a perfect target, since General Whipple was sitting on his horse during the fighting). He was brought to Washington, DC, where he died 3 days later. General Whipple was posthumously promoted to Major General, US Volunteers, which was backdated to the day of his mortal wounding.
Civil War Union Major General. Graduated from the USMA in 1841, and served in the Army Topographical Engineers Corps until the start of the Civil War. In this capacity he participated in the surveying of the US-Canadian Border, the establishment of railroad routes to California through the Arizona Territory, and the removal of major shipping obstacles in the Great Lakes. At the First Battle of Bull Run he was Union commander Irvin McDowell's chief topographical engineer. On April 14, 1862 he was promoted to Brigadier General, US Volunteers, and command first a brigade, then a division manning the defenses of Washington, DC. Just prior to the Fredericksburg Campaign he was detailed to the Army of the Potomac to command the III Corps' 3rd Division, which he led at the Battles of Fredericksburg and Chancellorsville. On May 4th at Chancellorsville, he was commanding his division in the severe fighting there when he was shot in the stomach by a Confederate sharpshooter (who had a perfect target, since General Whipple was sitting on his horse during the fighting). He was brought to Washington, DC, where he died 3 days later. General Whipple was posthumously promoted to Major General, US Volunteers, which was backdated to the day of his mortal wounding.
Bio by: RPD2
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