Eleazer Wheelock Ripley (1782-1839) , was a graduate of Dartmouth College, distinguished Brigadier General in the War of 1812, and a U. S. Representative from Louisiana from 1835 until 1839.
Ripley served under General Jacob Brown in the Niagara Peninsula campaign of 1814. Two of his notable brave performances were at Lundy's Lane and at the siege of Fort Erie.
Ripley, originally from Massachusetts, founded the 21st United States Infantry Regiment in August 1812. The Regiment was comprised primarily of members from Massachusetts and Maine. The 21st U.S. took part in many battles during the war, notably, York, Sacketts Harbour, Crysler's Farm, Chippewa, and Lundy's Lane, where they captured and held the British guns until the American withdrawal, and Fort Erie, including all 4 sorties to alleviate the British siege. However, during the battle at Lundy's Lane he was blamed by Jacob Brown for losing the guns during the withdrawal and later demanded a court martial to clear his name. Ripley only commanded the regiment briefly until early 1813 when he was named Brigadier General when Lt. Col. James Miller, late of the 4th US Regiment was named commander. Ripley was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal, the precursor to the Medal of Honor for his wartime skill on the battlefield. Ripley left the army in 1820 to enter his career in politics. Ripley was the subject of a United States Supreme Court decision U.S. v Ripley which was decided in 1833. As a result of this decision, Ripley owed the United States a sum of money that Ripley had expended while serving as a Major General by breveat. The building involved in the lawsuit is the oldest building in Uptown New Orleans
His efforts during the war were recognized through the renaming of Staunton, Ohio. The village is now called Ripley, Ohio in his honor. Ripley County, Indiana, Ripley County, Missouri and Ripley, New York are also named after him.
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Last updated on Tuesday July 29, 2008 at 05:58:18 PDT (GMT -0700)
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