Roswell S. Ripley was born in Worthington, Ohio on March 14, 1823. An 1843 graduate of the United States Military Academy, he served with the U.S. Artillery from 1846 to 1848 during the Mexican-American War, twice promoted for “Gallant and Meritorious Conduct.” Ripley resigned his commission in the U.S. Army in 1853 while stationed in South Carolina. After secession he volunteered his services to the Confederacy. On April 12, 1861, Ripley’s artillery at Ft. Moultrie bombarded Ft. Sumter in the opening salvos of the Civil War. Later, he commanded an infantry brigade in Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia until wounded in the throat at the battle of Sharpsburg in 1862. Returning to Charleston, Ripley successfully defended the harbor and city from attacks by Union forces. Described as “Charleston’s Gallant Defender,” he died on March 29, 1887 and was buried in Magnolia Cemetery in Charleston.  For more detailed biography, click here.

 

 

 

Ohio Confederate General Otho Strahl

Camp 1535 Historical Marker Project