Alexander Wiper
In early June 2025, I toured Gettysburg Pennsylvania and its Civil War Battlefield. My Great Grandfather, Alexander Wiper, fought here in the 2nd U.S. Cavalry Regiment. The purpose of my visit was two fold. First, I wanted to more completely understand the clash between the Union Army, commanded by General George Meade, and the Confederate Forces, commanded by General Robert E. Lee. Second, I wanted to learn more about my Great Grandfather's Gettysburg experience.
Alexander Wiper had immigrated from Scotland to the United States 5 years prior to joining Company I of the 63rd Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, at the age of 16, on August 19th, 1861.
From Civil War Soldier Data Base
I don't know what motivated him to enlisted. Perhaps he needed a a steady paycheck and he felt being a soldier was a better adventure than being a coal miner. He did not have a formal education as recorded in the US Census of 1870.
The 63rd deployed to the James River peninsula in 1862 and engage in actions around Yorktown and Williamsburg. On June 21st, they fought a major action near Charles City cross roads and won the praise of 1st Division's General Kearny for their bravery, determination and skill. July 1st saw them playing a "reserve" role in the battle of Malvern Hill.
On the 29th of August, the regiment arrived at the second Battle of Bull Run. Here they were mauled quite badly in a direct assault on a fortified position. Alexander was wounded on August 29th and spent the next 4 months recovering from his wounds. Upon his recovery he was transferred to the 2nd U.S, Cavalry on January 6th, 1863.
Duty with the 2nd U.S. Cavalry must have been exciting and certainly never dull. Their primary role was in reconnaissance, screening, and skirmishing operations to protect Union movements and gather intelligence on Confederate positions.
Alexander Wiper's Enlistment and Discharge from the 2nd U.S. Cavalry
In early 1863, the regiment participated in reconnaissance missions and skirmishes in Tennessee, including operations against Confederate cavalry forces. In mid-1863 they played a role in the Middle Tennessee Campaign
, engaging in battles such as Shelbyville and Guy’s Gap, leading up to Gettysburg.
Alexander arrived at Gettysburg a seasoned horse soldier. As a Sergeant, he was likely in a leadership position over a group of 9-10 soldiers called a "section" or a "squad".
The 2nd U.S. Cavalry was an element in the Reserve Brigade led by Brigadier General Wesley Merritt. This brigade was in turn part of Brigadier General John Bufford's 1st Division of Union Cavalry.
Action began on June 30th 1863 when advanced elements of the each army made initial contact. From June 30th till July 3rd, the 2nd U.S. Cavalry was screening and protecting the logistical train of General Meade's army to insure troops on the front lines received all the beans, beef, bullets, cannon balls, and gun powder they required to sustain operations. This was vitally important as the Confederates logistics were in sad shape from the brutally effective Union blockade of their ports. More than a quarter of the Confederate soldiers that marched to Gettysburg, did so bare footed.
On July 3rd, the final day of battle at Gettysburg, the 2nd U.S. Cavalry was called upon to attack the right flank of the Confederate line. This action occurred shortly after the Union forces had repulsed Pickett's charge. The terrain and weather did not favor a mounted attack. It was not decisive, but it did disrupt the Confederate forces. The next day, July 4th, General Lee began his retreat across the Potomac River.
Alexander Wiper mustered out of the Union Army on August 19th, 1864 with the rank of Sergeant. This is a positive indication that his skills as a soldier and a cavalryman were valued by his superiors. Following his service he moved to Washington county in Ohio and turned to farming and developing a small coal mine on his property.
In 1913, 50 years after the Battle of Gettysburg, veterans were invited to attend a reunion of combatants, at the Governments expense. Alexander did attend. He lived to be 67 years old and died in Macksburg Ohio on November 5th 1922.
A monument to the 2nd United States Cavalry Regiment was placed on the South Cavalry Field, south of Gettysburg along Emmitsburg Road. There are also two position markers nearby.
The inscription reads:
Army of the Potomac
Cavalry Corps
Reserve Brigade First Division
Second U.S. Cavalry
Captain Theo. F. Rodenbough commanding
Detachment at Headquarters, Army of the Potomac.
July 3. Moved with the Brigade at 12 m. under Brig. General W. Merritt from Emmitsburg and attacked the Confederate right and rear and was engaged for four hours until the action was brought to a close by a heavy rain.
Casualties: killed 3 men wounded 1 officer and 6 men
missing 1 officer and 8 men.
References
1870 Census Document Listing Alexander Wiper and his family
This is amazing!! Thank you so much for writing!! I’m a horse trainer and I’ve always wondered how it got in my blood—I do 3 day eventing which is how the army used to train the cavalry. I had no idea my great great grandfather was a horseman in the origins of my sport. This soothes my soul in ways you can’t fathom!! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteI am curious about his brothers—didn’t all of them enlist? What are their stories?