2025 U.S. Van Tour: Alexander Wiper and the Battle of Gettysburg
Alexander Wiper In early June 2025, I toured Gettysburg Pennsylvania and the adjacent Civil War Battlefield. My Great Grandfather, Alexander Wiper, fought here as a member of 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 Censu...