Brigadier General Roswell Sabin Ripley, CSA

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 12, 2007

1. Brigadier General Roswell Sabin Ripley, CSA Marker

Inscription. Roswell S. Ripley was born in Worthington on March 14, 1823 and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1843. Serving with the U.S. Artillery from 1846 to 1848 during the Mexican-American War, Ripley was promoted twice for “Gallant and Meritorious Conduct.” In 1853, while stationed in South Carolina, Ripley resigned his commission in the U.S. Army, and after secession volunteered his services to the Confederacy. On April 12, 1861, Ripley’s artillery at Fort Moultrie bombarded Fort Sumter beginning 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 Antietam 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.

Erected 2004 by The Sons of Confederate Veterans, the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and The Ohio Historical Society. (Marker Number 81-25.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil. In addition,

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it is included in the Ohio Historical Society / The Ohio History Connection, the Sons of Confederate Veterans/United Confederate Veterans, and the United Daughters of the Confederacy series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1803.

Location. Marker has been permanently removed. It was located near 40° 5.175′ N, 83° 1.104′ W. Marker was in Worthington, Ohio, in Franklin County. It was in Old Worthington. It was on High Street (U.S. 23) south of New England Avenue, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 623 N High St, Columbus OH 43085, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Scioto Valley

and in the Columbus Metropolitan Area.

It was also in the American Midwest

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) Confederacy,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

and the Northwest Territory.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: Worthington Masonic Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); New England Lodge No. 4, F. & A. M. (within shouting distance of this marker); Doctor Longenecker Office Building (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Rectory (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct

Brigadier General Roswell Sabin Ripley, CSA image. Click for full size.

2. Brigadier General Roswell Sabin Ripley, CSA

Image embedded in marker.

line); James Kilbourne / Worthington Hotel (about 600 feet away); Lewis Noble House (about 700 feet away); Worthington Historic District (about 700 feet away); Their Perpetual Memorial (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Worthington.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. (Brig. Gen. R. S. Ripley's monument and grave marker)

Also see . . .
1. Roswell S. Ripley. Wikipedia entry (Submitted on July 3, 2022, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)

2. Brigadier General Roswell S. Ripley House and Historical Marker. Worthington Memory website entry (Submitted on August 13, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.)

3. Confederate general’s historic marker removed in Worthington. Columbus Dispatch website entry:
The historic marker outside the former home of a Confederate general in Worthington has been taken down in anticipation of protests. (Submitted on December 21, 2017, by Kevin W. of Stafford, Virginia.)

Additional commentary.
1. The Ripleys... A House Divided
As indicated on the marker, Roswell Sabin Ripley served in the Confederate Army in the Civil War. His uncle, James Wolfe Ripley, on

Ripley House, Worthington, Ohio image. Click for full size.

Photographed by J. J. Prats, August 12, 2007

3. Ripley House, Worthington, Ohio

the other hand served the Union army. In fact, While Roswell was known as the “Defender of Charleston, SC,” his older uncle had commanded Federal forces at Charleston during the Nullification Crisis of 1832-33 (which was nearly the outbreak of the Civil War some 30 years before the actual event). James Ripley, being too old for field duty, served most of the war as Chief of Ordnance, in charge of artillery and shell production. His insistence on the production of rifled cannon, any rifled cannon, in the early parts of the war ensured Federal forces had a decisive technological edge over their Southern counterparts by mid-war.

— Submitted August 13, 2007, by Craig Swain of Leesburg, Virginia.

Brig. Gen. R. S. Ripley monument and grave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Bill Coughlin, August 13, 2013

4. Brig. Gen. R. S. Ripley monument and grave

Magnolia Cemetery, North Charleston, South Carolina

Credits. This page was last revised on December 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 12, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 3,894 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 12, 2007, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. 4. submitted on August 22, 2013, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.