Edward Hastings Ripley (November 11, 1839 – September 14, 1915) was a Vermont businessman and Union Army officer in the American Civil War.

He attained the rank of brevet brigadier general while commanding brigades in the XVIII and XXIV Corps, and led the first troops to enter Richmond after its surrender.

[3][4] Ripley left college near the end of his senior year to join the Army, enlisting as a private in the 9th Vermont Infantry in May 1862.

[6] He attained the rank of sergeant, and then was commissioned as a captain and appointed to command the regiment's Company B, which he led during action in the Shenandoah Valley Campaign in the summer of 1862, including the Siege of Suffolk, Virginia.

In August 1864 Ripley was promoted to brevet brigadier general and assigned to command 1st Brigade, 2nd Division, XVIII Corps, Army of the James.

[16][17] Ripley built the Holland House Hotel in New York City,[18][19] which was owned by members of his wife's Van Doren family,[20][21][22] and was responsible for the construction and operation of New Jersey’s Raritan River Railroad.

[28] The location of Ripley's farm is now the site of the Sugar & Spice restaurant and gift shop, a business which specializes in maple products.

[34][35] Edward Ripley spoke and wrote about his Civil War experiences, and his works included a speech which was subsequently printed in book form, The Capture and Occupation of Richmond, April 3, 1865 (1907).

[36] In addition, his diary was published in 1960 as Vermont General, The Unusual War Experiences of Edward Hastings Ripley, edited by Otto Eisenschiml.