Edward Washburn Whitaker (June 15, 1841 – July 30, 1922) was a Union Army officer during the American Civil War.

He earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions at Reams Station, Virginia, on June 29, 1864 by riding through enemy lines to deliver dispatches to Major General George Meade, the commander of the Army of the Potomac.

At Appomattox as chief of staff to General George Armstrong Custer, he bore the flag of truce to the Confederate lines prior to a planned Union attack.

(Llewellyn Garrish Estes was younger, and Galusha Pennypacker was the youngest, promoted to brigadier general shortly before he turned 21.)

[2][3] While acting as an aide voluntarily carried dispatches from the commanding general to Gen. Meade, forcing his way with a single troop of Cavalry, through an Infantry division of the enemy in the most distinguished manner, though he lost half his escort in the desperate ride at Reams Station, Virginia on 29 June 1864.