Thomas Forest Betton Tapper

A first generation American, he had been a factory and farm laborer, carpenter, and just before the war, machinist and engineer. He helped raise troops at the start of the War, and was appointed Captain, Company G , 4th Reserves on 29 May 1861. He was wounded in action (30 June 1861) on the Peninsula Campaign, and fought at Second Bull Run. 1

After the battles at South Mountain and Antietam, he wrote the Regimental Reports as commanding officer - presumably because he was senior officer present at that time.

He continued with the regiment seeing action at Fredericksburg and Cloyd's Mountain. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 1 March 1863 and Colonel 10 May 1864. He mustered out of service with his Regiment in June 1864.1

A family geneologist believes he worked as engineer at the Philadelphia Post Office from at least 1856 to 1884.2

08/31/1823; Germantown, PA

02/02/1885; burial in Laurel Hill Cemetery, Philadelphia, PA