| If this website has been useful to you, please consider
making a Donation.
Your support will help keep this website free for everyone, and will allow us to do
more research. Thank you for your support! |
Civil War Soldiers - Phelps
| Phelps, John S., brigadier-general,
U.S. Army, was born in Simsbury, Conn., Dec. 22, 1814. He was
graduated at Trinity college, in 1832, practiced law in Cincinnati
until 1837, and then moved to Springfield, Mo., and was a member of
the Missouri legislature in 1840 and brigade inspector of militia in
1841. He was a Democratic representative in Congress from 1845 to
1861, being chairman of the ways and means committee in the 35th
Congress and one of the select committee of thirty-three on the
seceding states in the 36th Congress. He declined reelection to the
37th Congress, and on Oct. 2, 1861, became lieutenant-colonel of
Phelps' regiment of Mo. infantry, becoming colonel of the regiment on
Dec. 19. He was appointed brigadier-general of volunteers, July 19,
1862, and was military governor of Arkansas, 1862-63. He was a
delegate to the National Union convention at Philadelphia in 1866;
commissioner to settle the claims of Indiana, 1867 ; unsuccessful
Democratic candidate for governor of Missouri, 1868, and governor of
the state, 1876-82. He died in St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 20, 1886.
Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
|
| Phelps, John W., brigadier-general,
U.S. Army, was born in Guilford, Vt., Nov. 13, 1813. He was graduated
at the United States military academy in 1836 and served in the
Florida war, 1836-39, on the Canadian frontier during the border
disturbances, then at various forts, and in the Mexican war. In the
latter conflict he took part in the battles of Vera Cruz, Contreras
and Churubusco, and was brevetted captain for gallantry but declined,
and in 1850 was promoted to the full rank of captain. He resigned from
the service, Nov. 2, 1859, and took up his residence in Brattleboro,
Vt., where he wrote many articles against the aggression of the slave
power. When the Civil war broke out he became colonel of the 1st Vt.
infantry, May 9, 1861, and on May 17 he was commissioned brigadier-
general of volunteers. He took possession of and held Newport News for
the defense of Hampton Roads, from May to November, being engaged in
several skirmishes, and was then transferred to the Department of the
Gulf, where he took possesison of Ship island, Miss., and with
Commodore Farragut's fleet forced the opening of the lower Mississippi
in April and May, 1862. While in garrison in Camp Parapet, La., in
1862, he organized the first negro troops, but was ordered by the
government commander to cease such organization, and on that account
he resigned, Aug. 21, 1862. For his action in organizing the negroes
the Confederate government declared him an outlaw. When the negroes
were finally armed he declined a commission as major-general of
colored troops, and he spent the rest of his life in Brattleboro, Vt.
He was the candidate for the presidency of the United States on the
American ticket in 1880. He devoted his attention principally to
literary work, and was vice-president of the Vermont Historical
society, 1863-85, and of the Vermont Teachers' association, 1865-85.
He died in Guilford, Vt, Feb. 2, 1885.
Source: The Union Army: A History of Military Affairs in the Loyal
States 1861-1865, Volume 8 Biographical, 1908
|
|
Whats New
Bibliography
About Us |