Page:Confederate Military History - 1899 - Volume 3.djvu/1190

1112 preceded the great struggle, he received his education at Richmond. On May 13, 1861, he joined in the organization of the Henrico Guards and was made fourth sergeant. This band was mustered in as Company D of the Fifteenth Virginia infantry, and he was soon promoted second sergeant. On October 3, 1862, he was promoted second lieutenant of the company, and he served in this rank to the close of the war. The extent of his service in the Confederate army is well presented by a list of the engagements in which he took part from the Peninsular campaign to Appomattox. In this list are found the names of Savage Station, Frayser's Farm, Malvern Hill, Sharpsburg, Fredericksburg, Suffolk, Front Royal, Strawberry Plains, Bean's Station, Tenn., Bull's Gap, Plymouth, N. C., Little Washington, N. C., Kinston, N. C., New Bern, N. C., Drewry's Bluff on May 14 and 16, 1864, Second Cold Harbor, Howlett House on June 16, 1864, the fight on Ashcake road with Sheridan, Dinwiddie Court House on March 29, 30, 31, 1865, Five Forks and Sailor's Creek. His former commander. Col. E. M. Morrison, has written that among the subalterns of the Fifteenth cavalry, Lieutenant Phillips had no peer. "He was always in place, always reliable and cheerful under the most distressing circumstances. I remember seeing him in January, 1864, marching from Knoxville, Tenn., day after day, mile after mile, without shoes, just able to put the toe of one foot on the ground, but accepting the situation as a matter of course." At Drewry's bluff he returned from picket line to the works through the enemy's fire, and carried back ammunition for his comrades. It required what appeared to be a line of battle to drive in a skirmish line under his command, and his fidelity was such that his commanding officer always reposed in confidence upon the assurance that orders would be carried out with intelligence. Lieutenant Phillips surrendered at Richmond, April 18, 1865, and was at once paroled, and soon afterward engaged in business as a contractor at that city, in which, it is gratifying to note, he has been notably successful. His career in the Virginia militia began in April, 1871, when he was elected lieutenant of the Sydney Greys, which subsequently became Company D of the First regiment, when the latter was organized. He was then made captain of the company, and held that rank until his resignation about three years later. In 1881 he was elected first lieutenant of Company E, First Virginia regiment of infantry, was soon afterward promoted captain, and in 1888 became major of the regiment. March 27, 1890, he was elected lieutenant-colonel, and from this rank passed on February 9, 1895, to that of brigadier-general, commanding First brigade, Virginia volunteers, including command of all Virginia troops. Naturally adapted to military command, he is an ideal officer, and thoroughly popular with the troops. He maintains his connection with the old comrades of the army of Virginia by membership in both the George E. Pickett and R. E. Lee camps, in the latter holding the rank of past commander. He is also vice-president of the board of directors of the Confederate Soldiers' Home.

Edward Drew Phillips, M. D., a leading physician and prominent citizen of Suffolk, Va., who was connected with the medical service of the Confederate army during the war, was born in Nansemond county, July 14, 1830. His father, Nathaniel P.