Walter P. Phelps Jr. (Oct 29, 1832–February 20, 1878) was an officer in the

Union Army During the American Civil War, the Union Army, also known as the Federal Army and the Northern Army, referring to the United States Army, was the land force that fought to preserve the Union (American Civil War), Union of the collective U.S. st ...

throughout the

American Civil War The American Civil War (April 12, 1861 – May 26, 1865; also known by other names) was a civil war in the United States. It was fought between the Union ("the North") and the Confederacy ("the South"), the latter formed by states th ...

, serving as commanding officer of the

Eastern Iron Brigade The Eastern Iron Brigade, also known as the Iron Brigade of the East and First Iron Brigade, was a brigade of infantry, that served in the Union Army's Army of the Potomac, during the American Civil War. For much of its service, it was designate ...

Biography

Phelps was born in on October 29, 1832

Hartford, Connecticut Hartford is the capital city of the U.S. state of Connecticut. It was the seat of Hartford County until Connecticut disbanded county government in 1960. It is the core city in the Greater Hartford metropolitan area. Census estimates since the ...

. He later moved to

Glens Falls Glens Falls is a city in Warren County, New York, United States and is the central city of the Glens Falls Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,700 at the 2010 census. The name was given by Colonel Johannes Glen, the falls refe ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

and worked as a lumber merchant. Phelps raised the 22nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment, which mustered in on June 6, 1861 for two-years service, and was appointed

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

of the regiment. Phelps later assumed command of the 1st Brigade, 1st Division,

I Corps I Corps, 1st Corps, or First Corps may refer to: France * 1st Army Corps (France) * I Cavalry Corps (Grande Armée), a cavalry unit of the Imperial French Army during the Napoleonic Wars * I Corps (Grande Armée), a unit of the Imperial French A ...

after General

John P. Hatch John Porter Hatch (January 9, 1822 – April 12, 1901) was a career United States, American soldier who served as general in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He received a Medal of Honor for gallantry in action at the September 1862 ...

was transferred. Colonel Phelps wrote: ''"In compliance with orders from General Hatch, I assumed command of his brigade Sunday, September 14,

862 __NOTOC__ Year 862 ( DCCCLXII) was a common year starting on Thursday (link will display the full calendar) of the Julian calendar. Events By place Europe * The Varangians (called Rus'), under the leadership of Rurik, a Viking chie ...

at 10 a.m. The column of General Hooker's corps was then moving through Frederick toward Middletown on the pike."'' He was then in command of the First Iron Brigade, which at this time it was known simply as the "Iron Brigade" because the "

Iron Brigade of the West The Iron Brigade, also known as The Black Hats, Black Hat Brigade, Iron Brigade of the West, and originally King's Wisconsin Brigade was an infantry brigade in the Union Army of the Potomac during the American Civil War. Although it fought enti ...

" had not gained its acclaim. At the

Battle of Antietam The Battle of Antietam (), or Battle of Sharpsburg particularly in the Southern United States, was a battle of the American Civil War fought on September 17, 1862, between Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee's Army of Northern Virginia and Union G ...

however the "Iron Brigade of the East" supported and rescued the other Iron Brigade. Phelps' brigade advanced through the cornfield early on the September 17 in close support of General

John Gibbon John Gibbon (April 20, 1827 – February 6, 1896) was a career United States Army officer who fought in the American Civil War and the Indian Wars. Early life Gibbon was born in the Holmesburg section of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the fourt ...

's Iron Brigade. The

14th Brooklyn The 14th Regiment New York State Militia (also called the 14th Brooklyn Chasseurs) was a volunteer militia regiment from the City of Brooklyn, New York (state), New York. It is primarily known for its service in the American Civil War from April ...

under his command helped the 6th Wisconsin Volunteers as a

Confederate Confederacy or confederate may refer to: States or communities * Confederate state or confederation, a union of sovereign groups or communities * Confederate States of America, a confederation of secessionist American states that existed between 1 ...

charge was about to push them back through the cornfield. Phelps' Brigade got the farthest during the action, the

being the only regiment to reach Dunkard Church and hold their waiting for reinforcements to arrive. When the war ended Phelps had been give a

brevet Brevet may refer to: Military * Brevet (military), higher rank that rewards merit or gallantry, but without higher pay * Brevet d'état-major, a military distinction in France and Belgium awarded to officers passing military staff college * Aircre ...

promotion to brigadier general on March 13, 1865 before mustering out of the volunteer army. He returned to Glens Falls and became a successful ironmanufacturer. Phelps died suddenly on February 28, 1878 - a Friday - in

Bennington, Vermont Bennington is a New England town, town in Bennington County, Vermont, Bennington County, Vermont, United States. It is one of two shire towns (county seats) of the county, the other being Manchester (town), Vermont, Manchester. As of the 2020 ...

. The Troy Times sayd of him:''"General Phelps was born in Hartford, Conn, in 1829, and went to Glens Falls soon after he had attained his majority, and engaged in the lumber business. At the breaking out of the war in 1861 he raised the 22d New York volunteers in this vicinity, and went out as colonel in command. He remained in the army until the conclusion of the civil conflict, retiring a brigadier general to which rank he was elevated for meritorious service on the field of battle. He distinguished himself repeatedly in action for bravery and soldiery conduct, and was in nearly all the battles in which the army of the Potomac was engaged. His health was injured during his army life, and for several months after his return home his life was despaired of. He recovered, however, and during the past ten or twelve years he has been successfully engaged in the iron business at Millerton, Dutchess County. General Phelps was a man widely known throughout the country by reason of his business connections, and was universally respected. He was a person of rare scholastic attainments, strong and enduring attachments and great firmness of purpose. He was particularly well known and beloved in this city and vicinity, and many friends will regret his sudden and unexpected demise."'' Col. Phelps was buried on

Green-Wood Cemetery Green-Wood Cemetery is a cemetery in the western portion of Brooklyn, New York City. The cemetery is located between South Slope/ Greenwood Heights, Park Slope, Windsor Terrace, Borough Park, Kensington, and Sunset Park, and lies several bl ...

Brooklyn Brooklyn () is a borough of New York City, coextensive with Kings County, in the U.S. state of New York. Kings County is the most populous county in the State of New York, and the second-most densely populated county in the United States, be ...

References

1832 births 1878 deaths Union Army colonels United States Army officers Eastern Iron Brigade People of New York (state) in the American Civil War

External links

* {{findagrave, 28032535

Biography

See also

References

External links