John Wolcott Phelps Correspondence
Collection Overview
John Wolcott Phelps was born in Guilford, Vermont and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1836. On May 2, 1861, Phelps was appointed Colonel of the 1st Vermont Infantry and was mustered into U.S. service on May 8. He was promoted...
Show moreJohn Wolcott Phelps was born in Guilford, Vermont and graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1836. On May 2, 1861, Phelps was appointed Colonel of the 1st Vermont Infantry and was mustered into U.S. service on May 8. He was promoted to brigadier general on May 27, 1861. General Phelps was stationed at Camp Parapet in Carrollton, seven miles from New Orleans. Many fugitive slaves arrived at the camp seeking refuge. Phelps sought to create three regiments of black soldiers, but his commanding officer, General Butler, ordered that they be made laborers. Unwilling to employ the Africans as mere laborers, General Phelps offered his resignation on August 21, 1862. General Butler refused to accept it. Later that August, General Phelps returned his commission to President Abraham Lincoln. Phelps went on to become the candidate for the American Party/Anti-Masonic Party for president in 1880. The collection includes 17 letters from family friend Gov. Frederick Holbrook and his son William C. Holbrook, major and later colonel of the 7th Vermont. Gov. Holbrook wrote about the recruitment of the 7th Vermont, the appointments of Colonel George T. Roberts, William Holbrook, and other officers, the character of Vermont soldiers, and his attempts to influence federal war policy. Both of the Holbrooks corresponded with Phelps about General Butler's censure of the 7th Vermont after the battle of Baton Rouge. Gov. Erastus Fairbanks wrote on similar topics, and about allegations of misconduct by surgeons in the 1st Vermont. Other correspondents include Senators Justin S. Morrill and George F. Edmunds, Congressman Frederick E. Woodbridge, and Capt. E.V.N. Hitchcock on the condition of the 7th Vermont at Santa Rosa Island in March 1863, Major Harry N. Worthen concerning sick soldiers of the 1st Vermont at Fort Monroe, and Capt. Charles W. Seaton of the 1st U.S. Sharpshooters, concerning the promotion of William Ripley to Lieutenant Colonel of that regiment.
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(21 - 36 of 36)
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- Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include John Wolcott Phelps being promoted to Brigadier General by President Lincoln and the Senate, as well as a state election (held first Tuesday in September) for which Frederick Holbrook is running for governor. Holbrook mentions again his desire to have his son, William, be attached...
Show moreTopics include John Wolcott Phelps being promoted to Brigadier General by President Lincoln and the Senate, as well as a state election (held first Tuesday in September) for which Frederick Holbrook is running for governor. Holbrook mentions again his desire to have his son, William, be attached to Phelps.
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- Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include organizing Companies or Batteries of Light Artillery for General B. F. Butler's "New England Division". Holbrook again writes of his desire to have his son, William, be attached to Phelps. Also writes of making Lt. Roberts of Rutland a Colonel of the 7th Regiment, of his...
Show moreTopics include organizing Companies or Batteries of Light Artillery for General B. F. Butler's "New England Division". Holbrook again writes of his desire to have his son, William, be attached to Phelps. Also writes of making Lt. Roberts of Rutland a Colonel of the 7th Regiment, of his disappointment of General Baxter not being elected Adjutant General. Col. Washburn got the post.
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- Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include the arrival of the 7th and 8th Vermont Regiments at Ship Island, off the coast of Miss., and arrangements with the War Department for wounded troops to be sent home. Holbrook mentions the Battle of Yorktown (April 5-May 4, 1862), esp. the "affair" on April 16 that left ca. 100...
Show moreTopics include the arrival of the 7th and 8th Vermont Regiments at Ship Island, off the coast of Miss., and arrangements with the War Department for wounded troops to be sent home. Holbrook mentions the Battle of Yorktown (April 5-May 4, 1862), esp. the "affair" on April 16 that left ca. 100 Vermont soldiers wounded. Holbrook is in charge of the U.S. Marine Hospital in Burlington, Vt.
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- Horace Henry Baxter to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include potentially offering Colonel Phelps command of a three year regiment and inquiring how many horses are needed for his Regiment.
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- Jonathan Curtis Tyler to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include Jonathan Curtis Tyler, a soon to be Yale graduate, appealing to Col. John Wolcott Phelps for a chance to serve his country in one of the four Vermont regiments that were currently recruiting.
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- Justin S. Morrill to John Wolcott Phelps
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Vermont Representative Justin S. Morrill writes about anticipated visit of Mr. Tewksbury of Boston, Mass. to military camp in Newport News, Virginia.
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- Justin S. Morrill to John Wolcott Phelps
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House Representative Justin S. Morrill writes from Washington about Col. John Wolcott Phelps (at Fort Monroe, Va.) receiving an appointment.
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- Leavitt Hunt to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include Mr. Cutts of Brattleboro and Leavitt Hunt asking Gen. John Wolcott Phelps to write a recommendation for a friend who was hoping to receive a Colonelcy position so as to raise a regiment in Vermont. Writer mentions the Army in the Potomac with 80,000 men on the other side of the...
Show moreTopics include Mr. Cutts of Brattleboro and Leavitt Hunt asking Gen. John Wolcott Phelps to write a recommendation for a friend who was hoping to receive a Colonelcy position so as to raise a regiment in Vermont. Writer mentions the Army in the Potomac with 80,000 men on the other side of the river. Written from the Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C.
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- Title
- Letter to John Wolcott Phelps
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Holbrook waxes eloquent in his call for a "'Great Awakening' at Washington" and a greater awareness of how "our present severe training" will make the nation stronger; but the federal government needs to take the war seriously in order to have victory. Accordingly, Holbrook supports Lincoln's...
Show moreHolbrook waxes eloquent in his call for a "'Great Awakening' at Washington" and a greater awareness of how "our present severe training" will make the nation stronger; but the federal government needs to take the war seriously in order to have victory. Accordingly, Holbrook supports Lincoln's call for 300,000 additional troops, but suggests that a million men in arms would bring success. Intuits correctly that Phelps's "Dark Brigade" (black troops) would not be allowed to bear arms.
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- Salmon Dutton to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include Salmon Dutton requesting the position of Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' "Aides de Camp". Dutton outlines at length his military experience and with whom he has served. Mentions General William F. Smith, Col. Barker, Captain Tuttle, Major General McClellan, General King.
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- Thomas H. Halsey to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include John Wolcott Phelps' pay as Colonel for the 1st Vermont Volunteers and as Brigadier General once he accepts the position.
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- Unidentified telegraph
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- W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include investigation of the 7th Vermont Regiment's role in the Battle of Baton Rouge, and the suggestion to bring charges against General Butler. The writer, Col. Holbrook, apologizes for not representing the regiment as well as he could have, were he more experienced in the Courts of...
Show moreTopics include investigation of the 7th Vermont Regiment's role in the Battle of Baton Rouge, and the suggestion to bring charges against General Butler. The writer, Col. Holbrook, apologizes for not representing the regiment as well as he could have, were he more experienced in the Courts of Inquiry. Holbrook mentions "a good deal of marching and counter marching" in the Baton Rouge area.
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- W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include Lt. Adjt. W. C. Holbrook of the 4th Vermont Regiment requesting from Captain Mundee an order to report to Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps at Old Point, Virginia as Aid de Camp.
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- W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include the Command General denying Lt. Adjt. W. C. Holbrook's request and W. C. Holbrook asking Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps to order W. C. Holbrook to report to him.
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- W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
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Topics include Lt. W. C. Holbrook of the 4th Vermont Regiment planning to meet Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps at Old Point but must wait for orders from Gen. McClellan first.