griffing@fnal.gov

The Civil War Letters of William Beynon Phillips

Prologue    1862    1863    1864    Epilogue    Roster




 











A summary of the 1863 letters in the collection

Date From To

Contents
1/4/1863 Wm Phillips Margaret Richards Christmas and New Year's at Fort Lincoln, religious services, hopes for a move upon Richmond in the spring, Colonel Augustus A. Gibson, sickness in camp, death of James Gilbert.
3/8/1863 Wm Phillips Margaret Richards Sightseeing in Washington D.C. with Mr. Richards, contempt for copperheads back in Pennsylvania, predicts Emancipation Proclamation will turn the tide of war, rumors of a move upon Richmond, answers questions from mother in Wales, characterizes the boys of Schooley's Battery, friend William Davis recovers from illness.
5/6/1863 Wm Phillips Annie Richards Sickness at home in Pennsylvania, early reports from the Battle of Chancellorsville, attends Secesh church, furloughs canceled.
5/20/1863 Wm Phillips Annie Richards Says Wales is no longer his home, expresses love for his adopted country, celebration of victory at Battle of Chancellorsville was premature, strengthening fortifications about Washington, describes view about Washington from Fort Lincoln, starvation in the South.
6/5/1863 Wm Davis Margaret Richards The "Railroad Guards" return home to Scranton, William Phillips gets job in Adjutant's office, Fort Lincoln readies itself for attack, news from Vicksburg.
6/25/1863 Wm Phillips Annie Richards Working as clerk in Adjutant's office, Colonel Gibson, hears cannon firing from the skirmish at Upperville, Virginia, confederate spy. 
8/7/1863 Wm Phillips Annie Richards Changes location to Fort Bunker, describes easy life as clerk rather than soldier, laments that unit has not been actively engaged in battle, rumors of move south to Charleston, SC.
9/1/1863 Wm Davis Margaret Richards Rev. Father Thomas P. Hunt joins the unit, describes change in behavior of Colonel Augustus A. Gibson.
10/3/1863 Wm Phillips Margaret Richards Describes life as clerk, laments joining unit due to lack of active service, mentions promotion potential, decides against taking officer's position in charge of Colored troops, canceled furloughs, elections at home. 
10/10/1863 Wm Phillips Annie Richards Mentions promotion opportunities, attends Rock Creek Church, hopes for furlough. 
11/5/1863 Wm Davis Thomas Richards Returns to duty from sick call, proposes scheme for William Phillips to get a furlough that requires Mr. Richards to write a letter saying fictitious uncle is dying.
11/20/1863 Wm Davis Thomas Richards Farcical letter written in military jargon declaring success in scheme to obtain a furlough for William Phillips. 
12/1/1863 Wm Phillips Annie Richards Returns to Fort Lincoln following 10 day furlough, Annie attends school in Kingston, rumors of move to Richmond, Goddess of Liberty raised on Capitol dome. 

 

 


griffing@fnal.gov