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 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.
Time Period Covered: April 26, 1861 - March 13, 1884
Parent Collections
Published: March 04, 2011, University of Vermont, Bailey/Howe Library, Center for Digital Initiatives
Rights: Requests to reproduce this item should be sent to the UVM Libraries' Center for Digital Initiatives at cdi@uvm.edu. For more information, see http://cdi.uvm.edu/about/rights. More information.
Browse Options
Creator(s)
- Holbrook, Frederick [10]
- Fairbanks, Erastus [3]
- Holbrook, W. C. [3]
- Morrill, Justin S. [2]
- Andross, Dudley K. [1]
- Baxter, Horace Henry [1]
- Boynton, William H. [1]
- Browne, A. G. [1]
- Bush, Joseph [1]
- Cannon, Le Grand B. [1]
- Clark, Lawrence D. [1]
- Dutton, Salmon [1]
- Halsey, Thomas H. [1]
- Hayward, Eben S. [1]
- Hunt, Leavitt [1]
- Jackman, A. [1]
- Morse, E. A. [1]
- Peck, David B. [1]
- Pelton, William W. [1]
- Perkins, Hiram E. [1]
- Ripley, Wm. Y. W. [1]
- Seaton, C. W. [1]
- Tuttle, Oscar S. [1]
- Tyler, Jonathan Curtis [1]
- Worthen, Harry N. [1]
- [Lamuay] [1]
Recipient(s)
- Phelps, John Wolcott [31]
- Holbrook, F. F. [1]
Place(s)
- Military camps -- Virginia [5]
- Vermont -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [5]
- Fort Monroe (Va.) [2]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [2]
- New Orleans (La.) -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Medical care [1]
- United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Prisoners and prisons [1]
Format(s)
- text [32]
Genre(s)
- correspondence [32]
Topic(s)
- Armed Forces Officers [21]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 7th (1862-1866) [6]
- United StatesArmy.Vermont Infantry Regiment, 8th (1861-1865) [6]
- Recruiting and enlistment [5]
- Operational rations (Military supplies) [4]
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Title: A. Jackman to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Jackman, A.
Date: 1861-05-01
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include ensuring that Colonel Phelps' command have books such as "Scott's Tactics".
![Thumbnail: A. [G.] Browne to John Wolcott Phelps](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmphelps18_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: A. [G.] Browne to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Browne, A. G.
Date: 1861-10-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Lt. Col. A. G. Browne requesting Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' assistance in forwarding letters to Lieutenant Charles L. Pierson, Adjutant of the Massachusetts 20th Regiment who was taken prisoner along with Colonel Lee and Major Revere. Mentions Col. Lee and Major Revere, the battle of the 21st near Leesburg and flags of truce.
Title: E. A. Morse to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Morse, E. A.
Date: 1861-08-22
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include rations for the 1st Regiment of the Vermont Volunteer Militia for May 23rd to August 8th, processing routine, the offering of the position of Quartermaster in the 4th Vermont Regiment, writer's decline of the position.
Title: Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus
Date: 1861-07-29
Resource type: correspondence
Letter from Vt. House Rep. Erastus Fairbanks writing about the storage of military equipment that has not otherwise been disposed of at Fort Monroe, Va., mentions loss of supplies by the 2nd Regiment at Manassas.
Title: Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus
Date: 1862-09-23
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the conduct of the 7th Vermont Regiment and the lack of newspaper coverage of the Regiment's positive attributes. The battles in Maryland would include Antietam Creek, one of the bloodiest battles of the war. Fairbanks also mentions a rumor of Phelps's resignation, which had indeed occurred in August, 1862. Some thoughts about slavery, government, and the Constitution.
![Thumbnail: Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps and [Daniel] Roberts to
Erastus Fairbanks](http://cdi.uvm.edu/archives/civilwar/cwuvmphelps07_1-thumb.jpg)
Title: Erastus Fairbanks to John Wolcott Phelps and [Daniel] Roberts to Erastus Fairbanks
Creator: Fairbanks, Erastus
Date: 1861-06-04
Resource type: correspondence
First letter is from Governor Erastus Fairbanks writing from St Johnsbury, Vt. Topic includes scandalous reports of officers in the 1st Regiment regarding the neglect of sick soldiers by the surgeon and assistant surgeon in military hospital. Second letter to the Gov. from Danl. Roberts writes of the sources of the reports and that the matter requires investigation.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-08-08
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Mrs. Holbrook requesting General Phelps to forward her letters to her son and Frederick Holbrook inquiring after the sick men and the number of surgeons. Holbrook expresses frustration that the Vt. Regiments (7th & 8th) are still not under Phelps's command, per an agreement with Gen. Butler. Holbrook also mentions Phelps's "Dark Brigade," black troops that Phelps recruited in Louisiana without permission from the War Dept. (Phelps resigned in Aug., 1862.)
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1861-08-27
Resource type: correspondence
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 to Phelps.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1861-11-18
Resource type: correspondence
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 disappointment of General Baxter not being elected Adjutant General. Col. Washburn got the post.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-03-10
Resource type: correspondence
Upbeat letter delivered to Gen. Phelps by the writer's son, William C. Holbrook, who apparently turned down an offer to join Phelps's staff. The writer, Gov. Holbrook, lavishes praise on Vermont officers and soldiers (including his son), and sends warm wishes for success to Phelps, sharing his conviction that "the Union Cause must triumph." Holbrook concludes with some reflections on the difficulty of being a wartime governor.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-05-02
Resource type: correspondence
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 Vermont soldiers wounded. Holbrook is in charge of the U.S. Marine Hospital in Burlington, Vt.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-07-27
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include the President calling for 300,000 additional troops, the wish that the National Government will develop a decisive policy to "proclaim war to the knife," and a description of Frederick Holbrook's son Major Will. Holbrook continues to express his admiration for Phelps and offer him greater forces to command.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1861-08-10
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Frederick Holbrook requesting that his son William be under General John Wolcott Phelps' command in the position of Aid, Secretary or of some type of assistant.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1862-03-06
Resource type: correspondence
In his letter to General Phelps, Frederick Holbrook, Governor of Vermont (1861-1863), expresses his admiration for several Union officers from Vermont and his pride in the 8th Vt. Regiment. He informs the general that two infantry regiments and two artillery companies are ready to serve. (This is about one month before the Union attack on New Orleans, launched in part from Ship Island, just off the coast of Mississippi.) Holbrook explains that they would have been sent a month earlier "had Government been ready with funds." He looks forward to seeing Phelps again after the war.
Title: Frederick Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, Frederick
Date: 1861-11-29
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include Brig. Gen. John Wolcott Phelps' commanding Butler's New England Division and inviting Frederick Holbrook's son William to be his Aid-de-Camp. Mention of 7th Vermont Regiment (the old 1st reorganized) also being attached to Butler, of Lt. Roberts being given Colonelcy of the 7th, of Major Kimball of the New Jersey 9th for Lt. Col. of the 8th Regiment, reference to Thanksgiving Proclamation.
Title: Horace Henry Baxter to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Baxter, Horace Henry
Date: 1861-05-31
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include potentially offering Colonel Phelps command of a three year regiment and inquiring how many horses are needed for his Regiment.
Title: Jonathan Curtis Tyler to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Tyler, Jonathan Curtis
Date: 1861-06-13
Resource type: correspondence
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.
Title: Justin S. Morrill to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Morrill, Justin S.
Date: 1861-07-20
Resource type: correspondence
Vermont Representative Justin S. Morrill writes about anticipated visit of Mr. Tewksbury of Boston, Mass. to military camp in Newport News, Virginia.
Title: Justin S. Morrill to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Morrill, Justin S.
Date: 1861-07-31
Resource type: correspondence
House Representative Justin S. Morrill writes from Washington about Col. John Wolcott Phelps (at Fort Monroe, Va.) receiving an appointment.
Title: Leavitt Hunt to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Hunt, Leavitt
Date: 1861-10-05
Resource type: correspondence
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 river. Written from the Willard Hotel, Washington, D.C.
Title: Letter to John Wolcott Phelps
Date: 1862-08-10
Resource type: correspondence
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 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.
Title: Salmon Dutton to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Dutton, Salmon
Date: 1861-09-07
Resource type: correspondence
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.
Title: Thomas H. Halsey to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Halsey, Thomas H.
Date: 1861-09-05
Resource type: correspondence
Topics include John Wolcott Phelps' pay as Colonel for the 1st Vermont Volunteers and as Brigadier General once he accepts the position.
Title: W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, W. C.
Date: 1861-11-25
Resource type: correspondence
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.
Title: W. C. Holbrook to John Wolcott Phelps
Creator: Holbrook, W. C.
Date: 1861-11-25
Resource type: correspondence
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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