The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-25

snin a. ne justly II e gahant and learned military COM
The Burlington Fres Press, edited bya couple Of Rserati
refers 70 tho proclamation in rather tame terms though
IN common with the press OF the State, views IL in
unfavorable light. Itremarks:-
Though not personally acquainted with Gen. Phelps,
nave IN common with all our fellow citizens, high
OPINION OF MN az brave, ndelagnble apd capable
mander. His praise has the public from Ill
Quarters and has been pleasant to hear it, But his
proclamation OF Dec A. addressed from his headquarters
ON Ship Island, ITO the loyal citizens the Southwest
we fear will rather damage than help him in the public
for n a ~ 70 we nave 40
as to what the Of the United States consttu
ton and the relative excellence OF free aud despoc
dions OF society There may be differences OF opinen
TO one or two or his propositionsat least he states
henbut as 10 the general spirit and scope Of the sent
ments expressed there likely any fault found
with by the great Of the people in this state
the Northern states generally. But what the promulga-
ton Of IL in this official way has TO do with his military
Duty or what the General could have expected to have
come Of 1t, is hard to make out.
SKETCH OF GENERAL. PHELPS.
Brigader General Phelps the apthor Of the proclama
ton OF December TO the loyal citizens Of the South
west, born In Guilford the oldest town in Vermont
and is between forty dve and fifty years Of age He gra
duated with distinguished honor the United States
Military Academy twenty-five years ago, and continued
in the army until late the year 1862 when resigned
Disguised with what he at that early day conceived 10 be
the nearious operations Of Secretary Floyd and retired
TO private life, in which the outbreak OF the war found
him. When the President OF the United states made his
first general requisi,on upon all the States for three
months troops General Phelps at offered his
vices, and he went TO the field early tho contest
Colonel Of the Second Vermont regiment Of three months
volunteers. After their Of had expired he
still continued at his post and subsequently made
Brigaiicr General OF volunteers. t
PERSONAL APPEARANcE OF GEN. PHELPS.
IN personal appearance General PHELPS 10 TALL well
formed, and OF martial air. In manner he is frank,
outsoken and both quick and decided the formation
and exprcsso Of his opinions upon all subjects His ut
terances accompanied by certain shrilncss oil
that Is 1T once commanding and striking.
AN ANECDoTE OF GEN. PHELPS.
There many current anecdotes OF General Phelps
Of which is given illustrative OF his diosyncra
sizes, and which will eeminently TO show the
| dniiaus of the man.
While stationed nj Newport News Colonel command
ing the pest and Acting Brgadier General he had
casion To gcnera order in regard bathing the
James river, prohibiting between the hours seven
the morning and eight in the evening" after issu
ing tho order General Phelps returning New
port News evening from Fortress Monroe he observ
ed private Of one OF the German regiments bathing
trary to law The General at rode up tho sen
nell and the following ensued the superior
| officer speaking IN very shrill tones
General P.-Scntinel, is your gun loaded?
| SKSINEI-(S auting)-Yes, SIR l have his clothes
| but cannot get the man.
General F., pointing to the man, said to the sentinel
Hail him, sentinel You know how load and fire your
| gun, don't your
l SEsTINBI.-Yes, sir. A.
General P.-Wel, sir, do you raise your gun and fire
the first time about eighteen inches his head and II
he don't answer your call time FIRE little nearer
and IL lie don't answer the third, do you fire kill him.
| The Teuton came from the water on the first fire.