The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1863-12-16


TON in organizing and equipping The 3
months men, and afterwards paid those
of them in service in Western Virginia
His first commission in tho army was
that OF Lieutenant Colonel Of the 3Stb,
Regiment. and dated june lob, 1861,
and on the resignation of Col. Bradley,
be WAS promoted TO the command of the
regiment, March 9Th, 1862. At the time
Of his death he was in commsnd of the
Sd Brigade, 81 Division, 18th Army
Corps. His regiment took part in all the
movements of the Army Of the Gambler
land under Gen. Buell., Rosecrans, Thorn
sc and Grant. Although not actively
engaged in many battles its service was
smoDg the most severe aud its standing
highly honorable. At Wild Cat it ar
rived ct the close Of the battle and pur-
sued the enemy TO Lou10n. Il was
unable to reach Mill Spring until the
fighting was ever it totk part Ia the
siege OF COIinth. and pursued the
/ enemy to BoonVil'e' rad acted in
reserve at Stone River. II bore an
honorable part in the severe engagement
of Uhickamsuga, having charge of ord
nance and supply trains, bringing them
safely off The 90 composed part of
the gallant force that s.ormed and cap
tured Mission Ridge on Wednesday, the
18th Nov, which closed the series of
brilliant victories which will make
Chattanooga memorable in our national
history and give the thousands of gallant
men who achieved them a strong hold on
the admiration of the world and graft
tude of every true American.
Col. PHELPS had been quite unwell
before the battle-so much SO, indeed.
that on the night preceding his death he
called in two Surgeons fo- consultation.
But when the order was given for
the grand advance on the rebel strong
hold, he could not think of remaining
behind, and moved as usual at the head
of his command. When the order came
to charge up the Ridge, he found himself
too weak 10 climb the hill and beiAg I'M
able, owing to the steepness of the ascent,
to ride his horse, he was borne along by
four of ibis men. Thus he continued
with his Brigade in that daring assault,
until the summit was attained. and
while organizing bis men to be prepared
for any attempt of the enemy to retake
the important position thus gaIlautly
grasped from them, he was shot by .
sharpshooter, concealed only 10 or 20
rods from him, the ball entering his
breast and killing him instantly.
The deceased, from his boyhoOd, took
deep interest in military matters, hav-
ing in his youth acted as Lieutenant and
Captain in the New York Volunteer Mil.
itis. Before he was Fl years old, and
during the Mexican War, he enlisted a
company and started to join the Federal
army in Mexico, but peace was declared
before he reached the field. As law
yer, be was the very industrious, ener-
getic and persevering, qualities which
he carried into his military service. A
strict disciplinarian, he carried out every
order to the letter. II ew4s particularly
neat in his own person and dress. and
was careful to see that attention was
given to the same objects by his men,
especially about their camps and quar-
ters. The sanitary condition and wants
of his command were always prominent
10 his thoughts, and he was renowned
for bis kindness and care of The sick and
disabled. He was strictly temperate in
his habits, never using intoxicating LOU.
Ors tobacco in any form.
Thus passes away another of the true
men-the jewels of the naiion-whose
lives are required as sacrifices to the mad
ambition of the reckless traitors. Few,
if any, in that long list, will leave re-
cords more honorable or memories more
rich in all that makes up the true patriot
than Colonel EDWARD HERRIcK PHELPS.
Chief among the mourners on this
occasion, is her who, like Thousands of
other Americans wifes, has offered up
the dearest earthly treasure that woman
could yield for her couatry's good. All
that cherished memory and sympathiz
ing friends can bestow are now hers.
These, with the spirit Oftrue patriotism
which led her departed one to lay his
life on his country's altar, will greatly
tighten the great burthen so suddenly