Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1916-11-12
COL. PHILLIPS WAS
A UNIQUE FIGURE
Was One of Most Notable
Figuers in Shaping Cher
okee Affairs.
FOUGHT IN WAR
Was Nersed in Writing and
His Stories Appeared
Throughout Nation.
Special to The World.

Special to The World.
TAHLEQuAH. Okla, NOV. Ii
one of the most notable men of An
giO-SaXon blood who in past days had
mucn to do with Cherokee national
affairs was Col. William A. Philips
OF Kansas. His was picturesque and
striking figure and often to be seen
or the strtets of Tahlequah and
about the capitol building during the
regular se.Sslon-of the national council
for a number OF years following the
close of the Civil war. For more
than a score of years he served as at
torney at the city OF Washington for
the CherCkces. Beyond any other
man of wnitc blood his knowledge of
Cherokee affairs, laws, ~stoms and
history was extensive ana profound.
lie was tail and powerful man, who
spoke with rather pronounced
Scotch--accent. lie always wore the
broad brimmed army hat of Civil war
times, and in winter time wore
heav! army overcoat with cape at
tached- HIS career in Kansas ana in
the Indian country was most inter-
Cstine.
William Addison Phillips was born
AT Paisley, Renfrewshire, Scotland,-in
1924. lie came to America when a
youth. the family settling in Ohio. but
when yet quite young man he made
his way to Kansas territory and soon
gained prominence during the stir
ring days Of the latter fiftiea when
the free state element and the pro-
slavery forces engaged in bitter war
fare and personal combats. AS editor
OF u free paper and as an attorney
III Hips was a man of note at the
beginning OF the Civil war.
Joined as Volunteer.
He joined the volunteer army and
received commission as colonel of
the 'SiAth Kansas cavalry, and after
Valorous and proficient service along
the borders came to the Indian ter
litory. After the battle of Pea Ridge,
Ark, when the First. Second and
Third Cherokee regiments were or
ganzed and equipped ne was given
the command of the Cherokee forces
ia addition to his own regiment. He
thus performed the duties of a brig
aie commander, but probably be-
cause of the far western scene of his
operations and because of the great
battles being fought near to the ma
tlonal capital at Washington, never
received higher rank than that of
colonel Colonel Phillips commanded
the Cherokee troops in some fierce
ana hotly-contested engagements.
Cnder the command of Gen. James
Blount. he, with his soldiers, was at
Prairie Grove. Ark, and 1t was at
this. battle that Il force of Cherokee
soldiers, rising from their ambush at
a critical moment broke the charg-
ing lines of Gen. Thomas Hindmans
cavalry. At Honey Springs. where is
now the town of Oktaha, "a few miles
south of Muskogee, the Cherokee reg
iments We're again led into action by
Colonel Phillips, who at the front of
the line displayed great bravery. At
this place the colonel came near
meeting his death. A musket ball
passed through the front of his coat
near the heart, but striking some
hard object was deflected.
After much service along the
northwestern borders of Arkansas
and in the territory of the Union
forces, five thousand strong,
marched through the Cherokee ma
tion and took charge of Fort Gibson,
which post was held until the end of
the war. This old post was strongly
fortified. earthworks and entrench-
ments made and cannon planted at
advantageous points. In the winter of
1864 Gen. Douglas ii. Cooper with
ten thousand Confederate soldiers ap-
peared on the prairies west of the
Arkansas river and marched toward
Fort Gibson. Reports came in that
the Confedcrates were crossing the
river and would attempt to take the
fort by storm. Immediately the
bugles sounded and the garrison was
called out The men with their
muskets sprang into the trenches, the
artilerymen got ready their guns, and
the officers stood in position, but
suddenly the oncoming force swerved
and marched away toward the south
and the expected battle of Fort Glib
son failed to materialize. At the con-
clusion of peace the Cherokee regi-
tents were mustered out at Fort Glib
son and received the commendation
of the department commander, Gen.
John NJ. Schofield, who was present.
Soon after this Colonel Phillips en-
tered upon his duties as counsel for
the Cherokees. He was close
personal friend of many of the lead
ers of the nation. some of whom had
served under his command. and upon
the occasions of his visits to Table
uuAh was received with great cour-
tesy and with hearty welcome, The
full-blood Cherokees gave him a
name in their own tongue by which
he was always known to them.
NOT only was Colonel Phillips an