Walter Phelps Walter Phelps Jr . ( Oct 29 , 1832 – February 20 , 1878 ) was an officer in the Union Army throughout the American Civil War , ending the war as commanding general of the First Iron Brigade . Phelps was born in Hartford Conn . , but later moved to Glen Falls New York . The date of his birthday was widely unknown because his records were believed to have been lost in a fire in his native home . But researchers recently found his records , diaries and an Obituary from his death detailing information on him . Civil War . Phelps was appointed Colonel of the 22nd New York Volunteer Infantry Regiment that mustered in on June 6 , 1861 for two - years service . Colonel Phelps later assumed command of the 1st Brigade , 1st Corps , 1st Division , after General Hatch was transferred out of the Brigade . Colonel Phelps wrote : " " In compliance with orders from General Hatch , I assumed command of his brigade Sunday , September 14 , [ 1862 ] at 10 a . m . The column of General Hooker ' s corps was then moving through Frederick toward Middletown on the pike . " " He was then in command of the First Iron Brigade but at this time it was known simply as the " Iron Brigade " because at this time the " Iron Brigade of the West " had not gained its acclaim . At the Battle of Antietam however the " Iron Brigade of the East " supported and rescued the " Iron Brigade of the West " . Phelps ' Iron Brigade advanced through the cornfield early on the 17th in close support of General John Gibbon ' s Iron Brigade . The 14th Brooklyn under his command helped the 6th Wisconsin Volunteers as a Confederate charge was about to push them back through the cornfield . Phelps ' Brigade got the farthest during the action , the 14th Brooklyn being the only regiment to reach Dunkard Church and hold their waiting for reinforcements to arrive . Death . General Walter Phelps , a veteran of the rebellion , died suddenly Friday . The Troy Times says of him : in 1829 , and went to Glens Falls soon after he had attained his majority , and engaged in the lumber business . At the breaking out of the war in 1861 he raised the 22d New York volun - teers in this vicinity , and went out as colonel in command . He remained in the army until the conclusion of the civil conflict , retiring a brigadier general to which rank he was elevat - ed for meritorious service on the field of battle . He distinguished himself repeatedly in action for bravery and soldiery conduct , and was in nearly all the battles in which the army of the Potomac was engaged . His health was injured during his army life , and for several months after his return home his life was despaired of . He recovered , however , and during the past ten or twelve years he has been successfully engaged in the iron business at Millerton , Dutchess County . General Phelps was a man widely known throughout the country by reason of his business connections , and was universally respected . He was a person of rare scholastic attainments , strong and enduring attachments and great firmness of purpose . He was particularly well known and beloved in this city and vicinity , and many friends will regret his sudden and unexpected demise . " Phelps died in Bennington , Vermont on February 28 , 1878 .