USA > Michigan > American Biographical History of Eminent and Self-made Men.: Michigan Volume > Part 25
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morning of July 1, he was struck by a partially spent | through the actions at Auburn Heights, Kelly's Ford, cannon-ball, which fractured his collar-bone and broke his jaw. He was left on the battle-field for dead, cap- tured by the enemy, and taken to Richmond, where he was kept prisoner for eighteen days, and then exchanged and taken to the hospital at Baltimore. After ten weeks spent in the hospital, he was so far recovered as to be able to return to duty. His friends had procured a de- tail for him on the recruiting service; but he refused to listen to any proposition which would take him away from his command and active field duty. On the 13th of December, he was in the battle of Fredericksburg. remaining on the battle-field until the 16th. His com- pany and regiment suffered severely during this engage- ment. The regimental commander having been killed, Captain Pulford -although one of the junior Cap- tains-was soon after appointed Major. He took part in what is known as Burnside's mud march; also in the | 1864, to April 3, 1865. During the greater portion of Battle of the Cedars, May 2, 1863, in which he assisted in the capture of the 23d Georgia Infantry : and in the brilliant night charge when Stonewall Jackson was killed. This was one of the shortest and most terrific encounters of the war, as the charge was made to re-open communication with the army from which the Third Corps had been cut off late in the evening. The next day, he was engaged in the battle of ( hancellorsville, !
Locust Grove, and Mine Run. His regiment having . re-enlisted as a veteran organization, Colonel Pulford took it to Detroit, where a public reception was given them. They returned to the Army of the Potomac on the 19th of February, 1864, Colonel Pulford command- ing in all the actions and movements of that army, in- cluding the battle of the Wilderness, in which he was severely wounded, his back being broken and both his arms partially disabled. June 10, 1864, he was ap- pointed Colonel of the 5th Michigan Veteran Volunteer Infantry, Colonel Beach having been mustered out of service on account of having been absent from duty two years by reason of wounds received. The 3d Michigan Infantry Volunteers having been consolidated with the 5th Michigan Infantry, Colonel Pulford commanded the regiment in the siege of Petersburg, from June 27, ¡the time, he was in command of Fort Davis, having, as a garrison, the 5th Michigan Infantry, the Ist Regi- ment of United States Sharp-shooters, (the Michigan men of the 2d Regiment United States Sharp-shooters having been consolidated with this regiment), the 105th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry, and a New York Bat- tery. He was general officer of the day for the Second Corps at the engagement at Deep Bottom, Virginia; he where Lieutenant-Colonel E. T. Sherlock was killed, was engaged at Petersburg, July 30, commanding the after which Major Pulford assumed command of the Second Brigade, Third Division, Second Corps; he com- regiment, although suffering severely from a wound he - manded Birney's Division of the Tenth Corps, for a had received. The officers of his regiment petitioned short time, at the battle of Strawberry Plains, Vir- the Governor to appoint him Lieutenant-Colonel of the ginia: the 5th Michigan Infantry, at the battle of Pop- regiment, which was complied with, hi- commission 'lar Springs Church ; the first line of battle of the Second dating from May 3, 1863. He was engaged, with his | Brigade, Third Division, Second Corps, at Boydtown, command, in several skirmishes with the enemy on the October 27, 1864, where he was wounded in the right march to Gettysburg, and opened the engagement at knee; at Hatcher's Run, on March 25, 1865, he com- that place in front of the First Division, Third Corps. They fought as heavy infantry in almost a hand-to-hand
manded the 5th Michigan, together with the Ist Massa- | chusetts Heavy Artillery ; and the 5th Michigan Infantry, conflict, in which Colonel Pulford was severely wounded, at Sailor's Creek and New Store, Virginia. He was in the thigh, and slightly in the right hand. His horse general officer of the day for the Third Division, Second Corps, at the surrender of the insurgent armies at Ap- pomattox Court House. April 9, 1865. In June, of the same year, he was appointed by the President, Brigadier- General of United States Volunteers, by brevet, to rank
wa, killed, but the Colonel did not leave the field nor his command. Of the fourteen officers of his regiment present, eleven were either killed or wounded in this battle. The brigade commander, in his report of this engagement, says: "The unflinching bravery of the as such from the 30th of March, 1865, "for gallantry in | action and efficiency in the line of duty." After the general review of the armies of the United States at Washington, he proceeded, in command of the 5th Michigan Infantry and several other Western regiments,
5th Michigan, which sustained a loss of more than one- half of its members without yielding a foot of ground, | deserves to be especially commended." Colonel Pulford participated in the battle at Wapping Heights, and his regiment acted as flankers and skirmisher, during the' to Louisville, Kentucky, and commanded the First Bri- march from Gettysburg to White Sulphur Springs. On 'gade, provisional division, Army of the Tennessee, at the 16th of August, 1863, he went, in command of his | Jeffersonville, Indiana. The 5th Michigan Regiment regiment, to New York City, as a guard against threat- | having been mustered out of service July 5, 1865, he took it to Detroit, Michigan, where it was disbanded on
ened resistance to the draft ; thence to Troy, New York, for the same purpose; and returned to the Army of the | the 17th. Colonel Pulford returned to private life; and, Potomac, September 18, 1863. Ile was in command | in October, 1865, he was admitted to the bar, entering
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at once upon the practice of his profession. He had, | county, and took part in the War of 1812, on the Niag- however, acquired a strong taste for military life, and ara frontier, under General Schuyler,- being present at having applied for a commission in the regular army, Queenstown and other battles. He imparted to his son a strong love for military life; and, under his training, the boy became proficient in the broad-sword exercise, and thoroughly drilled in the manual of arms. When twelve years of age, Mr. Phelps was appointed Captain of a company of cadets. He acquired his education in the district schools of Scipio, with the exception of one term spent at the Aurora Academy. When school was not in session, he worked on his father's farm, and was appointed Second, and afterwards First, Lieutenant, 19th United States Infantry, on the 23d of February, 1866, being assigned to the command of Company G, third battalion, of that regiment. He was stationed at Newport barracks, Kentucky, on the 28th of April. IIe was in command of his company en route to and at Little Rock, Arkansas, until August 3, and was soon after assigned to the command of the post at Duvall's Bluff, Arkansas. On the 21st of September, he was gained habits of industry and usefulness that have fol- transferred to the 37th United States Infantry, stationed at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, and engaged in General !! Hancock's expedition against hostile Indians. April 27, 1867, he acted as Adjutant of the post at Fort I.yon, commanding a detachment of troops who were guarding the United States mail route from Indians, between lowed him thus far in life. He became the teacher of the same school in which he was a pupil; many of his classmates and pupils have since become eminent and useful members of society. When he was sixteen years of age, his father died, leaving him, the eldest of four sons, to manage the farm. It was soon sold, and he Forts Lyon and Aubrey, Kansas. He was Quarter- I then became Deputy Postmaster, and clerk for a mer- master, a Commissary of Subsistence and Disbursing chant in his native village. He was afterwards employed as clerk in a general store, by an excellent Quaker firm, Officer from November 1, 1867, until May 31, 1869. Hle was awaiting orders, and on reconstruction duty in Mis- i in the same place, at a salary of three and a half dollars sissippi, until December 13, 1869; on recruiting duty at Newport barracks, and at Atlanta, Georgia; and await- ing orders until December 15, 1870. He was retired on the rank of Colonel, United States army, under Section 32, of the act of Congress, approved July 28, 1866, on a record of six wounds received in action ; and wa- reduced to Lieutenant-Colonel, United States army, retired, under the act of March 3, 1875. In 1873 he was appointed, by Governor Bagley, as Judge-Advocate of the State of Michigan. By special act of Congress, in 1877, he was restored to the rank of Colonel, United , two mechanic's shops, shipyard, canal-boats, and a large States Army, retired.
per month and board. He attended to all kinds of work in their store and on their farm; he bought, sold, packed, and shipped pork, wool, and grain; he looked after the interest of their canal-boat and stage lines ; and thus gained an insight into various kinds of busi- ness. With the aid of his former employers, he obtained a clerkship at Lavanna, New York, at ten dollars per month and board. He performed the duties of Deputy Postmaster; salesman and general manager of a new store; and book-keeper for a warehouse, lumber-yard, farm. This he found too responsible a position, and more than his health and strength could endure. His employer offered an increase of salary as an inducement to remain, but he was determined to resign. In 1835, by the advice of his former employers, and with their best recommendations, he came to Detroit, Michigan, where he arrived in August of the same year. Ile soon found employment in a wholesale grocery house, at a salary of fifteen dollars a month and board. He con- tinued in this establishment until advised by his uncle -a resident of Detroit since 1818-to open a store with his brother Ralph, on Woodward avenue, near the corner
HELPS, HON. WILLIAM, Detroit, Michigan, was born November 19, 1816, at Sherwood, in Scipio, Cayuga County, New York. His parents were Ralph Phelps and Hester Ann Decker. The gene- alogical record of the family dates back to the Guelphs, in Wales; and, in America, to William and George Phelps, who landed at Boston in 1630. William Phelps settled in Windsor, Connecticut, while George remained in | of Jefferson avenue. This was the first store north of Massachusetts. It is supposed that the greater number, Jefferson avenue in the city. The building belonged to their uncle, who afterwards gave it to them. They commenced business there in June, 1836; in 1838 the building was destroyed by fire. The first stock of goods invoiced about eighty dollars, besides a soda fountain and apparatus, which was the only one in the city. Their stock consisted of groceries, fruits, and confec- tioneries,-all they wished to take at that time. By if not all, of the Phelps families in this country are descended from these two brothers. The mother of Hon. William Phelps. was born near Troy, New York. Her ancestors came from Holland, and belonged to that class of honest, industrious people known as " Mohawk Dutch." His father went from Windsor, Connecticut, when very young, and made his home in Scipio, New York. He was an officer in the regiment raised in his | strict attention to business, they were soon enabled to
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build up a large and flourishing trade, which has con- | Larned, Paymaster-General of the United States army ; tinued to increase. Ralph Phelps retired in 1840, and |and was highly complimented as having reported the Mr. Phelps has associated other partners with him in business. At present, the wholesale grocery house of Phelps & Brace (owned by them) ranks among the largest and most successful in Detroit. In 1860 Mr. Phelps was elected to the Legislature, and served during one regular and two special sessions. In 1861 and 1862, at the time of the breaking out of the civil war, he oc- cupied the position of Chairman of the Committee on Supplies and Expenditures, and was also the leading member of the Military Committee. Feeling the neces- sity of some military law, he succeeded, after the defeat of two bills, in securing the passage of the only military law of the State, under which the first regiments of Michigan troops were organized, and sent into the field in 1801. He also assisted in raising, equipping, and sustaining them; visited their camps at Washington,
best rolls and largest allotments, in proportion to the troops, of any commissioner. After re-visiting the troops at Harrison's Landing, he returned to Detroit in time to take the allotments of the 20th Regiment, and assist in recruiting the 24th Regiment, and taking their allotments. This occupied the summer and a portion of the fall, after which he visited the 9th Michigan Infantry, Colonel Duffield's, at Elizabethtown, Ken- tucky; and the soldiers in the army of General Buell, at Munfordsville, Kentucky, where the Michigan engineers and mechanics had just rebuilt the bridge across Green River. During the winter of 1862-63, he returned to Washington, and took charge of a large quantity of sanitary supplies sent down the Potomac to Belleplain, Falmouth, and the stations between Fredericksburg and Aquia Creek. He visited each regiment in the vicinity, Alexandria, and Fort Lyon ; carried supplies to them ; and transacted business for the soldiers. In March, 1863, he was appointed, by President Lincoln, Paymaster
and remitted their money to their friends. In the spring of 1862, he was appointed, by President Lincoln, Iin the United States army, with the rank of Major; he Allotment Commissioner for the State of Michigan, - wa, ordered to report to Major William Allen, at Louis- ville, Kentucky, and then to proceed to Triune, Ten- nessee,-with part of the famous Ist Tennessee Cavalry the State, by law, paying traveling expenses, but no salary. Mr. Phelp, was the only one of the three ap- pointed who was with the troops at the front. He for guard and escort,-to pay the signal corps and troops commenced active service with them, and was present
under Major-General Schofield. After paying the Mis- during the siege and evacuation of Yorktown, Virginia, , souri cavalry in Nashville, he returned to head-quarters taking their allotments of pay, and the money and at Louisville. In August he was summoned as witness valuables of several Michigan regiments, to transmit to their families and friends. After the battle of Williams- burg, he went to Washington to transact the business
in a court-martial, by General Rosecrans, commanding the Army of the Cumberland. He reported to him at Stevenson, Alabama, from which place he was ordered of his commission, and thence to Michigan to deliver to Bridgeport; and from there to Battle Creek, and across the Tennessee River, to take quarters with Colo- nel E. W. Phelps, of the 38th Ohio, until the army halted long enough for the court-martial. They were then in pursuit of General Bragg, who had evacuated Chattanooga. The Lieutenant-Colonel of the regiment being at home recruiting, Major Phelps was installed in his place, by direction of the Colonel, and participated
the money and valuables in his possession, which came to the relief of many a needy family in the State. He then returned with a large number of articles sent by friends to the soldiers before Richmond, and rejoined them at Fair Oaks battle-ground and White Oak swamps. He then visited all the Michigan troops on both sides of the Chickahominy River, and took allotments, -wit- nessing the battles of Seven Pines and Gaine,' Mills. in the march over Sand, Racoon, and Lookout moun- The next day, he had an official interview with the staffs of Generals Mcclellan, Sedgwick, and Heintzel- man, at Savage Station. That night, he remained with the troops when they fell back towards the James River; and, on the second night, he reached Carter's Landing, and the gunboat "Stepping Stone-," with all the money of the 7th Michigan Infantry, and all the money and valuables he could carry belonging to other regiments. The next day, on the same boat, he started, with six hundred and forty soldiers wounded in the battles of Seven Pines and Gaines' Mills, for Fortress Monroe, where he delivered them over to the surgeons. He then proceeded to Washington, where, having sent off by express the money and valuables intrusted to his care, he handed in his allotment rolls to General Frank tains to Pigeon Mountain, -witnessing its battle. He also took part in the battle of Chickamauga, as they fell back into Chattanooga, where the 38th Ohio was in command for many days on the north side of the river. Several members of the court having been killed and disabled in the battle of Chickamauga, it was dissolved; and Major Phelps returned to Louisville, after an ab- sence of several weeks. In October of the same year, he returned to Chattanooga to assist in paying the Army of the Cumberland, under General Thomas, then sur- rounded on that side of the river by General Bragg's troops, occupying Lookout Mountain below and Mission Ridge to the Tennessee River above. There was no chance of supply but over a pontoon bridge across the river, or over the precipitous Cumberland Mountains to
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Stevenson, Alabama, sixty-four miles away. After pay- | French, General Cutcheon and Colonel Phelps per- ments to the troops in Chattanooga, he was ordered to formed the duties of the commission,-the General as remain, and pay General Sherman's Army of the Missis- sippi, which was on its way to relieve Chattanooga and Knoxville. This was accomplished after the battles of Lookout Mountain and Mission Ridge, in both of which Major Phelps took part as a volunteer. On Mission Ridge, he assisted in refitting captured guns and turn- ing them upon their late owners, and performed other services. After the return of General Sherman's troops from Knoxville, Major Phelps assisted in paying them, at Bridgeport, Alabama, closing December 24, 1863; and returned to Louisville after three months' hard service. In 1864 he made payments at Louisville, Nash- ville, Decatur, Mooresville, Athens, Alabama, and other points along the railroad, where troops were stationed to guard the bridges and roads to Nashville. Returning to the latter place, he visited General Sherman on a special mission before Atlanta, Georgia; and, at his request, for- warded the Paymasters of the Cincinnati department at
Chairman, and the Colonel as Secretary. Nearly two years were devoted to the work of the commission with- out compensation, except traveling expenses. Corre- spondence was held with every Supervisor in the State, and other persons having knowledge of the condition of returned soldiers, and also with the authorities of all the States, as to their action for the relief of their soldiers. The Soldiers' National Homes at Dayton, Ohio, and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and the State Soldiers' Homes in Indiana and Illinois, were twice personally visited. Every possible information was gained, and voluminous reports made by the two acting commis- sioners to Governor Crapo and the Legislature of 1869. Resolutions of thanks were passed by the Legislature for the full and able reports of the commissioners ; these resolutions were enrolled on parchment, and presented to the commissioners, and are now in their possession. Governor Crapo also gave expression of his gratitude Nashville, and all others having money, to pay his troops for their services. In May, 1867, Governor Crapo ap-
before his attack on Atlanta. As soon as money could be pointed Colonel Phelps aid-de-camp on his military staff, with the rank of Colonel of Michigan troops. Mr. Phelps has been for many years an honorary mem- ber of the Detroit Light Guard,-the oldest military organization in the State .- and for over two years an obtained, Major Phelps started with the pay department, and made payments at Chattanooga, Ringgold, Rome, Kingston, and Atlanta, to Sherman's troops as they started for the sea. He left Atlanta on the last train going north, prior to the destruction of the city by fire. In , active member of the Board of Directors of the Pelonge March, 1865, he was promoted, by President Johnson, I Corps of Detroit Cadets. He is Vice-President, and to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel, United States army, for "gallant and meritorious services during the war." Having visited Washington to pay General Sherman's
ha> been Treasurer, of the Michigan Soldiers' and Sail- ors' Association. He held the position of Alderman of the Fifth Ward in Detroit two terms, or four years,
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troops after their return from Savannah, Georgia, he | holding responsible places as chairman and member of returned to Louisville, and assisted in paying all the | its most important committees, and devoting a large troops there, before they were sent to their own States amount of time and labor for the public benefit. He united with the Odd-Fellows early in their organization in Detroit : passed successively through all the offices; and then became a member of the Masonic Fraternity. As he could not successfully attend both, he severed his connection with the Odd-Fellows, and became a Knight Templar of Detroit Commandery, No. 1, where his military tastes were more fully gratified. He assisted in introducing the order of the Sons of Temperance into the State, and held its highest offices for many years. He took part in the formation of the Republican party at Jackson. Michigan, in 1854, and has been an active member ever since. He was a member of the Union League in Detroit, Michigan, and Louisville, Kentucky, during the late war. He has also been Post-Comman- dant, and Adjutant-General of the Grand Army of the Republic, introducing the order into the State of Mich- igan by his personal effort. IIe has been an active member of the Methodist Episcopal Church since Au- to be mustered out of service. As the war was vir- tually ended, and there was nothing more to do, at his own request, on July 31, 1865, he was honorably mustered out of service. Ile enjoyed the especial con- fidence and respect of the chiefs of the pay depart- ment, of his associates, and of the officers and soldiers whom he met in official duty. Positions as local l'ay- master at Louisville, Nashville, New Orleans, and other important posts, were offered him; but he respectfully declined them, preferring active service with the soldiers in the field. He disbursed many millions of dollars to the soldiers, and received testimonial, of their kind regard. By great good fortune, all money and valua- bles he remitted for soldiers reached their destinations satisfactorily. During the session of the Legislature in 1867, General B. M. Cutcheon, Colonel Phelps, and George H. French were appointed, by Governor Crapo, a Soldiers' Permanent Home Commission, to ascertain the condition of the returned soldiers of the State, and to | gust, 1836, and Superintendent of Sabbath-schools for report the best means for the relief of those in want of over twenty-five years. He has also been class-leader, help and comfortable support. At the request of Mr. steward, trustee, and local preacher in the church.
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At the present time, Mr. Phelps is trustee of several | Quimby, manager of the Detroit Free Press. Mr. churches and religious organizations, and is an ordained local preacher, and Vice-President of the National Asso- ciation of Local Preachers. Hle married, December 20, 1838, Miss Jane Love, who died October 26, 1841. September 8, 1844, he married Miss Deborah E. Maine, of Mainesburg, Pennsylvania, who died October 14, 1855, leaving four children, the youngest of whom died January 1, 1859. Ile married Miss Calphurnia Blanch- ard, at Lawrence, Pennsylvania, December 4, 1856. They have one son, making the number of his children four,-two daughters and two sons. The oldest three are married and comfortably settled; the youngest is still in school. By a life of industry and frugality, Mr. Phelps has gained a comfortable fortune, and has been able to give his children a good education and a fair start in life. His patriotism led him to aid his country in her time of need; and his active public spirit ha- instituted many enterprises for the benefit of society. Few persons commencing life with the same means have done more for the public good.
QUIMBY, WILLIAM E., Managing Editor, and Principal Owner, of Detroit Free Press. Almost any day, during business hours, that the curious visitor is inclined to pass down Griswold street, Detroit, and ascend three flights of stairs of a four-story brick building, situated on the north-west corner of Griswold and Woodbridge streets, turning to the left at the topmost landing, and passing through two rooms of moderate dimensions, he will find himself on the threshold of a neatly furnished room, commanding a charming view of the Detroit River, and the pleasant little town of Windsor, on the Canadian shore. Gener- ally, on entering this apartment, the visitor will observe a gentleman seated at a table covered with manuscript and newspaper clippings, which seem to absorb his attention. At the first sound of your footsteps, he will, perhaps, nervously raise his head, and give you a quick and searching glance from a pair of keen gray eyes. When he rises to take you by the hand, you will ob-
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