John R. Phillips

John R. Phillips (about 1843 – March 14, 1864) was a Union soldier from Scott County who died during the Civil War. His brother, Timothy Phillips, also died in the war.

See Also: Scott Countians killed in war

Biography

Born about 1843, John R. Phillips was the son of Elijah Phillips (1816-1879) and Margaret Sexton (1815-1870) of Scott County. His siblings included Levi Phillips (born about 1834), Easter (Esther) Phillips (born about 1837), Kisiah Phillips (born about 1839), Timothy Phillips (born about 1843), Robert Phillips (born about 1846), and Julian Phillips (born about 1850), and James Phillips (born about 1855). Winfield Phillips (born about 1850), Arlene Phillips (born about 1853) and Emeline Phillips (born about 1855) also lived with the family when the 1860 census was taken, but are believed to have been the children of Elijah’s brother, Emanuel Phillips.

John’s paternal grandparents were Thomas Phillips (1768-1841) and Mary Goad (1770-1840). Both were the children of Revolutionary War veterans — Tobias Phillips (1750-1808) and Abraham Goad (1740-1816). Thomas married Mary prior to the Goad family’s move to present-day Scott County just after 1800. John’s maternal grandparents were Timothy Sexton Jr. (1783-1850) and Nancy Ellis (1800-1860). Timothy was also the son of a Revolutionary War veteran, Timothy Sexton (1750-1832).

Civil War

John R. Phillips enlisted in the Union army on June 5, 1863 and was assigned to Co. G, 2nd Tennessee Infantry. Timothy Phillips enlisted in the Union army on March 1, 1862 and was assigned to the same company. The 2nd Tennessee was overrun by Confederate forces at the Battle of Rogersville in Hawkins County, Tenn. on Nov. 6, 1863, and all were taken prisoner. Many of them, including a number of Scott Countians, died in Confederate prisons. John died on March 14, 1864 at Belle Isle of diarrhea, after being admitted to Hospital 21 in Richmond. Timothy died of anasarca on Aug. 23, 1864 at Andersonville, Ga. He was transferred to Andersonville after originally being confined at Belle Isle. He is buried at Andersonville National Cemetery in Grave No. 6600.

John and Timothy had an uncle, Emanuel Phillips, who also died during the war.