Mary Whitney Phelps Marker Dedication

Four Phelps descendants will attend the dedication—coming from Virginia, Connecticut, New Mexico, and Arizona. Make plans to attend this special event!

John S. Phelps

The Missouri Republican of yesterday contained the following:

"Col. Phelps left this city yesterday, for Washington, in improved health."

Col. Phelps is a man of wide experience, great ability and tried patriotism. His residence is in Springfield, Missouri. He has been, for several years, in command of a Missouri regiment, and performed distinguished services in the battle of Pea Ridge. Two sons were with him in that fight, and one of them was severely wounded. Colonel Phelps' wife, after the battle of Wilson's Creek devoted herself to the care of our wounded, and hundreds of grateful soldiers testify to her kindness. It was she who cared for the body of General Lyon, and caused its restoration to his friends. Col. Phelps, now that the armed rebels are driven out of his Congressional district, feels justified in taking his seat as its representative in Congress. His high character and dauntless courage---his services in the field and experience as a legisltor---will give him great influence at Washington, which, we have no doubt, he will exert with wisdom.---Cin. Commercial

Indianapolis (Indiana) Daily Journal, April 25, 1862.

Welcome

Phelps Camp was formed in 1994, and is actually named for three members of a prominent local family who each made important contributions to the preservation of the Union during the Civil War.

John Smith Phelps was a prominent U.S. congressman before and during the war, who also served as colonel of the "Phelps Regiment, Missouri Infantry," and led that regiment into action at the Battle of Pea Ridge, Arkansas, March 7-8, 1862. He later served as military governor of Arkansas, and after the war was elected governor of Missouri.




Mary Whitney Phelps, his wife, safeguarded the body of Brigadier General Nathaniel Lyon after his death at the Battle of Wilson's Creek, August 10, 1861, and helped care for the wounded of her husband's regiment after the Battle of Pea Ridge. Following the war, she established an orphanage in Springfield for the children of Union soldiers.

John Elisha Phelps, their son, fought in the Battles of Wilson's Creek and Pea Ridge, and was appointed colonel of the 2nd Arkansas Cavalry (US). He led that unit into action on several battlefields, including Westport and Mine Creek. He was made a brevet brigadier general at the end of the war for his services.