PHILLIPS, William H.

William H. Phillips was born in Halifax County, VA on April 18, 1838. He was a son of John P. Phillips and Susanna Cox. Shortly after his birth in 1839, William's parents moved the family to Trigg County, KY.

William H. Phillips was a member of Company B, First Kentucky Cavalry. He enlisted June 25, 1861 and served for one year under Col. Ben Helm, Captain William Caldwell and 1st Lieut. Will Elliott. He was honourably discharged at Chattanooga, TN the "last of July 1862, having served out the time for which I enlisted." After he was mustered out, William was arrested and placed in prison in Louisville, KY. He was not released from prison until March 1, 1863. William took the Oath of Allegiance to the United States while "sick and in prison at Louisville, KY."

After his release, he returned home to farming. William married Nancy S. Guthrie in Trigg County on January 14, 1865. Nancy was the daughter of Irby Guthrie and Mary Ann Ladd. William and Nancy were the parents of eight children.

He applied for the pension for disabled and indigent Confederate soldiers on April 27, 1912. A widower and suffering from "troubles incident to old age," William reported on his application that he had "nothing" and could only do "little light jobs and earned about one dollar per week." He signed as witness for other pension applicants that year--certifying their service together in the 1st KY Cavalry and at age 74 he participated in the CSA Veterans Reunion.