A just and feeling tribute to the memory of the late Major CHARLES A. PHILLIPS, was adopted at the last stated meeting of the Grand Army Commandery of Massachusetts, saying:
As a student of Harvard, he took high rank in the Classical and Mathematical Departments, but left his professional studies for a subordinate position in the Light Artillery service.
Of a retiring disposition, he desired no reward other than a consciousness of duty faithfully performed, but his merits soon brought him promotion.
As a Battery Commander, he was careful and considerate of his men, and asked them to incur no danger in which he did not take a conspicuous share. From the midst of the enemy at Gettysburg, he helped to draw one of his disabled pieces by hand: advancing his Battery by section, he drove the enemy before him at Bethesda Church; fearless of danger, on an important occasion, he stood alone on the breastworks of Fort Sedgewick; before Petersburg, exposed to the hottest fire, encouraging his men and calling for “Spherical case,” and led the pioneers who cleared away the obstructions around Fort Mahone, in the final engagement, and closed his service with the war, commanding a Brigade of Reserve Artillery of the Army of the Potomac.
As a soldier, his record is one of heroism; as a citizen, of industry and usefulness; and now, while we fondly cherish his memory, we deeply sympathize with his family and relatives in their bereavement.
The body of Maj. Phillips was received in Salem on Friday afternoon for interment in the family lot in Harmony Grove.
From the collection at the Steven Phillips Trust House, Salem, MA