Pleasant J. Philips

Pleasant J. Philips was born in 1819 in Georgia. His surname is often recorded as 'Phillips' however his gravestone, his signature, and the dedication of a presentation sword to him all refer to 'Philips'. He was a son of Charles Phillips, an American soldier from North Carolina (member of the Georgia House of Representatives in 1821 and 1822, the Georgia Senate in 1823 and Georgia Militia general from 1825 to 1828), and his wife Anne Nicks. Pleasant Philips prospered as a plantation owner and slaveholder in Harris County, ==Civil War service==

When the American Civil War began in 1861, Philips chose to follow his home state of Georgia and the Confederate cause. On November 18 he was elected colonel of the 31st Georgia Infantry, assuming command of the regiment on the following day. Philips was then ordered to Savannah, Georgia, where it spent that winter. During the reorganization of the Confederate Army in the spring of 1862, Philips was not re-elected and resigned his commission on May 13. That same day Maj. Clement A. Evans was named colonel and replaced Philips in command of the 31st Georgia. In July this force was ordered to join the Army of Tennessee during the Siege of Atlanta, attached to Bate's Division, Lt General S. D. Lee's Corps, Along the Sandtown Road, during the Battle of Utoy Creek Aug 1-10 1864, and serving throughout the siege there until September. following a four-hour march from Macon. The assaults were described as: The Confederates lost about 51 dead and 472 wounded plus around 600 missing, compared to less than 100 Union losses. The spirited but futile attack by Philips has been described as "...while it reflects great credit upon the gallantry of the Confederate and State forces engaged, was unnecessary, unexpected and utterly unproductive of any good." Following the action at Griswoldville, Philips resigned from the Confederate service in November. ==Postbellum career==

After resigning Philips returned to Columbus, Georgia, and his banking career. He died at his home in Wynnton in 1876, and was buried in Linnwood Cemetery in Columbus. ==See also==