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Iowa Civil War History -- Dairies, Contemporaneous Accounts
The Journal of Brannock Phillips
Prologue
In 1870, Brannock Phillips (1799-1875), a resident of Unionville, and a member of the Iowa Legislature for Appanoose County, recorded his family history in a bound journal. He had used this journal for many things: recording his accounts, digests of sermons given in Albia and Unionville in 1857, notes for speeches Brannock Phillips made on Reconstruction, voter roles for Appanoose County (with careful annotations that Brannock made to identify persons he suspected were Copperheads), and, finally, the family history.
Brannock Phillips fathered six children, two of whom served in the Civil War: Cyrus E. Phillips, who served as Captain of the Eddyville Guards, Iowa Militia, and Sardis B. Phillips, who enlisted in the Iowa Second Infantry at Unionville, Iowa in 1861, and, according to the account in the register of the family bible, "died Nov. 23, 1861 Hospital Cairo Ill. being a nurse therein. Buried in Cairo Cemetery."
Brannock Phillips was an acid writer. His account of the family history reflects a strong distaste for things Southern (understandable, since he had lost a son). The interesting conflict in this is that in compiling the family history, Brannock must deal with his own Southern antecedents. It is this aspect of the family history that intrigues-it provides insight into the strong feelings that arose in Iowa families that lost loved ones to the war.
The Journal
"Believing our American people are not, as a whole, as careful as they should be, to leave, and maintain records of chronology of families: therefore, I shall herein give as full and complete history of my progenitors as I can. But having nothing from which to draw items but a rather treacherous memory of words uttered by my parents long since; it may not, in all cases be reliable.
My parents claimed that each family was of English descent. And that they were the second generation from the emigrating parents. That each family settled on the Eastern Shore of Maryland, where they remained & where my parents were born and raised.
My mother's maiden name was Sarah Brannock. I am not sure, but think his first name was Nehemiah. He was a farmer; owned a farm and some 15 or 20 slaves. A man of pleasure, but small amount of perseverance in doing good in life. When I was only a small boy, my mother was visited by a distant relative of the Brannock family who said his residence was in Harrison County, Ky. This was the only branch of my grandfather's family on my mother's side, I ever saw, or knew anything about. And he did not seem likely to set the world on fire. Of the Phillips Stock, I know more.
Each of my grandfathers lived in Dorchester County, Md. and on the Bay=shore where father and mother were born, raised and married.
Philemon Phillips, my grand=father had, I believe, 6 sons. Wm., Philemon, Ezekiel, Thomas, John (my father) and James. In after life all moved to N.C. except Philemon, who I suppose, remarried in Md. But of him or his, I know nothing.
William and father about 1795 emigrated from N.C. to Ky. Settling in Jessamine Co. where I was born. But a few years later moved to Montgomery Co. where each died at a good old age.
Uncle Wm. had 4 sons. William who married and died in Jessamine Co. leaving 2 or 3 sons. Ezekiel, who died an old beck. Thomas who died near Bloomington Ind. leaving a family. And James who married in Montgomery County and was yet there some 4 years since.
And 3 daughters. Sallie who married a Wornback and lived in Jessamine Co. Ky. Rachael, who married Churchwell Garner, and was living a few years since in Montgomery, a widow and very old. And Nancy who married Jas. Carson and was living in Tippecanoe Co. Ind. the last I knew of her.
Uncle Ezekiel, ultimately left N.C. for Ky. where he lived a few years, and died leaving 4 boys + 2 girls, by his first marriage. And 2 sons of his second marriage. Of his descendants, I know but little. They are scattered in Oregon, Utah, Iowa and mostly in Ind.
Uncle Thomas finally settled in Ill. where he died at an advanced age leaving 3 sons, Nimrod, Thomas and Nathan. The father was a local preacher of the M. E. Church. Nathan an M.D. I imagine they and their children are living some where about Peoria, Ill. or adjoining cos.
The last intelligence of Uncle Jas. + family was that they lived in the mountains of Virginia on New River. Not doing well.
My father was born about 1761 or 62. I am not positive which and mother about 2 years later. He died in Montgomery Co. Ky. where his remains lie, in his 77 year, and mother some 2 years later in Putnam Co. Ind. where her remains were deposited: she living after his death, with her only surviving daughter Sallie Gibson.
I suppose there is not a Slab or anything to show where either lies! Such is the laxity of Southern life, degenerated under the influence of slavery. Were I where they lie, I would have plain Slabs affixed.
My father was a farmer, as was all his brothers: was not a lazy man. But seemed content with little home, having some of the comforts of life without any of the luxuries thereof. Thus they lived, and raised 7 children.
Aseneth, the oldest married Saml. Whitsitte, died leaving 4 sons and 4 daughters, who are scattered, some in Mo. others in Iowa, but mostly in Ind.
Alley the second, who married Ralph Whitsitte, who died leaving 4 children. Three of whom I suppose are living now. Wm T.+ Betsey, living in Fayette Co. Mo. And Polly widow of John Miller decd. now, living in Jefferson Co. Ind..
Sally the third, who married James Gibson-raised a large family-lived to see all settled in life, and died in Putnam Co. Ind. in April 1863. Being 77 years old. I believe most of her children are in Iowa but some in Ind. She has grandchildren in and about Centreville Iowa And one son in Monroe Co.
John the 4th child lived in Jefferson Co. Ind. and raised a large family. All of whom live there or in adjoining Cos. He died in his 69th year leaving a third wife. I cannot name all his progeny, and shall omit all.
Mary, the fifth who married Wm. C. Wilson, but died young leaving 4 children Brannock, John C., Peter and Ally Jane. All living in Indiana.
William the sixth died in Cincinnati on Aug. 4th, 1836, being then Assistant Editor of the Western Christian Advocate. He left 5 children. Only two are now living. John Mitton and Frank W. The former resides in Cin. Ohio, the latter in Ill.. Is an itinerant minister of the M.E. Church of some eminence.
Brannock the 7th the writer hereof was born July 12th, 1799. Married Sept. 30th, 1819 to Eliza M. Wells. Since that time we have lived together in harmony, and raised 5 sons and 1 daughter."
Debate Notes
Reconstruction implies having been demolished.
Who done it?
Not the Republicans
That no governments existed all agreed.
The president appointed governors + other officers.
And said what should be done.
Congress the only constructing power.
Should we give the power of government to Cops? [Copperheads]
They robbed treasury.
Sent ships abroad.
Arms + munitions South.
Rebelled against the Government.
Prolonged the war.
Encouraged Rebels.
Discouraged Union Soldiers.
Met in secret conclave to resist conscription.
Fled to Canada + the mountains.
Killed our officers at home.
Many of them fled South and fought against us.
Refused our soldiers the franchise.
Postscript
Brannock Phillips died in Unionville of "neuralgia of the heart." His wife died two years later. Both are buried there, side by side. Cyrus E. Phillips continued the journal in 1883, giving an account of Brannock Phillips' children.
Now that we are some 130 years distant, it is hard to imagine the tenor of these times. Through Brannock Phillips' journal, we are given the opportunity to consider the thoughts of persons living then.
Cyrus E. Phillips, IV
Washington, D.C.
May 8th, 1998.
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