Isham James Lunsford Phillips
Submitted by jbice@brazosport.cc.tx.us
Isham James Lunsford Phillips was born March 03, 1838 in Twiggs County, Georgia, to Robert Reliford Phillips and Dorcas Matilda Eldridge.
Isham married Miss Annie D. Bush on March 03, 1858 in Barbour County. Annie’s parents were Mary Frances Johnston and John Bush. Isham died January 25, 1921 and is buried next to Annie at Salem Baptist Church Cemetery Dale County, AL., where his son the Rev. Joseph Wm. Phillips was the Pastor. Annie his wife proceeded him in death on January 01, 1920.
Isham James Lunsford Phillips enlisted April 30th, 1862 as a Private at Louisville, Barbour Co., Alabama in Company E, 59th Alabama Infantry
Regiment, C.S.A. He served until the wars end.
He collected his pension in Barbour County, Ala. until his death.
Isham's brother also served, he was Nathan Richard Phillips, 2nd Lieutenant Co. E, 59th Al. Inf.
Reg., as so did his Uncle, Thomas Peter Cumings Phillips, Private, Company F 6th Alabama Infantry Regiment
Fifty-Ninth Alabama Infantry Regiment
This regiment was formed by the consolidation of the Second and Fourth battalions of Hilliard's Legion. The Legion was organized at Montgomery June 25, 1862, and consisted of five battalions one of which was mounted, and being detached in a short time thereafter, became part of the Tenth Confederate regiment. The Second battalion, six companies was commanded by Lieut. Colonel Bolling Hall, Jr. of Autauga, and Major W. Stubblefield of Coosa; the Fourth battalion was commanded by Major John D. McLennan of Barbour.
The legion proceeded to east Tennessee, nearly 3000 strong, under its commander, Col. Hilliard of Mongomery. Proceeding to Cumberland Gap, it was part of the force that besieged that position. In October the legion was a part of the force that occupied Kentucky, a fatiguing march. It passed the winter and summer following in east Tennessee during which time Col. Jack Thorington of Montgomery (of the first battalion) succeeded Col. Hilliard, and in April 1863 it was attached to Gen. Gracie's brigade. The legion was in the great battle of Chicamauga, and left more than half its number on the bloody field, and the flag of the Second battalion was perforated by 81 balls. Moving into east Tennessee, Col. Thorington having resigned, the legion was divided into the Fifty-ninth and Sixtieth Alabama regiments, and Twenty-third battalion, at Charleston, Nov. 25, 1863.
The Fifty-ninth was at the investment of Knoxville, and the fights at Dandridge and Beene's
Station, with some casualties, especially at the latter. In April 1864 the regiment reached
Richmond, and shortly
after took part in the battle of Drewry's Bluff and the fight with Sheridan, losing largely in
casualties in the former. From June till the March following, the Fifty-ninth was in the trenches
of Petersburg, or in the numerous fierce conflicts at the dank and rear of the army, losing a
number at Hatcher's Run and White-oaks Road. As part of Gordon's corps, Bushrod Johnston's division, the regiment was engaged at Appomattox, and there
surrendered.
SOURCES:
Willis Brewer's Alabama: Her History, Resources: War Record, and Public
Men From 1540 to 1872;
Bush Family History - D.A.R. Library : Mrs. Ruby Rolland Rozzel -
family historian
