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{{Short description|Artilleryman and general officer in the British Army}}
{{Distinguish|William Edward Phillips}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2024}}
{{Infobox military person
{{Infobox military person
|name=William Phillips
|name=William Phillips
|image=William Phillips.jpg
|image=File:Portrait of William Phillips by Francis Cotes.jpg
|caption= Portrait of William Phillips, {{circa}} 1764
|caption=
|birth_date={{birth-date|1731}}
|birth_date={{birth date text|1731}}
|death_date = {{death-date|13 May 1781}}
|death_date = 13 May {{Death year and age|1781|1731}}
|birth_place=[[England]]
|birth_place=[[England]]
|death_place=[[Petersburg, Virginia]]
|death_place=[[Petersburg, Virginia]]
|allegiance=[[Great Britain]]
|allegiance={{flag|Kingdom of Great Britain}}
|branch=[[British Army]]
|branch={{army|UK}}
|unit=[[Royal Artillery]]
|unit=[[Royal Artillery]]
|serviceyears=1747-1781
|serviceyears=1747-1781
|rank=Major-General
|rank=Major-General
|battles=[[Seven Years War]]
|battles=
{{tree list}}
* [[Seven Years' War]]
*[[Battle of Minden]]
** [[Battle of Minden]]
<br>[[American War of Independence]]
* [[American War of Independence]]
*[[Saratoga campaign]]
** [[Saratoga Campaign]]
*[[Battle of Blandford]]
** [[Battle of Blandford]]
{{tree list/end}}
|awards=
|awards=
|relations=
|relations=
}}
}}


'''William Phillips''' (1731 – May 13, 1781) was a renowned artilleryman and general officer in the [[British Army]] who served as a major-general in the [[American War of Independence]].
[[Major-general (United Kingdom)|Major-General]] '''William Phillips''' ({{circa|1731}} – 13 May 1781) was a [[British Army]] officer who served in the [[Royal Artillery]] during the [[American Revolutionary War|American War of Independence]].


== Early career ==
== Early career ==
{{Further2|[[Great Britain in the Seven Years War]]}}
{{further|Great Britain in the Seven Years War}}
Phillips entered the academy at [[Woolwich]] and eventually joined the Royal Artillery. His service at the [[Battle of Minden]] led to a reputation as an excellent officer. By the outbreak of the American War of Independence he had risen to the rank of colonel in the British Army. He served as the Commander of Artillery at Woolwich and Lieutenant Governor of [[Windsor Castle]], and was eventually elected as MP for [[Boroughbridge (UK Parliament constituency)|Boroughbridge]].
Phillips entered the academy at [[Woolwich]] and eventually joined the Royal Artillery. His service at the [[Battle of Minden]] led to a reputation as an excellent officer. By the outbreak of the American War of Independence he had risen to the rank of colonel in the British Army. He served as the Commander of Artillery at Woolwich and Lieutenant Governor of [[Windsor Castle]], and was eventually elected as MP for [[Boroughbridge (UK Parliament constituency)|Boroughbridge]].


== American War of Independence ==
== American War of Independence ==


Phillips was promoted to the rank of Major-General and sent to [[Quebec]] in 1776, along with his friend General [[Henry Clinton (American War of Independence)|Henry Clinton]] and General [[John Burgoyne]], to be the commander of all artillery in the province. Governor Sir [[Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester|Guy Carleton]] put him in charge of the shipyard at St. John's where, along with Captain [[Sir Charles Douglas, 1st Baronet|Sir Charles Douglas]], he supervised the building of the small fleet of ships that fought the Americans under [[Benedict Arnold]] at the [[Battle of Valcour Island]]. He later took part in [[Siege of Fort Ticonderoga (1777)|the recapture]] of [[Fort Ticonderoga]], where he stated, "Where a goat can go, a man can go. And where a man can go, he can drag a gun."
Phillips was promoted to the rank of Major-General and sent to [[Quebec]] in 1776, along with his friends General [[Henry Clinton (American War of Independence)|Henry Clinton]] and General [[John Burgoyne]], to be the commander of all artillery in the province. Governor Sir [[Guy Carleton, 1st Baron Dorchester|Guy Carleton]] put him in charge of the shipyard at St. John's where, along with Captain [[Sir Charles Douglas, 1st Baronet|Sir Charles Douglas]], he supervised the building of the small fleet of ships that fought the Americans under [[Benedict Arnold]] at the [[Battle of Valcour Island]]. He later took part in [[Siege of Fort Ticonderoga (1777)|the recapture]] of [[Fort Ticonderoga]], where he stated, "Where a goat can go, a man can go. And where a man can go, he can drag a gun."


[[File:Surrender of General Burgoyne.jpg|thumb|right|''[[Surrender of General Burgoyne]]''<br />Phillips stands just behind Burgoyne, left of center]]
[[File:Surrender of General Burgoyne.jpg|thumb|''[[Surrender of General Burgoyne]]''<br />Phillips stands just behind Burgoyne, left of center]]
As part of Burgoyne's army, he was captured at [[Battle of Saratoga|Saratoga]] in 1777. He is depicted in the painting of the ''[[Surrender of General Burgoyne]]'' by [[John Trumbull]].<ref>[http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/rotunda/surrender_burgoyne.cfm Surrender of General Burgoyne<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Key to the Surrender of General Burgoyne |url=http://americanrevolution.org/burgkey.html|accessdate=2008-01-20}}</ref>
As part of Burgoyne's army, he was captured at [[Battle of Saratoga|Saratoga]] in 1777. He is depicted in the painting of the ''[[Surrender of General Burgoyne]]'' by [[John Trumbull]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aoc.gov/cc/art/rotunda/surrender_burgoyne.cfm |title=Surrender of General Burgoyne |publisher=Aoc.gov |access-date=4 May 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Key to the Surrender of General Burgoyne |url=http://americanrevolution.org/burgkey.html|access-date=20 January 2008}}</ref>
He was then a part of the [[Convention Army]] until he was exchanged for American General [[Benjamin Lincoln]] in 1780. While a prisoner in Virginia, he was one of the British officers who was entertained at the home of [[Thomas Jefferson]]. After the exchange he was able to fight once again, and was sent by Clinton from [[New York]] to meet up with Brigadier General [[Benedict Arnold]] (who was now on the British side) in [[Virginia]].
He was then a part of the [[Convention Army]] until he was exchanged for American General [[Benjamin Lincoln]] in 1780. While a prisoner in Virginia, he was one of the British officers who was entertained at the home of [[Thomas Jefferson]]. After the exchange he was able to fight once again, and was sent by Clinton from [[New York (state)|New York]] to meet up with Brigadier General [[Benedict Arnold]] (who was now on the British side) in [[Virginia]].


While on his way to link up with General Cornwallis, he contracted either [[typhus]] or [[malaria]], and became so ill that Arnold had to lead his men. He died on May 13, 1781 at [[Petersburg, Virginia]], five months before [[Siege of Yorktown|Yorktown]], and is buried there near [[Blandford Cemetery|Blandford Church]].
While on his way to link up with General Cornwallis, he contracted either [[typhus]] or [[malaria]], and became so ill that Arnold had to lead his men. He died on 13 May 1781 at [[Petersburg, Virginia]], five months before [[Siege of Yorktown|Yorktown]], and is buried there near [[Blandford Cemetery|Blandford Church]].


As he lay gravely ill, in the home belonging to the Bolling family known as Bollingbrook, British forces in Petersburg were being shelled by the [[Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette|Marquis de Lafayette]]'s cannons positioned in the heights north of the river, today known as [[Colonial Heights, Virginia]]. His final words &mdash; uttered after a shell struck the home and killed an African-American servant named Molly &mdash; are reputed to have been "Won't that boy let me die in peace?"<ref>James H. Bailey, ''Old Petersburg'', p. 17.</ref> He and Molly were said to have been buried together, to prevent identification.<ref>Catherine Copeland, ''Bravest Surrender: A Petersburg Patchwork'' p. 38.</ref> [[Thomas Jefferson]] described him as "the proudest man of the proudest nation on earth".<ref>Davis p.XI</ref>
As he lay gravely ill, in the home belonging to the Bolling family known as Bollingbrook, [[British Army during the American War of Independence|British forces]] in Petersburg were being shelled by the [[Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette|Marquis de Lafayette]]'s cannons positioned in the heights north of the river, today known as [[Colonial Heights, Virginia]]. His final words &mdash; uttered after a shell struck the home and killed an African-American servant named Molly &mdash; are reputed to have been "Won't that boy let me die in peace?"<ref>James H. Bailey, ''Old Petersburg'', p. 17.</ref> He and Molly were said to have been buried together, to prevent identification.<ref>Catherine Copeland, ''Bravest Surrender: A Petersburg Patchwork'' p. 38.</ref> [[Thomas Jefferson]] described him as "the proudest man of the proudest nation on earth".<ref>Davis p.XI</ref>


==References==
==References==
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{{Authority control}}
{{Persondata <!-- Metadata: see [[Wikipedia:Persondata]]. -->

| NAME =Phillips, William
| ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
| SHORT DESCRIPTION = British Army general
| DATE OF BIRTH =1731
| PLACE OF BIRTH =[[England]]
| DATE OF DEATH =13 May 1781
| PLACE OF DEATH =[[Petersburg, Virginia]]
}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phillips, William}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phillips, William}}
[[Category:1731 births]]
[[Category:1730s births]]
[[Category:1781 deaths]]
[[Category:1781 deaths]]
[[Category:American Revolutionary War deaths]]
[[Category:American Revolutionary War deaths]]
[[Category:British Army generals]]
[[Category:British Army major generals]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the American Revolutionary War]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the American Revolutionary War]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the Seven Years' War]]
[[Category:British Army personnel of the Seven Years' War]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich]]
[[Category:Graduates of the Royal Military Academy, Woolwich]]
[[Category:Royal Artillery officers]]
[[Category:Royal Artillery officers]]
[[Category:American Revolutionary War prisoners of war held by the United States]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for English constituencies]]
[[Category:Members of the Parliament of Great Britain for English constituencies]]
[[Category:British MPs 1774–1780]]
[[Category:British MPs 1774–1780]]
[[Category:Burials at Blandford Cemetery]]

[[de:William Phillips (General)]]
[[fr:William Phillips (général)]]

Latest revision as of 03:28, 19 September 2024

Not to be confused with William Edward Phillips.

William Phillips
Portrait of William Phillips, c. 1764
Born1731 (1731)
England
Died13 May 1781 (aged 49–50)
Petersburg, Virginia
Allegiance Kingdom of Great Britain
Service / branch British Army
Years of service1747-1781
RankMajor-General
UnitRoyal Artillery
Battles / wars

Major-General William Phillips (c. 1731 – 13 May 1781) was a British Army officer who served in the Royal Artillery during the American War of Independence.

Early career

[edit]
Further information: Great Britain in the Seven Years War

Phillips entered the academy at Woolwich and eventually joined the Royal Artillery. His service at the Battle of Minden led to a reputation as an excellent officer. By the outbreak of the American War of Independence he had risen to the rank of colonel in the British Army. He served as the Commander of Artillery at Woolwich and Lieutenant Governor of Windsor Castle, and was eventually elected as MP for Boroughbridge.

American War of Independence

[edit]

Phillips was promoted to the rank of Major-General and sent to Quebec in 1776, along with his friends General Henry Clinton and General John Burgoyne, to be the commander of all artillery in the province. Governor Sir Guy Carleton put him in charge of the shipyard at St. John's where, along with Captain Sir Charles Douglas, he supervised the building of the small fleet of ships that fought the Americans under Benedict Arnold at the Battle of Valcour Island. He later took part in the recapture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he stated, "Where a goat can go, a man can go. And where a man can go, he can drag a gun."

Surrender of General Burgoyne
Phillips stands just behind Burgoyne, left of center

As part of Burgoyne's army, he was captured at Saratoga in 1777. He is depicted in the painting of the Surrender of General Burgoyne by John Trumbull.[1][2] He was then a part of the Convention Army until he was exchanged for American General Benjamin Lincoln in 1780. While a prisoner in Virginia, he was one of the British officers who was entertained at the home of Thomas Jefferson. After the exchange he was able to fight once again, and was sent by Clinton from New York to meet up with Brigadier General Benedict Arnold (who was now on the British side) in Virginia.

While on his way to link up with General Cornwallis, he contracted either typhus or malaria, and became so ill that Arnold had to lead his men. He died on 13 May 1781 at Petersburg, Virginia, five months before Yorktown, and is buried there near Blandford Church.

As he lay gravely ill, in the home belonging to the Bolling family known as Bollingbrook, British forces in Petersburg were being shelled by the Marquis de Lafayette's cannons positioned in the heights north of the river, today known as Colonial Heights, Virginia. His final words — uttered after a shell struck the home and killed an African-American servant named Molly — are reputed to have been "Won't that boy let me die in peace?"[3] He and Molly were said to have been buried together, to prevent identification.[4] Thomas Jefferson described him as "the proudest man of the proudest nation on earth".[5]

References

[edit]
  • The American Revolution, Garrison Life in French Canada and New York: Journal of an Officer in the Prinz Friedrich Regiment, 1776-1783, translated by Helga Doblin (1993)
  • Davis, Robert P., Where a Man Can Go: Major General William Phillips, British Royal Artillery, 1731-1781 (1999)
  • Nelson, Paul David, General Sir Guy Carleton, Lord Dorchester (2000)
  • Pearson, Michael, Those Damned Rebels: The American Revolution as Seen Through British Eyes (1972)

Footnotes

[edit]
  1. ^ "Surrender of General Burgoyne". Aoc.gov. Retrieved 4 May 2013.
  2. ^ "Key to the Surrender of General Burgoyne". Retrieved 20 January 2008.
  3. ^ James H. Bailey, Old Petersburg, p. 17.
  4. ^ Catherine Copeland, Bravest Surrender: A Petersburg Patchwork p. 38.
  5. ^ Davis p.XI
[edit]
Parliament of Great Britain
Preceded by Member of Parliament for Boroughbridge
1775–1780
With: Anthony Eyre 		Succeeded by
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