Thomas Phelps
Encyclopedia
Thomas Stowell Phelps was an officer in the United States Navy
. He served in the United States Navy
from 1840 to 1884, attaining the rank of Captain in 1871 and Rear Admiral
in 1884. He served in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Pacific, and commanded the sloop during the critical battle to capture Fort Fisher
in January 1865.
. He joined the Navy in 1840. He served on the Labrador Coast
and then with the Mediterranean Squadron from March 1840 to September 1843. He then served aboard the sloop in the Brazil Squadron
. He was assigned to the United States Naval Academy
in October 1843 and graduated in February 1846.
He rejoined Boston for duty as a member of the Gulf Squadron from October 1846 through February 1847, and then served aboard the from February to May 1847. After duty aboard the , the flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron from June 1849 through December 1850, he transferred to the and served in the Mediterranean Squadron from December 1850 to February 1851. He then served in the Coast Survey
from May 1851 until August 1852.
He served in the Indian War in Washington Territory
. While serving on the , he was active at the Battle of Seattle
which took place on 26 January 1856. In 1882, he wrote Reminiscences of Seattle: Washington Territory and the U. S. Sloop-of-War "Decatur" During the Indian War of 1855-56
began, Confederate
forces destroyed or sabotaged many navigational aids in the Potomac River
. Phelps was called on to use his experience conducting coastal surveys to chart the Potomac River. He was part of the expedition sent to relieve Fort Sumter
and assisted in secretly surveying and marking the Confederate coast. He later conducted a secret survey of Virginia coastal waters and was recognized by the Secretary of the Navy for his efforts.
In September 1861, he was transferred to command the steamer and surveyed and buoyed Hatteras Inlet
in preparation for Union incursions into the inlets and rivers, along with other coastal inlets. His ship engaged the Confederate gunboat in Hatteras Inlet on 14 November 1861, and skirmished with gunboats in Pamlico Sound
.
He engaged the Yorktown
and Gloucester Point
batteries
, sunk two Confederate vessels, and prevented Confederate forces from destroying White House Bridge
during April and May 1862. Phelps was promoted to lieutenant commander in July 1862 and was charged with surveying and charting coastal waters for blockades and navigational purposes. He commanded the sloop during the successful attack on Fort Fisher
, which had been protecting blockade runners' vital access to the Confederate port at Wilmington, North Carolina
until it was capture by the Union
in 15 January 1865. This was the last supply route open to Robert E. Lee
's Army of Northern Virginia
.
During the Battle of West Point
on 16 April 1865 in West Point, Georgia
, he prevented a large force of Confederate forces from joining with their main army. In 1865, he was commissioned commander
, promoted to captain in 1871, to commodore in 1879, and rear admiral
in 1884, and retired in 1885. Phelps died in the Naval Hospital in New York City
on 10 January 1901 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
(Section 1 grave 504).
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
. He served in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
from 1840 to 1884, attaining the rank of Captain in 1871 and Rear Admiral
Rear Admiral
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. It is generally regarded as the lowest of the "admiral" ranks, which are also sometimes referred to as "flag officers" or "flag ranks"...
in 1884. He served in the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Pacific, and commanded the sloop during the critical battle to capture Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865....
in January 1865.
Service prior to the Civil War
Phelps was born in Buckfield, MaineBuckfield, Maine
Buckfield is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Buckfield is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area. It is a member of Maine School Administrative District 39 along with nearby Hartford and Sumner...
. He joined the Navy in 1840. He served on the Labrador Coast
Labrador
Labrador is the distinct, northerly region of the Canadian province of Newfoundland and Labrador. It comprises the mainland portion of the province, separated from the island of Newfoundland by the Strait of Belle Isle...
and then with the Mediterranean Squadron from March 1840 to September 1843. He then served aboard the sloop in the Brazil Squadron
Brazil Squadron
The Brazil Squadron, the Brazil Station, or the South Atlantic Squadron was an overseas military station established by the United States in 1826 to protect American commerce in the South Atlantic during a war between Brazil and Argentina...
. He was assigned to the United States Naval Academy
United States Naval Academy
The United States Naval Academy is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located in Annapolis, Maryland, United States...
in October 1843 and graduated in February 1846.
He rejoined Boston for duty as a member of the Gulf Squadron from October 1846 through February 1847, and then served aboard the from February to May 1847. After duty aboard the , the flagship of the Mediterranean Squadron from June 1849 through December 1850, he transferred to the and served in the Mediterranean Squadron from December 1850 to February 1851. He then served in the Coast Survey
U.S. National Geodetic Survey
National Geodetic Survey, formerly called the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey , is a United States federal agency that defines and manages a national coordinate system, providing the foundation for transportation and communication; mapping and charting; and a large number of applications of science...
from May 1851 until August 1852.
He served in the Indian War in Washington Territory
Washington Territory
The Territory of Washington was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 8, 1853, until November 11, 1889, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Washington....
. While serving on the , he was active at the Battle of Seattle
Battle of Seattle (1856)
The Battle of Seattle was a January 26, 1856 attack by native Americans upon Seattle, Washington. At the time, Seattle was a settlement in the Washington Territory that had recently named itself after Chief Seattle , a leader of the Suquamish and Duwamish peoples of central Puget Sound.Backed by...
which took place on 26 January 1856. In 1882, he wrote Reminiscences of Seattle: Washington Territory and the U. S. Sloop-of-War "Decatur" During the Indian War of 1855-56
Action during Civil War
When the American Civil WarAmerican Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
began, Confederate
Confederate States of America
The Confederate States of America was a government set up from 1861 to 1865 by 11 Southern slave states of the United States of America that had declared their secession from the U.S...
forces destroyed or sabotaged many navigational aids in the Potomac River
Potomac River
The Potomac River flows into the Chesapeake Bay, located along the mid-Atlantic coast of the United States. The river is approximately long, with a drainage area of about 14,700 square miles...
. Phelps was called on to use his experience conducting coastal surveys to chart the Potomac River. He was part of the expedition sent to relieve Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter
Fort Sumter is a Third System masonry coastal fortification located in Charleston Harbor, South Carolina. The fort is best known as the site upon which the shots initiating the American Civil War were fired, at the Battle of Fort Sumter.- Construction :...
and assisted in secretly surveying and marking the Confederate coast. He later conducted a secret survey of Virginia coastal waters and was recognized by the Secretary of the Navy for his efforts.
In September 1861, he was transferred to command the steamer and surveyed and buoyed Hatteras Inlet
Hatteras Inlet
Hatteras Inlet is a estuary in North Carolina, located along the Outer Banks, separating Hatteras Island and Ocracoke Island. It connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Pamlico Sound. Hatteras Inlet is located entirely within Hyde County.- History :...
in preparation for Union incursions into the inlets and rivers, along with other coastal inlets. His ship engaged the Confederate gunboat in Hatteras Inlet on 14 November 1861, and skirmished with gunboats in Pamlico Sound
Pamlico Sound
Pamlico Sound in North Carolina, is the largest lagoon along the U.S. East Coast, being long and 24 to 48 km wide. It is a body of water separated from the Atlantic Ocean by the Outer Banks, a row of low, sandy barrier islands, including Cape Hatteras. The Neuse and Pamlico rivers flow in...
.
He engaged the Yorktown
Yorktown, Virginia
Yorktown is a census-designated place in York County, Virginia, United States. The population was 220 in the 2000 census. It is the county seat of York County, one of the eight original shires formed in colonial Virginia in 1634....
and Gloucester Point
Gloucester Point, Virginia
Gloucester Point is a census-designated place in Gloucester County, Virginia, United States. The population was 9,429 at the 2000 census. It is also home to The College of William & Mary's Virginia Institute of Marine Science, a graduate school for the study of oceanography.-Geography:Gloucester...
batteries
Artillery battery
In military organizations, an artillery battery is a unit of guns, mortars, rockets or missiles so grouped in order to facilitate better battlefield communication and command and control, as well as to provide dispersion for its constituent gunnery crews and their systems...
, sunk two Confederate vessels, and prevented Confederate forces from destroying White House Bridge
White House Bridge
White House Bridge was located west of Luray, Virginia over the South Fork of the Shenandoah River. During the American Civil War, on 2 June 1862, Stonewall Jackson's cavalry chief Turner Ashby burned this bridge to slow down Federal pursuit of their forces. The battles of Cross Keys and Port...
during April and May 1862. Phelps was promoted to lieutenant commander in July 1862 and was charged with surveying and charting coastal waters for blockades and navigational purposes. He commanded the sloop during the successful attack on Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher
Fort Fisher was a Confederate fort during the American Civil War. It protected the vital trading routes of the port at Wilmington, North Carolina, from 1861 until its capture by the Union in 1865....
, which had been protecting blockade runners' vital access to the Confederate port at Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington is a port city in and is the county seat of New Hanover County, North Carolina, United States. The population is 106,476 according to the 2010 Census, making it the eighth most populous city in the state of North Carolina...
until it was capture by the Union
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
in 15 January 1865. This was the last supply route open to Robert E. Lee
Robert E. Lee
Robert Edward Lee was a career military officer who is best known for having commanded the Confederate Army of Northern Virginia in the American Civil War....
's Army of Northern Virginia
Army of Northern Virginia
The Army of Northern Virginia was the primary military force of the Confederate States of America in the Eastern Theater of the American Civil War, as well as the primary command structure of the Department of Northern Virginia. It was most often arrayed against the Union Army of the Potomac...
.
During the Battle of West Point
Battle of West Point
The Battle of West Point was fought on April 16, 1865 in West Point, Georgia, during General James H. Wilson's raid of the south during the American Civil War. This battle was fought at Fort Tyler seven days after Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S...
on 16 April 1865 in West Point, Georgia
West Point, Georgia
West Point is a town in Troup County, with a small tail of the south end of town in Harris County, in the U.S. state of Georgia. As of the 2000 U.S. Census, this town had a total population of just 3,382 people...
, he prevented a large force of Confederate forces from joining with their main army. In 1865, he was commissioned commander
Commander
Commander is a naval rank which is also sometimes used as a military title depending on the individual customs of a given military service. Commander is also used as a rank or title in some organizations outside of the armed forces, particularly in police and law enforcement.-Commander as a naval...
, promoted to captain in 1871, to commodore in 1879, and rear admiral
Rear admiral (United States)
Rear admiral is a naval commissioned officer rank above that of a commodore and captain, and below that of a vice admiral. The uniformed services of the United States are unique in having two grades of rear admirals.- Rear admiral :...
in 1884, and retired in 1885. Phelps died in the Naval Hospital in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
on 10 January 1901 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
(Section 1 grave 504).