He's been an interesting challenge to research. I'll put him aside for a while, then come back to him occasionally.
My Jacob Phillips married Sarah A. Rubbins, who had 4 brothers (Adam, John, William and Foster) who all served in the 34th Infantry. There is more than one group of Phillips and Rubbins family's with similar first names that I come across regularly.
So, the age/date issues are important for me regarding Jacob's birth, marriage, and tracking back his parents.
If he was 21 when he enlisted in 1864, Sarah Ann (Rubbins) Phillips gave birth to her only daughter when Jacob was 14.
If he was 31 in 1864 then he and Sarah are closer in age and Sarah gave birth to a daughter when Jacob was 24.
And, to add to all this, my Jacob Phillips has an 80th NY/20th Ulster puzzle. The discharge information on the muster card seems to agree with what is written in his New Testament cover as him being in Virginia before his discharge. But I ask myself, if he is only enlisting in 1864, why is he still identifying with the 20th Ulster at that point in the war?
NEW YORK
EIGHTIETH-INFANTRY
(Three Years)
Eightieth Infantry.-Cols., Jacob B. Hardenberg, George W. Pratt,
Theodore B. Gates; Lieut.-Cols., John McEntee, Theodore B. Gates,
Jacob B. Hardenberg; Majs., John R. Leslie, Jacob B. Hardenberg,
Walter A. Van Rensselaer.
The 80th, the "Ulster Guard," was formed by the reorganization of
the 20th militia, one of the oldest militia regiments in the
state, upon its return from three months' service. It was
mustered into the U. S. service at Kingston, Sept. 20 to Oct. 20,
1861, for a three years' term, and was composed principally of
men from Ulster county.
The regiment left for Washington Oct. 26, was assigned to
Wadsworth's brigade, McDowell's division, and performed picket
duty along the Potomac. in the vicinity of Upton's hill, Va.,
during the first winter. In March, 1862, it was attached to the
1st brigade, 3d division, 1st corps, Army of the Potomac; in May
to the 2nd brigade of the same division, Department of the
Rappahannock, and in June, to the 3d brigade, 1st division, 3d
corps, with which last assignment it fought in Gen. Pope's
Virginia campaign.
At the second Bull Run the 80th lost 279 in killed, wounded and
missing, and Col. Pratt died a few weeks later of the wounds
received in that battle. It was active at South mountain and
Antietam, encamped at Sharpsburg for one week and marched through
Crampton's gap, Leesburg, Warrenton and Stafford Court House to
Fredericksburg, where it participated in the battle.
Winter quarters were established soon after near Hall's landing
and occupied until Jan. 7, 1863, when the 80th was assigned to
the provost guard brigade, with headquarters at Brooks' station
and remained on duty at army headquarters until after the battle
of Chancellorsville.
In June, 1863, the regiment was assigned to the 1st brigade, 3d
division, 1st corps, and was closely engaged at Gettysburg, where
it lost 170 killed, wounded or missing out of 287 engaged. It
suffered most severely in the repulse of Pickett's charge on the
last day.
After the battle of Gettysburg, the 80th was again ordered to
headquarters for provost guard duty and continued in this service
until the end of the siege of Petersburg, when it shared in the
final assault, April 2, 1865. From April 22 to Nov. 27, 1865, it
was stationed at Richmond and then ordered to Norfolk, where it
remained until mustered out on Jan. 29, 1866.
The total enrollment of the regiment was 2,103, of whom 128 died
of wounds and 156 from accident, imprisonment or disease. The
regiment early became known for its fine fighting qualities and
sustained a reputation for courage and steadiness under fire
throughout its long term of service, which lasted, including its
militia service, from the spring of 1861 to Jan., 1866. The
regiment is classed among the "three hundred fighting regiments."
Source: The Union Army, Vol. 2, p. 109
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NEW YORK
EIGHTIETH REGIMENT 0F INFANTRY (VETERAN).
Twentieth New York State Militia; Ulster Guard.
(Three Years)
On the return of the 20th Militia from its three months'
service, Col. George W. Pratt received authority to reorganize
it at Kingston as a regiment of volunteers, and it was mustered
in the service of the United States for three years between
September 20 and October 20, 1861. December 7, 1861, it
received its State numerical designation, and May 24, 1863, the
three years' men of the 35th Infantry. At the expiration of
its term of service the men entitled thereto were mustered out
and the regiment retained in service. November 6, 1864, a new
company joined the regiment, taking the letter I.
The companies were recruited principally in Ulster county;
quite a number of men from the neighboring counties joined the
regiment, however, and the men enlisted for James A. Raney's
Battery became part of it.
The regiment left the State October 26, 1861; served in
Wadsworth's Brigade from October, 1861; in McDowell's Division,
Army of Potomac, from November, 1861; in 2d Brigade, McDowell's
Division, Army of Potomac, from January, 1862; in Patrick's,
1st, Brigade, King's, 3d, Division, 1st Corps, Army of Potomac,
from March, 1862; in 2d Brigade, same division, Department
Rappahannock, from May, 1862; in 3d Brigade, 1st Division, 3d
Corps, Army of Virginia, from June, 1862; in same brigade and
division, 1st Corps, Army of Potomac, from September 12, 1862;
in Patrick's Provost Guard Brigade, Army of Potomac, from
January 7, 1863; in 1st Brigade, 3d Division, 1st Corps, Army
of Potomac, from June, 1863; in Provost Guard Brigade, Army of
Potomac, from July 16, 1863; in the Independent Brigade, 9th
Corps, Army of Potomac, from March, 1865; on provost duty at
City Point, Va., from April 7, 1865; at Richmond, Va., from
April 22, 1865; at Norfolk, Va., from November 27, 1865; and it
was honorably discharged and mustered out, under Col. Jacob B.
Hardenbergh, January 29, 1866, at Portsmouth, Va.
Source: Phisterer p. 2,860
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