Davis Brigade

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I am looking for information on the Davis Brigade. My 3rd great uncle James Phillips was in this Brigade and he was killed july3, at Gettysburg. He was in the 42 Mississippi regiment.

Here's a brief history of Mississippi units at Gettysburg: On p. 42 describes the service of Davis' brigade in "Longstreet's assault" (a.k.a. "Pickett's charge") on July 3:
W.A. Love: Mississippi at Gettysburg, Archive.org

Here is General Davis' official report of his brigade in the battle, for July 1 and July 3 (p. 650).

Brig. Gen. J.R. Davis offiical reports, Davis' Brigade:

1720280081095.png

Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis.

Davis Brigade was part of Gen. Heth's division. Here is Gen. Heth's report.
Maj. Gen. Heth official report...

1720280166944.png

Major General Henry Heth.
 
James D. Phillips of the 42nd Mississippi, according to Confederate Military History, Extended Addition, Tennessee, vol. X, pp. 671-672 (cited below), was born in McMinnville, Tennessee in 1834, and was mortally wounded while carrying the regimental colors of the 42nd Mississippi on July 3.

https://archive.org/details/confederatemilit0000unse_n0k1/page/670/mode/2up

However, Phillips' service records (Fold3, posted above) reflect that he was 23 years of age as of May 1862 and had been born in Mississippi.

It would certainly be helpful to resolve the conflicting data as I had previously cited him as a color bearer at Gettysburg:


I am thinking his service records reflect when he arrived in Mississippi (ca. 1839) from Tennessee, when he would actually have been about five years old.

If the Tennessee connection holds up, your ancestor not only fought in one of the decisive battles of the war, but also demonstrated heroic valor unto death while carrying a regimental banner into one of the most epic charges in recorded history. Something to be immensely proud of, for sure.
 
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Here's a brief history of Mississippi units at Gettysburg: On p. 42 describes the service of Davis' brigade in "Longstreet's assault" (a.k.a. "Pickett's charge") on July 3:
W.A. Love: Mississippi at Gettysburg, Archive.org

Here is General Davis' official report of his brigade in the battle, for July 1 and July 3 (p. 650).

Brig. Gen. J.R. Davis offiical reports, Davis' Brigade:

View attachment 513329
Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis.

Davis Brigade was part of Gen. Heth's division. Here is Gen. Heth's report.
Maj. Gen. Heth official report...

View attachment 513330
Major General Henry Heth.
Thank you!
 
James D. Phillips of the 42nd Mississippi, according to Confederate Military History, Extended Addition, Tennessee, vol. X, pp. 671-672 (cited below), was born in McMinnville, Tennessee in 1834, and was mortally wounded while carrying the regimental colors of the 42nd Mississippi on July 3.

https://archive.org/details/confederatemilit0000unse_n0k1/page/670/mode/2up

However, Phillips' service records (Fold3, posted above) reflect that he was 23 years of age as of May 1862 and had been born in Mississippi.

It would certainly be helpful to resolve the conflicting data as I had previously cited him as a color bearer at Gettysburg:


I am thinking his service records reflect when he arrived in Mississippi (ca. 1839) from Tennessee, when he would actually have been about five years old.

If the Tennessee connection holds up, your ancestor not only fought in one of the decisive battles of the war, but also demonstrated heroic valor unto death while carrying a regimental banner into one of the most epic charges in recorded history. Something to be immensely proud of, for sure.
Thanks for this information. I had no idea.
 
Here's a brief history of Mississippi units at Gettysburg: On p. 42 describes the service of Davis' brigade in "Longstreet's assault" (a.k.a. "Pickett's charge") on July 3:
W.A. Love: Mississippi at Gettysburg, Archive.org

Here is General Davis' official report of his brigade in the battle, for July 1 and July 3 (p. 650).

Brig. Gen. J.R. Davis offiical reports, Davis' Brigade:

View attachment 513329
Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis.

Davis Brigade was part of Gen. Heth's division. Here is Gen. Heth's report.
Maj. Gen. Heth official report...

View attachment 513330
Major General Henry Heth.
 
James D. Phillips of the 42nd Mississippi, according to Confederate Military History, Extended Addition, Tennessee, vol. X, pp. 671-672 (cited below), was born in McMinnville, Tennessee in 1834, and was mortally wounded while carrying the regimental colors of the 42nd Mississippi on July 3.

https://archive.org/details/confederatemilit0000unse_n0k1/page/670/mode/2up

However, Phillips' service records (Fold3, posted above) reflect that he was 23 years of age as of May 1862 and had been born in Mississippi.

It would certainly be helpful to resolve the conflicting data as I had previously cited him as a color bearer at Gettysburg:


I am thinking his service records reflect when he arrived in Mississippi (ca. 1839) from Tennessee, when he would actually have been about five years old.

If the Tennessee connection holds up, your ancestor not only fought in one of the decisive battles of the war, but also demonstrated heroic valor unto death while carrying a regimental banner into one of the most epic charges in recorded history. Something to be immensely proud of, for sure.
Thank you for this information.
 
Here's a brief history of Mississippi units at Gettysburg: On p. 42 describes the service of Davis' brigade in "Longstreet's assault" (a.k.a. "Pickett's charge") on July 3:
W.A. Love: Mississippi at Gettysburg, Archive.org

Here is General Davis' official report of his brigade in the battle, for July 1 and July 3 (p. 650).

Brig. Gen. J.R. Davis offiical reports, Davis' Brigade:

View attachment 513329
Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis.

Davis Brigade was part of Gen. Heth's division. Here is Gen. Heth's report.
Maj. Gen. Heth official report...

View attachment 513330
Major General Henry Heth.
Thanks for the information.
 
James D. Phillips of the 42nd Mississippi, according to Confederate Military History, Extended Addition, Tennessee, vol. X, pp. 671-672 (cited below), was born in McMinnville, Tennessee in 1834, and was mortally wounded while carrying the regimental colors of the 42nd Mississippi on July 3.

https://archive.org/details/confederatemilit0000unse_n0k1/page/670/mode/2up

However, Phillips' service records (Fold3, posted above) reflect that he was 23 years of age as of May 1862 and had been born in Mississippi.

It would certainly be helpful to resolve the conflicting data as I had previously cited him as a color bearer at Gettysburg:


I am thinking his service records reflect when he arrived in Mississippi (ca. 1839) from Tennessee, when he would actually have been about five years old.

If the Tennessee connection holds up, your ancestor not only fought in one of the decisive battles of the war, but also demonstrated heroic valor unto death while carrying a regimental banner into one of the most epic charges in recorded history. Something to be immensely proud of, for sure.
I looked up my ancestor on Ancestry.com and he is indeed the one wo fought with valor, carrying the regimental flag. Sad that he died. His brother was Benjamin A. Phillips who was my great great grandfather, glad he survived.
 
I am looking for information on the Davis Brigade. My 3rd great uncle James Phillips was in this Brigade and he was killed july3, at Gettysburg. He was in the 42 Mississippi regiment.
There are 2 monuments at Gettysburg to the Davis Brigade. One source gives the following information about Davis Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg:
Present on the first day about 2000, Killed 180, Wounded 717, Missing about 500, Total 1397

https://gettysburg.stonesentinels.com/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2015/05/DavisJ.jpg
 
@Karen Lips as you may know, the 42nd Mississippi did not see any action from its formation until Gettysburg. However, the brigade did serve as part of Longstreet's southeastern Virginia expedition in early 1863. There may be something your ancestor did during that time period.
 
There are 2 monuments at Gettysburg to the Davis Brigade. One source gives the following information about Davis Brigade at the Battle of Gettysburg:
Present on the first day about 2000, Killed 180, Wounded 717, Missing about 500, Total 1397
2000 seems to be a big brigade for a Confederate brigade at this time of the war. The other post says this was the first battle for the 42 Mississippi which meant could explain they were fully formed.
Were the other regiments in the brigade fresh troops?
 
2000 seems to be a big brigade for a Confederate brigade at this time of the war. The other post says this was the first battle for the 42 Mississippi which meant could explain they were fully formed.
Were the other regiments in the brigade fresh troops?
Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis' Brigade: 2305
Field & Staff: 6
2nd Mississippi: 492
11th Mississippi: 592
42nd Mississippi: 575
55th North Carolina: 640

The 2nd and 11th Mississippi had been in Virginia since before First Bull Run where they served in Brigadier General Barnard Bee's Brigade. They went on to serve on the Peninsula, the Seven Days, Manassas, Antietam, and Fredericksburg Campaigns. Based on their numbers at Gettysburg, they had done some recruiting between Fredericksburg and Gettysburg (in addition to returning some of the wounded from previous battles).

The 42nd Mississippi had been sent to Richmond in the aftermath of the Seven Days battles and served as guards until they were sent to Davis in December 1862. They were part of the Suffolk Campaign and went to the Army of Northern Virginia when Longstreet returned. Gettysburg would be their first real battle.

The 55th North Carolina had been sent to the Southeast Virginia/North Carolina front in the fall and winter of 1862. They joined Davis' Brigade in the spring of 1863 and went with him after the Suffolk Campaign. Like the 42nd Mississippi, Gettysburg would be their first test.

Casualties
Confederate losses for some of the regiments are a bit sketchy (no reported missing/captured for the 2nd and 42nd Mississippi which is incorrect). Take these numbers with a grain of salt and assume that they were higher.

Davis' Brigade: 1030+ (289 k, 677 w, 64+ m/c)
2nd Mississippi: 232 (56 k, 176 w)
11th Mississippi: 312 (102 k, 168 w, 42 m/c)
42nd Mississippi: 265 (75 k, 190 w)
55th North Carolina: 220 (55 k, 142 w, 22 m/c)

Ryan
 
2000 seems to be a big brigade for a Confederate brigade at this time of the war. The other post says this was the first battle for the 42 Mississippi which meant could explain they were fully formed.
Were the other regiments in the brigade fresh troops?
Yes it does. Unfortunately I don't recall which source I found the number from. Sorry.
 
I am looking for information on the Davis Brigade. My 3rd great uncle James Phillips was in this Brigade and he was killed july3, at Gettysburg. He was in the 42 Mississippi regiment.
Karen Lips I'm flying threw the thread with apologies to all if I'm repeating previously posted info. You relations unit, the 42nd Miss was involved in a famous action the first day at Gburg at the Railroad Cut. The 42nd was on the extreme right of the line meaning some were more able to escape the cut, funneling to the west and out of the cut that was previously felt to be a strong defensive position. Google the Railroad Cut-Gettysburg for more and some good maps.
Others posted this was Davis's brigades first battle. And it was quite a baptisim under fire coming up against the well-regarded 1st Union infantry corps. They were some tough, battle-hardened men, particularly Cutler's brigade and elements of the Iron brigade. Then of course, Pickett's Charge would test their mettle again and just as severely July 3rd.
 
Brigadier General Joseph R. Davis' Brigade: 2305
Field & Staff: 6
2nd Mississippi: 492
11th Mississippi: 592
42nd Mississippi: 575
55th North Carolina: 640
Thanks. Good info.
I've been following posts on FaceBook group that has some info about the 42d Mississippi and a few others. One guy is an expert on the 11th Mississippi and the University Greys. I have Dunbar Rowlands book but it usually doesnt provide regiment's strength.

It is interesting that replacement soldiers were being sent from Mississippi for these regiments.
 
Thanks. Good info.
I've been following posts on FaceBook group that has some info about the 42d Mississippi and a few others. One guy is an expert on the 11th Mississippi and the University Greys. I have Dunbar Rowlands book but it usually doesnt provide regiment's strength.

It is interesting that replacement soldiers were being sent from Mississippi for these regiments.
It also helps that they really weren't engaged between Antietam and Gettysburg. They weren't losing too many men (except to disease) and returning those wounded from earlier campaigns.

Ryan
 

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