Born in Springfield, Missouri, John Elisha Phelps worked as a grocer and cattle trader before the Civil War. His father, John S. Phelps served Missouri for 18 years in the US House of Representatives and one term as Missouri Governor. At the start of the Civil War, Phelps volunteered to serve as a Union scout in southwestern Missouri and northern Arkansas. He also acted as an agent, providing Brig. Gen. Nathaniel Lyon with intelligence about enemy activity in southwestern Missouri. In February 1862, Phelps started serving as an aide to Col. Eugene A. Carr and was wounded in that capacity during the Battle of Pea Ridge. After his recovery, Phelps continued to serve as Carr’s aide and was commissioned a second lieutenant in 3d US Cavalry. In June 1863, while recovering from a bout of malaria, Phelps started recruiting what became the 2d Arkansas Cavalry. Phelps was promoted to first lieutenant in the regular army on October 1, 1863. When the 2d Arkansas Cavalry was organized in January 1864, Phelps was commissioned its colonel. On October 22, 1864, Colonel Phelps led his dismounted regiment through the streets of Independence and succeeded in capturing hundreds of Confederates. Phelps received a brevet promotion to brigadier general on March 13, 1865. After the war, Phelps returned home to work in farming and mining.
OR s1 v8, 262.
OR s1 v13, 716.
Monnett, Howard N. Action Before Westport, 1864, 87.
US Adjutant General, Official Army Register of the Volunteer Force of the United States Army for the Years 1861, ’62, ’63, ’64, ’65, Part IV, 1166.
Wikipedia. “John E. Phelps,” June 26, 2019. Link.