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Notable Phelps Family Members
Charles Edward Phelps, Congressman, Judge, Author
United States Representative
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| Charles Edward Phelps, Congressman, Judge, Author(2) |
The Honorable Charles Edward Phelps(1) (1833-1908) was born in Guilford, Windham County, Vt., May 1, 1833. He moved with his parents to New Jersey in 1837 and to Maryland in 1841.
He later pursued classical studies in St. Timothy's Hall, near Catonsville, Maryland, and was graduated from Princeton College in 1852. He attended the law department of Harvard University and was admitted to the bar and commenced practice in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1855. He was elected a member of the city council in 1860 and entered the Union Army on August 20, 1862, as lieutenant colonel of the Seventh Regiment, Maryland Volunteers
He was promoted to colonel April 13, 1864 and awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor March 30, 1898, for action at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House. He was later discharged for his wounds and elected as an Unconditional Unionist to the Thirty-ninth Congress and as a Conservative to the Fortieth Congress (March 4, 1865-March 3, 1869). In 1872 he was State manager, House of Reformation for Colored Children, Prince George's County.
He resumed the practice of law in Baltimore and served as commissioner of public schools. He was appointed by Governor William T. Hamilton to serve as judge on the supreme bench of the city of Baltimore 1882-1908. Part of the "New Judge movement" in 1882. He served as a member of the law faculty of the University of Maryland 1884-1907. He was a Charter Member of the Maryland State Bar Association from 1896-1897. Edward died in Walbrook, Baltimore, Maryland on December 27, 1908, and his body was interred in Woodlawn Cemetery in Baltimore.
Medal of Honor Recipient
Rank and organization(3): Colonel, 7th Maryland Infantry. Place and date: Battle of Spotsylvania Court House at Laurel Hill, Va., 8 May 1864. Entered service at: Baltimore, Md. Born: 1 May 1833, Guilford, Vt. Date of issue: 30 March 1898.
Citation: Rode to the head of the assaulting column, then much broken by severe losses and faltering under the close fire of artillery, placed himself conspicuously in front of the troops, and gallantly rallied and led them to within a few feet of the enemy's works, where he was severely wounded and captured.
(1) Biographical Dictionary of the United States Congress (October 2003)
(2) Source: Baltimore City Circuit Court Collection Artist: Arthur M. Hazard (1872-1930) Date: 1911
(3) Medal of Honor Recipients U. S. Army Official Citation (October 2003)