104 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM PHILLIPS. 
He is particularly mentioned in Smollett’s History for his dis- 
tinguished services with the allies in Germany, more especially during 
the actions of Minden and Warburg. 
At the battle of Minden, Ist August, 1759, Major Phillips com- 
manded the Artillery, and His Serene Highness Prince Ferdinand, in 
thanking the troops after the battle, presented Captain Phillips with 
1000 crowns as a testimony of his great satisfaction at his gallant 
behaviour in the action, as well as a mark of his particular estecem.! 
At the Action of Warburg, 30th July, 1760, the Marquis of Granby 
stated that the British Artillery commanded by Captain Phillips made 
such expedition that they were in time to second the attack in the most 
surprising manner, and the retreat of the French was attributed to the 
effect of the British cannon and Dragoons.? No doubt Major Phillips 
shared in the other engagements of the allies of the same year, viz :— 
Emsdorff, Kloster-Kampen, Fritzlar, Cassel and Kirchdenkern. 
On the 15th August, 1760, Major Phillips was promoted to the rank 
of Lieut.-Colonel in the Army, and succeeded to the rank of Colonel 
in the same, 25th May, 1772. 
In 1776, Colonel Phillips was serving in Canada with the Army 
under Lieut.-Generals Sir Grey Carleton and Burgoyne, and at the 
Battle of Skenesborough near Ticonderoga and Mount Independence, 
North America. His Major of Brigade (Captain Bloomfield, R.A.) 
was wounded, and Captain Green, 3lst Regiment, his Aide-de-Camp, 
was killed. ‘The Artillery in this action was very numerous. 
Colonel Phillips did not succeed to a majority in the Regiment until 
26th April, 1777, while on the 29th of August of the same year he 
attained the rank of Major-General in the Army. 
In the action of Still-Water, near Saratoga, 19th September, 1777, 
Major-General Phillips commanded the left wing of the Army ; and it 
is recorded that in one instance during the battle his presence of mind 
had nearly saved the Army when, at the most critical point of time, he 
restored the action by leading up the 29th Regiment.’ 
At Saratoga, October 1777, he conducted the retreat and was the 
second senior at the Council of War, 18th October, when, from the 
strength of the Army, General Burgoyne was obliged to surrender to 
the Americans. # 
1 ¢« Superlative practice on our right by Captain Phillips,” says Carlyle, describing the effect 
of the British Artillery at Minden. 
2 Captain Phillips,” says an eye-witness, “‘ brought up the English Artillery at a gallop and 
seconded the attack of the Cavalry in a surprising manner.” 
3 This was the battle at which a Battery under Captain Thomas Jones, with Lieutenants Hadden 
and Reid, was so distinguished. Jones was killed, and ald the N.-C.O.’s and men were killed and 
wounded, except five. ‘‘ Hist. of the American War,” by C. Stedman, London, 1794, I., 338; 
‘‘ Hist. of the War with America, &c.,” by J. Andrews, LL.D., London, 1786, II., 408, 404. See 
also Duncan’s ‘“ Hist. of the Royal Artillery,” and a paper on Phillips in the “‘Proceedings,”’ 
R.A.IL., 1V., 248.—H. WV. L.A. 
4 Jt should be remembered to the honour of the American General, Gates, that he refused to 
permit his soldiers to witness the humiliation of the English as they piled their arms. See 
Stedman.—H.W.L.H. 
