The Phillips family were farmers from Robeson County, North Carolina. Two sons of Jesse and Elizabeth (Betsy) Phillips, Edmund M. (b. ca. 1839)and Orren (b. ca. 1841) enlisted in as privates in Co. A, 31st North Carolina Infantry on September 6, 1861. Edmund M. Phillips died of disease at Charleston on February 21, 1863. Orren died prior to February 20, 1865 (cause not reproted). There are also letters from another son, Samuel S. Phillips, and from a nephew, John C. Barnes, who served with E. M. and Orren in the 31st NC Inf.