William Phillips
William Phillips
Phillips, a British Army officer and artilleryman, first saw combat at the Battle of Minden during the Seven Years War, where he received a reputation as an excellent artillery officer. Prior to the American Revolution, he served as Commander of Artillery at Woolwich. In 1776 he was promoted to Major General and sent to North America, fighting at the Battle of Valcour Island and the recapture of Fort Ticonderoga, where he famously said “where a goat can go, a man can go, and where a man can go, he can drag a gun” regarding placing cannon on the critical Mount Defiance. He was captured at Saratoga with Burgoyne’s army. After being exchanged for Benjamin Lincoln he was ordered to Virginia with Benedict Arnold (now British), fighting at the Battle of Blandford. He contracted Typhoid Fever at Petersburg, Virginia, dying on May 13, 1781.
Donate today to preserve Revolutionary War battlefields and the nation’s history for generations to come.
Related People
The American Battlefield Trust and our members have saved more than 51,000 acres in 24 states!
SEE THE LAND WE'VE SAVED
Shop and Preserve
Show your pride in battlefield preservation by shopping in our store. Every purchase supports the mission.
Give with Confidence!
The Majority of our funds go directly to Preservation and Education.