Jacob was a very close friend and business partner of his cousin, Patrick Martin Stevens, born just a few weeks ahead of him in October 1823. Together they bought land in in Bolivar Co., Mississippi, on the banks of the Mississippi River during the settling and clearing of the vast Yazoo Delta country. They endured flood after flood, and eventually had to put the land up for sale at some point after or during the war.

Jacob was killed at Second Manassas. We have his letters home to Pat. He died leading the Oglethorpe Rifles of the 8th Georgia Regt. as their Captain. General Beauregard saluted the Regiment for its conduct that day.

Phinizy, Jacob -- 1st Lieutenant May 15, 1861. Elected Captain August 1861. Killed at 2d Manassas, Va. August 30, 1862. (From the Records.) "The Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, US Government, Series 1, volume 12, Part 1., Capt. Phinizy was reported killed in action 30 Aug. 1862 during the second battle of Manassas, in the 8th Georgians in Longstreet's command."

Brigade commander "Tige" Anderson wrote: "I placed my brigade in line on the field, my left regiment being the 8th Georgia, Lt. Col. John R. Towers commanding. [O.R. Series I, Vol. 12, Part 2, pg. 593]. The 8th Georgia sustained losses of 8 killed, 54 wounded at the Battle of Second Manassas. Officers killed at the battle were Captain J. M. C. Hulsey and Captain Phinizy, Aug. 30th. [O.R. Series I, Vol. 12, Part 2, pg. 560 and pg. 816]

So far as I know, Jacob left no wife or children, although the family notes that he had completed a home for his bride-to-be just before he left for Virginia. His letters from Mississippi and various Virginia locations before and during the war were preserved by Pat, passed to his son and thence to me. They cover the period 1858 to his death.
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His war letters are below, and courtesy of my wife Isabel, who has helped me record them. There are eleven, and the last is in August, 1862. They are addressed to the "Hon. P. M. Stevens, Bairdstown, Ga." They are recorded as accurately as we can, and when a word is in doubt, there will appear a question mark in brackets [?]. There is also a scanning of this first letter at my home page on the Family Tree Maker site in the photos there. Search on Jacob Phinizy. His photo is also there. This might be the ambertype he sends to Matt in July 1861.
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Richmond, Va.
June 4th 1861

Dear Pat.

Col. Bartow received orders last night to start his Regiment today for Harpers Ferry, for which place we leave this evening -- You will direct your letters to me at Harpers Ferry Va, to the care of Capt Lumpkin, Oglethorpe Rifles, Bartow’s Regiment. There has been some fighting near the Manassas Junction, by which we will pass, between two companys, which were schirmishing. Some 12 or 15 of US soldiers were killed, the exact number not yet known. The Capt only of the C.S. company (Capt Marr) was killed, it was day before yesterday that it occured. It is believed here that Lincoln has 6000 soldiers now within eleven miles of Manassas Gap. There is a report, which Col Bartow, believes to be true, that on yesterday morning one of the South Carolina Regiments met with a Battalion of the US Soldiers who were endeavring to get to the camp of Marr’s Company, killing a large number of the Battalion so this news as yet is not fully confirmed.
I have a note in the State Bank at Athens it will be due on the 25th of this month. I have thought is best to give a draft on our merchant in New Orleans for the amount 800$ - which you will find enclosed. I would also like to pay the following debts 280$ due S C Reese in Athens, 750$ due W H Dorsey in Athens, I have promised to pay Tom Farnbrough 300$ as soon as we sell our cotton, I also owe W K Hill & co 800$ which ought to be paid. I have no chance to pay all of these debts without drawing on S.O. Nelson & c for funds to pay them. What do you think of drawing on them? I am willing to pay them the customary rates for the money. Write to me all about my affairs & write often. I will write to you again as soon as I get leisure -
yr aft cousin
Jacob Phinizy
my love to cousin Mat & children

PS. Send this draft F W Adams Cook[?] State Bank in Athens with which my note will be paid
J.P.

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Bunkers Hill Va
June 17th 1861

Dear Pat

I wrote to you from Richmond enclosing you my draft on S.O. Nelson & Co for 800$ to pay my note in State Bank in Athens, also concerning such debts of mine that should be paid if possible - suggesting to you a plan to get the money to pay them & asking your opinion as to the plan etc - The mails being so irregular that it is possible that you have not received it --fearing that you have not I write by M.P. Davis who leaves today for home. In addition to the Bank Debt I owe the following debts which I would like to pay to S C Reese in Athens 280$, to W C Dorsey Athens 750$. I have promised to pay T Farnbrough 300$. I also owe W K Hill & Co. about 800$ which ought to be paid. The plan I suggested to get the money was to draw on S O Nelson & co. I am desirous of paying the debts above specified & would be willing to give the customary notes of percentage for the money. Let me hear from you on the subject. We left Harpers Ferry day before yesterday morning after burning up the Public property for Winchester. After one days march we heard of the enemy about 18 miles from this place & turned our course for Williamsport at which place the enemy is at this time under Gen Patterson (18000). We have now encamped 17 regiments all of which left Harpers Ferry together. We leave this morning for Williamsport & will It is thought meet the enemy tomorrow.
I have not had a letter from you since I left. I foresee that I will not receive one soon as the mails have stoped in this section of the state. … [?] enclosing your letter to Wm Holt Richardson, Richmond Va. I write to him today concerning my letters, direct it to me to the care of Col. Bartow, as I will probably receive it directed to his care. Scarcely any letters directed to the care of the captain are received by the volunteers - My love to cousin Matt & children

yr aft cousin
Jacob Phinizy
Mr. Jacob Phinizy
Col Bartows Reg
Va

Care of-
William Holt Anderson
Richmond Va
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Camp 4 miles from Winchester Va
July 3rd 1861

Dear Cousin Matt

I am in receipt of your letter by hands of Mr C J Landrum. I assure you that it afforded me pleasure to hear from you & would like to hear from you often. I sent by Mr M M Landrum an amnesty. He left today for Ga having been discharged from the service on account of his health. I would have written to you by him but for the fact that I had not time to do so after marching down this morning, the whole army was ordered to march to Martinsburg where I was in town. We are now encamped 4 miles on the road to Martinsburg. The enemy crossed the Potomac yesterday, under the command of Gen Paterson - supposed to be 15000, we have now near them 5000, & about 8000 are south. The distance from this point is 18 miles. We have just learned that an engagement took place this morning between one of our regiments & the advance body of the enemy. Three of our men were killed & 5 wounded. Two of the wounded passed our Brigade about an hour ago for Winchester, we hear from them & passengers in the stage that 47 of the enemy were taken prisoner and will reach Winchester tonight. The engagement lasted but a short time, our Reg having retreated. We are anxious to meet the enemy & will probably do so tomorrow or next day. The 9th Ga Reg has been attached to our Brigade, the Irwin Guards are in this Reg.
Please say to Pat that I wish him to purchase corn for my place, also order bacon from I B Walker & co whenever needed.
My love to the children- Yr affectionate cousin
Jacob Phinizy

Direct your letters to me
to Winchester Va 8th Ga Reg.
Tell Pat to write to me often -
JP
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Darkesville, Berkeley Co., Va
July 5, 1861

Dear Pat

Your letter of June 22d reached me at this place today. I received a letter from Cousin Matt during your abscence in Mississippi informing me that my letter written to you from Richmond had come to hand in which letter I gave you a statement of debts which I would like, if possible, to pay off. You inform me that you had not sent to Athens the draft which I sent you to pay off my note in Bank -- that money matters were very tight etc, I wish you and I believe you will do the best you can for me in managing my business during my absence from home. You have already advanced money for me to buy corn & will as you inform me have more to buy. I will as soon as I receive any money from the Government send you as much as I can spare. I write today to Marco requesting him again as a special favor to pay the note you hold against him. We reached here July 3rd. Our army consists of 12000 besides the militia of the surrounding counties. Generals Cadwallader & Patterson have as you are no doubt apprised crossed the river at Williamsport & are now in possession of Martinsburg, which is six miles from this place, their forces are supposed to number from 15 to 18000 men now and are probably being reinforced everyday. The town of Martinsburg is built of stone, the enemy being in possession of the town and having thrown up breastworks on the north side, it will it is supposed be very difficult to drive them out. We expected on yesterday morning to continue our march to Martinsburg & make an attack, we also expected to receive orders this morning but were again disappointed. There is a good deal of complaint against Gen Johnson for not making an attack on yesterday, the soldiers are becoming discouraged, we all are in hopes that the battle will come off to-morrow.
You mention in your letter that there are various reports in circulation at times in regard to our company. I have before been apprised by my friends at home concerning the contents of letters written by some of the company to their parents - the treatment they have received from Capt Lumpkin & myself & today I was shown a letter received by one of our company concerning these reports & Capt L. All that I have to say about them is this, that since I have been in the service, I have tried faithfully to do my duty, as an officer, have endeavored to treat all of the company alike, and have taken especial pains to show no partiality, some few of the company may have expected of me to show them more favor than I could grant them & perhaps have become slightly offended in consequence. I have had all this drilling of the company to do for the month, Capt Lumpkin having drilled the company but once, Lieut Hunter some two or three times. Capt Lumpkin has been, since he has heard of the reports, concerned on the subject, and has taken some pains to blame those who were interested in putting these in circulation. You can (if necessary) assure those who are concerned, that I will continue to do my duty to the best of my ability & will see, so far as I can, that none of the company are badly treated. Up to day before yesterday Capt Lumpkin & myself have gotten on finely - as pleasantly as either of us could have desired. He treated myself & the other commissioned officers as I conceived our duty [?], the matter is however I hope amicably settled.
We left several of our company in Winchester on the sick list C J Landrum is there slightly unwell & waiting on the others B.F. Mills is sick with measles also R. M. Jackson & R. W. Whelless, J P Young (Macks son) is also there - has been sick for 4 or 5 weeks is now improving. J. Madison Young & Matt Jackson are also there taking care of company property & visiting the sick. Mark Jewell & John Young whom we left in Winchester on sick list reached us to-day.
I sent by M M Landrum my ambertype to Cousin Matt & wrote to her from camp 4 miles from Winchester Sunday [?]. My love to cousin Matt & children write to me often
yr affectionate cuz Jacob Phinizy
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Winchester Va
July 16th 1861

Dear Pat

I have written you several letters since I left Ga - have received but one from you. The enemy left Martinsburg yesterday morning and are now encamped in 8 miles of this place. Col Stewarts Regiment of Cavalry met them to-day about 12 o'clock & were routed, losing two men, one taken prisoner & several horses killed. Our Brigade left our camp, one mile east of this place, last night about dark & have been here all day behind the Breastworks awaiting the approach of the enemy. The breastworks extend for more than a mile on the northern & eastern part of the town, we have several 42 pounders mounted on the Breastworks & a number of smaller ones. We have just been informed by our Col. who is acting as Brigadier Gen. that if we are not attacked to-night, that the whole army here, will leave the entrenchments tomorrow for the purpose of attacking them. The forces now here under Gen Johnson is supposed to be 20000 effective men. Two Regiments came in this evening, one from North Carolina, the other from N. Alabama. There is a great deal of sickness among our soldiers, the prevailing disease is measles. There are over two hundred cases in our Regiment, we have 22 cases in our company, all of them are quartered in town in private houses. Mills recovered from his attack of measles, but from imprudent eating and exposure relapsed & is now quite sick. I have not seen him since yesterday evening, he is reported this evening as being worse, we sent to-night an extra nurse to wait on him. We have but 39 privates in our company able to do duty. Those of our company who are sick, are paying 15$ per month for board. This amount exceeds their monthly wages, can you not raise by subscription in the neighborhood money enough to pay their board during their sickness? We have not as yet sent a single one to a Hospital, preferring to send them to private houses where they are better taken care of. At the Hospital only one nurse is allowed to nine cases. The Hospitals & private houses are full & it is now with difficulty that the sick can be quartered. There are however many families leaving town this evening. Their houses will be taken for Hospitals. I wrote to Smith a few days ago directing him to give my negroes, as usual, a Barbecue when he lays by his crop. After he lays by I want him to move the stables & cribbs to the level ground in the corner of the cut which is between the spring & the house - (next to Jack Lot) I wish the stable to be converted into a Barn & new Pine Log stables built, on the plan of yours. You will please select yourself the spot to put the buildings on. Let me hear from you - write me concerning our crop in Miss- My love to cousin Matt & children

yr aft cousin
Jacob Phinizy
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Camp Bartow near Manassas Junction Va
Aug 26th 1861

Dear Pat

I am in receipt of your letters by M P Davis informing me that they were all well at my house & concerning matters generally - I wrote to Smith several weeks ago requesting him to inform me whether I could employ him for another year, his terms, etc. I have not heard from him on the subject. You will do me a favor by employing him for me making the trade with him as you would for yourself. I also wrote to him that you had suggested that the stables could not be finished on account of not having help enough, & directed him to do as you directed concerning the work. You enclosed me a letter from Lindsay, he wishes to know whether you wish to employ him for another year. I thought favorably of him from what I saw of him as an overseer, you have however, seen as much of him & know more about him than I do, you must therefore exercise your pleasure as to employing him. I received a letter from him yesterday he said nothing on the subject. He informs me that the corn crop is not very good, having suffered for rain, that he will make over a bale of cotton to the acre, the health of the negroes very good, the mule that has been astray so long, he has got home, the stock were doing very well.
The most of the troops have removed from this neighborhood & are now in the neighborhood of Fairfax C.H. Our Brigade & Toombs are near together we are encamped 4 miles from Manassas on the Manassas & Alexandria Rl Rd, 23 miles from Alexandria. We have no idea when we will move, nor do we know anything of the plans of the Commanding Officer, all we know, as a Mississippi Col said a few weeks a few weeks[sic] ago is "to march when we are told to march, halt when we are halt[sic] & fight when we are told to fight". Frank Ayers, from Rome Ga is Quarter Master for our Regiment, which fact I have not mentioned to you before. I see a good deal of him, is very popular as a Quarter Master.
I understand that the Ladies of our neighborhood have associated themselves in a society for the purpose of making up clothing for our company. I would suggest to them through you, if it is their purpose to furnish clothing for the whole company, that the pants & coats should all be of the same color, it has been agreed upon by the officers of the Regiment to have each company uniformed as near alike as practicable, they have agreed that the uniforms shall be Grey. Our company has now 48 suits of grey cassi[---]s (Roswells[?] Factory) but very little worn, if our friends would purchase for us enough of this goods to make suits for the balance of the company & have them make up & forwarded on to us, we will send them on the money to pay for the cloth etc, mention the subject to Captain W B Brightwell.
I received safely the box of good things which Cousin Matt sent me which we have enjoyed very much - My love to her & the children, Write often

Your aft cousin
Jacob Phinizy

PS
There is some sickness in our company, T R Maxey, L.P. Moore & R. Eidson are worse off than the rest. They are not however very sick, Eidson is not in camp, I have not heard from him in several days. E Lunceford is suffering a good deal now from his wound, as I am informed today. JP
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Camp Bartow, near Manassas Junction, Va
Sept 9th 1861

Dear Pat

Enclosed I send you a Power of Attorney, with which if properly signed & returned to me I can draw the money, due the Estate of B F Mills Decd, by the Government for his services in the army. After it is collected it can be sent safely to the administrator on his Estate by the by the Southern Express Co, please hand the Power of Attorney to his Bro in Law Mr Kinnebrew.
We will move forward in a day or two to Centreville. Our forces are occupying & fortifying several Hills in sight of Washington City & Arlington Heights.
We have a good deal of sickness in our company. The most of the cases are Typhoid Fever. I am in receipt of your letter dated Aug 26th enclosing one from Lindsay - will write to you soon - my love to Cuz Matt & children.
yr aff cousin
J Phinizy

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Camp near Fairfax Va
Oct 11th 1861

Dear Pat

In my last letter to you I requested you to send to me from my house 1 pair Blankets, 1 pr new Black Bearer[?] cloth pants & 2 winter vests in addition to the above you will please send me my overcoat, 2 white shirts & 3 or 4 towels.

Lt James Young would be obliged to you if you would call at his house & request his wife to send him drawers, shirts & socks. Send them in my package. Direct the package to Manassas Junction. We returned on Sunday night from picket duty near Falls Church, upon reaching our camp we found that all of the sick & those noncombatants left in charge of the camp, excepting a few, had been removed to Manassas. Our surplus baggage & tents has also been sent to Manassas for storage.

W. A. Edwards will return to Ga in a few days & will hand you one Hundred Dollars which you will place to my credit.

You will confer a favor by informing me what articles of clothing our friends are preparing & will send to the company, so that I may know what to provide for their wants. I am in receipt of a letter from I B Walker & Sons, informing me that they had on hand a lot of Gunny Bagging, if you have not bought for me, it would be nice for you to buy from them without delay. We are informed here that you are elected to represent our county. I congratulate you on the event. We are not informed who is elected to serve with you in the house, nor are we informed who is elected Senator. I hope that Echols is elected.

Let me know in your next the particulars concerning my crop. May love to Cousin Matt & the children

yr aft cousin
Jacob Phinizy
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Richmond Va
April 5th, 1862

Dear Pat

Enclosed you will find Two Hundred Dollars, which you will pay out as follows, pay my rcpt with G R Marcrom [?] for molasses flour etc, pay Smith his wages for last years services, pay Maxwell $20.00, on note he holds against me for the hire of negro girl last year, pay M P Davis $5.00 which he advanced for me on subscription list - The balance of funds you can pay out as you think best.

If you go to Miss this Spring, you will oblige me by taking him & child & Bob with you, if practicable, & bring back Isaac, the difference in the exchange I will settle with you for satisfactorily. I reached this place last Sunday night. The recruits were detained here until Thursday procurring accoutrements. I sent them on with Sgt Harrison to camps (Orange C.H.) on Thursday evening. Owing to the great press of business now on the different departments, I have not been able to get through with my business - will probably get through today & leave for Camps tomorrow. The enemy landed a large number of troops at Old Point yesterday, a part of Gen Johnsons army has been ordered to the Peninsular & will pass through this city to day for Yorktown, a fight is expected to take place in a few days. My love to Cousin Matt & the children. Direct your letters for the present to Orange Court House.

yr aft cousin
J Phinizy

N.B. Enclosed you will find a letter which you will please hand to A.W. Smith
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Camp near Malvern Hill
August 1st 1862

Dear Pat. I am in receipt of your letter of the 13th ult. Since receiving it I have received two others from you - one bearing date June 28th, the other July 5th enclosing a letter from Goss. [?]

Since returning to camps I have entirely recovered my health & strength. I am now as stout as ever. The health of my company has improved since we have been moving about, fighting, marching, doing Picket duty etc. Our Division (Anderson & Toombs Brigades), is now in camp 10 miles from the city, 2 1/2 miles from Malvern Hill, at which place the last Battle was fought on the 1st July. From the range of hills in front of us, the River can be seen, which is but two miles from our camp. We are 15 miles below Drewry's Bluff, by the river. Two regiments from our Division were sent to Malvern hill to-day, to perform Picket Duty for three days. They will be relieved by other Regiments from our Division. We have a fine camping ground which we will probably occupy for some time - good water, new tents & are near enough to Richmond to get vegetables & fresh meats occasionally. You write me that you have taken the mare Puss to your house for Sue & Bell to ride to school. I am glad that you have done so - you can keep her as long as you have any use for her. I would like for you to have her put to a horse. Also the other two mares. I am willing to take the price you are asking for the Jack - sell him a whatever price you think he is worth. I have no idea of the value of such property now. I do not wish to sell the young one, he promises to be a Jack of good size. I instructed Smith when I left home to keep him separated from the Jennetts, if he has not done so please see that he does. I instructed to put the Jennetts to Aycocks horse. I do not know whether he has done so or not. Let me know what are my prospects for a crop of corn & cotton - how much wheat & oats was made & how many hogs there is to fatten on the place. You write me that the meat will give out soon - I wish you to keep the place supplied with meat. Would it not be a good plan on the score of economy, to buy two or three young beeves & give half allowance of Bacon & Half of Beef.

I send today by Express to T Fleming $315, $100 of which I send to you, to be used for me as you think best. Tell Sue & Bell that the socks which they knit for me have proven to be good ones, not worn out yet.

My love to Cousin Matt & the children,
yr aff cousin
J Phinizy
Cousin Matt seems to be a poor correspondent, it has great while since I had a letter from her.
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Richmond Va
August 4th 1862


Dear Pat

I reached the city yesterday & will leave for Weldon N.C. to-day to look after a Box of clothing for my company, left at Weldon by M P Davis. Since I have reached the city, I have met with several acquaintances from Ga who inform me that property of every description have gone up in Georgia in consequence of the abundance of money. I am informed that Land is selling at high prices & in demand. This being the case it may be that you can get a good price for my Campbell place. Let me know if there is any chance to sell it & what price you think it ought to bring under the present circumstances. I am told that Horses are very high in Ga, as they are here & every where else. Would it not be for the best for you to sell the Adkins Horse. If he can be spared from the place, sell him for the best price you can get.

When I left home I left my Pistol in the Bureau draw in my room. Please send it to me by the first opportunity. J R Hall, Brightwell, & Moore are at home on Furlough. Send it by one of them. Cant you send me one or two Boxes of Peaches if so direct them to me to the care of Pulliam & Co. also send me a Box of Tomatoes not quite ripe - we buy them almost every day at 10 cts apiece.

My love to Cousin Matt & the children. Tell cousin Matt to write

your affec cousin
Jacob Phinizy
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In "A History of the Oglethorpe Rifles" by Thomas D. Gilham , he writes:

"The next day we arrived at Manassas the second time in our history. We changed positions with the Yankees and whipped them badly. Here our Company lost Captain Phinizy, a gallant soldier and a good commander. He looked closely to the welfare of his men and they loved him. Lieutenant T. J. Bowling was wounded, James Butler lost a leg and died. Among the wounded were Thomas A. Gilham, L. B. Edwards, J. A. Christopher, David Christopher, M. L. Jewell, and T. D. Gilham. After this fight our Company was without officers, so a few days after B. F. Gilham was elected Lieutenant."

1. Title: Joan Doughty, op. cit.
2. Title: The Official Records of the War of the Rebellion, US Government, Series 1, volume 12, Part 1.
   Text: Capt. Phinizy was reported killed in action 30 Aug. 1862 during the second battle of Manassas, in the 8th Georgians in Longstreet's command.
3. Title: The Phinizy family