Pleasant Jackson Philips (July 3, 1819 – October 12, 1876) was an American planter, banker, and soldier. He served as a Confederate colonel and brigadier general in the Georgia Militia during the American Civil War. In his capacity as a militia general, he commanded the Confederate infantry force of Georgia militia in the 1864 Battle of Griswoldville, Georgia. After the war he resumed his banking career. Early life and career Pleasant J. Philips was born in 1819 in Georgia. His surname is often recorded as 'Phillips' however his gravestone, his signature, and the dedication of a presentation sword to him all refer to 'Philips'. He was a son of Charles Phillips, an American soldier from North Carolina (member of the Georgia House of Representatives in 1821 and 1822, the Georgia Senate in 1823 and Georgia Militia general from 1825 to 1828), and his wife Anne Nicks. Pleasant Philips prospered as a plantation owner and slaveholder in Harris County, as well as the Bank of Brunswick president. He married Laura Osborne in Harris County, Georgia on November 19, 1838, according to the county's marriage records. By 1860 he had relocated to Columbus, and also was very active in the Georgia State Militia, reaching the rank of major by 1861. Civil War service When the American Civil War began in 1861, Philips chose to follow his home state of Georgia and the Confederate cause. On November 18 he was elected colonel of the 31st Georgia Infantry, assuming command of the regiment on the following day. Philips was then ordered to Savannah, Georgia, where it spent that winter. During the reorganization of the Confederate Army in the spring of 1862, Philips was not re-elected and resigned his commission on May 13. That same day Maj. Clement A. Evans was named colonel and replaced Philips in command of the 31st Georgia. After resigning Philips returned home to Columbus. On July 7, 1862, he was appointed a brigadier general in Georgia's Militia, and spent a brief period serving in Virginia. Following the 1863 reorganization of the state forces, he was appointed colonel and commander of one of Georgia's military districts. By 1864 Philips was again a brigadier general, commanding the 2nd Brigade, 1st Division of the militia. In July this force was ordered to join the Army of Tennessee during the Siege of Atlanta, attached to Bate's Division, Lt General S. D. Lee's Corps, Along