Phelps was born in Guilford , Vermont , the son of Judge John and Lucy ( Lovell ) Phelps . He was appointed to the United States Military Academy on July 1 , 1832 , and graduated on July 1 , 1836 , with the brevet rank of Second Lieutenant , and was assigned to the 4th U.S. Artillery . He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on July 28 , 1836 . He fought in the Creek and Seminole War in 1838 , and participated in the Trail of Tears that same year
Trail of Tears
Trail of Tears
John W. Phelps