Phillips did not take command of the Indian Brigade until January 1863. The 1st and 2nd IHG were mustered in June 1862 immediately before Weer's Indian Expedition under colonels Furnas and Ritchie, respectively. Phillips was a major in the 1st IHG. When Drew's Regt defected and was mustered in as the 3rd IHG, Phillips was promoted to colonel. Prior to Jan 1863 the three IHG regiments were in separate brigades. Ritchie "had issues". He must have had friends in high places to have kept his commission for the duration of the war. Not only was he criticised for not controlling his troops, he apparently threw temper tantrums that made others question his sanity. It seems he was kept away from Phillips because he actually ranked Phillips but no one wanted Ritchie in command. After the Osage and Quapaw went AWOL from the 2nd IHG, the ranks were brought back up to strength with Cherokee.

Phillips went to great lengths to supply the refugees around Ft Gibson and the civilian Cherokee who had returned to their homes. After the war, he served as an attorney for the Cherokee Nation. In his relations with the Indians, he seemed to favor and support the protection of their land and sovereign governments -- not a popular stance with many politicians and speculators who hoped to gain by the removal of the Indians from both Kansas and Indian Territory. He wanted to clear the Confederate Indians from the Indian Territory and restore "loyal" governments but was prevented from doing so due to a chronic lack of good horses (and the loss of the horses of the 6th KS Cav to Watie on Bayou Menard Prairie) but also due to orders not to venture across the Arkansas. It appears the powers in Kansas didn't want to defeat/drive out the Confederate Indians and restore loyal governments because it would interfere with their plan to punish the disloyal Indians by taking their land.

Phillips was agressive and some would say brutal in dealing with the Confederate Indians. He offered amnesty to any who would defect to his command but told his troops he was not "asking them to take prisoners" which they understood to mean "don't take prisoners". Willets Battalion of the 14th KS Cav is accused of killing Confederate wounded at the Battle of Middle Boggy, presumably due to Phillips statements.

I think Phillips and Watie both stand out due to their efforts to take care of refugees, protect civilians, and as good leaders. Phillips, of course, had much more resources to do so. One last thought, Watie was the senior officer in the expedition to 2nd Cabin Creek but passed overall command to Gano. Watie performed well but Gano was in command of the expedition and at the battle and deserves some credit.