Phillip A. Work came to Texas in 1838 and represented Tyler County at the Texas Secession Convention in 1861. He raised Company F of the 1st Regiment of Hood's Texas Brigade and served as its captain. As lieutenant colonel, he commanded Hood's Texans from June 1862 to January 1864 in battles including Sharpsburg, where the brigade suffered over 82% casualties, the greatest loss for any unit in any Civil War action. Work led the Texas Brigade on the second day at Gettysburg and in the Chickamauga victory in 1863. After returning home to regain his health, he served in David S. Terry's Texas Cavalry. After the war he practiced law and was buried in old Hardin Cemetery.