Before the Antietam Campaign:
Formerly the Editor of the Georgia (Macon) Telegraph, and a lawyer, he was elected to the Georgia State Senate in 1859. He was elected Major of the 6th Georgia Infantry on the organization of the regiment on 26 May 1861. He was wounded in the head and leg at the Battle of Seven Pines (31 May 1862), but returned to duty in time for the Maryland Campaign.

In the Antietam Campaign:
He was next senior man, and in command of the regiment after Lt Colonel Newton was killed on 17 September, but was himself also killed in action. General DH Hill reported"The modest and heroic Major [P.] Tracy, of the Sixth Georgia, met there, too, a bloody grave. "

The remainder of the War:
His body was recovered by his uncle Judge Phineas Tracy of Batavia, NY, which is where he was buried.

Philmon Tracy