The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1890-09-26
miscellaneous.
Captain Phil pots Coup.
Incidents of a Daring Raid Made Durins the
Late War.

Incidents of a Daring Raid Made Durins the
Late War.
Philadelphia Times.
In no part of the southean Con
federacy did the panorama of war
change so rapidly and so often as in
the Valley of Virginia. 1t was u border
land between the contending forces, into
which bands of either army sailed whenever
the opportunity offered ofcapturing detach-
ed company of the enemy or of seizing arms
and provisions. Sometimes these raiders
were successful at others the attacking party
was routed. This latter fate befell Captain
G. Blanchard Philpot, of Ashby's Brigade,
in his attempt TO capture company OF
Federal soldiers at CharlestOwn, West Virgil
MIA.
Captain Philpot was native of Frederick
county, Md. In the beginning OF the war he
crossed the line and Joined brigade of VIr-
ginians under the command ofthe handsome
and dashing cavalry officer, General Turner
Ashby, whose daring exploits as raider
have been celebrated in song and story.
In 1868 Ashby was killed and was succeed
ed by General Beverly, now of Washington,
and finally by William L. Jones, thorough
soldier, whose gallant conduct soon won the
confidence of his troops. In the spring OF
1868 the brigade was encamped near Har-
risonburg, Va General Jones was not the
man to remain long III idleness, and hearing
that a troop of Union soldiers was quartered
in very old log church, near Cumberland
GAP, he mustered every man in his brigade
fit for service and marching with them TO
that point surrounded the LuildiDg and
captured the party.
During the absence of General Jones the
camp, with few sick and wounded soldiers
some of whom were convalescent-was
left ia charge of Captain Philpot. This force
was further augmented by few stragglers
who had been absent on furlough, and tired
of inactivity and the dull routine ofcamp life,
Can't Phlpot had formed company of these
odds aud ends of the brigade, numbering
forty-five in all, and prepared for raid into
Charlestown, eighty miles distant, where one
hundred Federals had encamped in the Cou.t
House.
Ats o'clock at night ON the third day after
leaving camp Captain Philpot reached the
bank of the Shenandoah river. They found
the stream much swollen by spring rains and
apparently impossible. Awakening farmer
living near they asked him TO cross the ford
and show them tn way. This the man re-
fused to do, saying that any one who at
tempted to ford the river would be drowned.
He pointed out the direction, however, and
undaunted either by difficulty or hazard Cap
Philpot and his men plunged into the stream,
reached the opposite bank in safety and pur-
sued their march.
Upon arriving at the house of George Tate,
a mile from Charlestown, they dismounted,
tied their horses in wood and made their
way into the town. Reaching the Court
House, they found a guard posted outside.
One of Philpot's men, in disobedience to
orders, fired at this sentinel, who immediate
" returned the shot. The report Of these
discharges created general consternation.-
The Federals, suddenly aroused from their
slumbers, flew to their guns. Led by Cap
tain Philpot, his little band of followers
rushed into the Court House. Although
wounded while entering the door, tine cap
tain, still retaining command, ordered the
Federals to surrender. His plucky autagon-
isis continued tc fire, however, and forced to
resort to strategy, Philpot shouted OUT
Twelfth Regiment. Seventh Regiment,
Whites Battalion, advance and surround the
building" at the same time telling the enemy
that they were hemmed in on all sides, and
ifthey did not surrender at once the building
would be burned over their heads.
At this juncture one of PhipJts men
threw lighted match into pile OF straw
and, thinking that the threat of burning was
being put into execution, the Federals laid
down their guns and marched single file
through the Court House door. Making bis
men gather up the arms of his prisoners Phil
not marched with them to the spot where
their horses were coraled. Here every man
was required TO saddle and bride his own
horse and afterwards lead the animal by the
rein to the house of Mr.. George Tale, where
the horses of the Confederates had been left.
On reaching the Shenandoah river on the
return trip, the lieutenant in command OF the
Union troops refusing to cross, Phllpot drew
his pistol, saying quietly, Lieutenant, ford
ed this stream short time ago; intend to
cross it again, and you are going with me:
The loaded revolver, together with Philpots
cool determination, brought the officer to
terms, and again the river was safely crossed
At daylight the party halted at Piedmont
to feed their horses. Two of Philpot's men
who lived in the neighborhood went of to
see their friends. On their way they encoun-
tered two men in Confederate uniform, and
full of the triumph of the night before they
stopped their supposed friends and told them
of their exploit. Their discontinue may be
conceived when the disguised Federals, fol
such they were, drew their revolvers, and
capturing the unsuspecting Coufederates
bore them off to head quarters.
In the meantime Capt. Phllpot and his men
were pursuing their way in the direction OF
the Confederate camp. About o'clock IL
the afternoon, while stopping to water thell
horses in creek which crossed their road
they heard CHATTER of hoofs behind them, and
turning found that a regiment of Union
soldiers was upon them aud firing as they
came. Five of the Federal prisoners were
killed at the first voley, but the panic
C,,caJorotac
upon their own safety to think of then
or of the survivors, and putting spurs to theil
horses took to instant flight. Those neal
the bank farthest from the enemy retreated
in order, the rest scattered.
Phpot was pursued by eighteen men who
believed the prisoners to have been shot by
his ORDERS Fortunately for our hero hi
horse was an exp. rienced tox-hunter aDC
trained to leap fences aud bitches This gave
the Captain the advantage over his pursuer
and enabled hlm IT, make lis Escape, although
the chase was KEEP up III nigh-ih', whel
the Federa,s abandoned the pnrsi. At
| O'Clock that night he reached it larm house
and making his way to the rear OF the buiid
| ing, knocked cautiously at the door and
was opened by the farmer, who, hearing wht
Philpot was, brought him in and provided
entertainment both for himself and his Jadet
! steed. His new acquaintance informed hin
that he was a short distance from the Plains
in Fauquier county, and that there were NJ
blue coats in the neighborhood, and refresh
ed in body and relieved in mind Captain
Philpot addressed himselfto sleep. The mex
morning, fortified by substantialbrcakfas
and armed with directions from the homes
farmer, Philpot set out on his homewar
| journey. Two days travel brought him t.
the Confederate camp. His comrades-reduc