Private Charles M. Philbrick (3rd Mass. Cav.)

Captures A Rebel Officer

    There are two accounts of the capture of a Rebel officer by Charles M. Philbrick of the 3rd Massachusetts Cavalry.  This first is found in the The War of the Rebellion:  A Compilation of the Official Records of the War of the Union and Confederate Armies.  The second is a more "colorful" version found on page 278 of The Book of Anecdotes of the Rebellion by Richard M. Devens and printed in 1867 and is as follows:

No Respect for the Tender Passion

   When the Third Massachusetts cavalry was at Louisiana, Private C. P. Philbrick, of that regiment, rode out alone one day, within the enemy's lines, and captured a rebel Colonel, with an audacity that put chivalry to an immense disadvantage.  Colonel Bradford was visiting his lovely affianced, at a plantation house four miles from Jackson, where he supposed himself entirely safe in her agreeable company, for the rebel pickets were right within call.  Philbrick, however, late at night, stole into the negro quarters, and learned from the slaves, who were always friendly, all that he wished to know.  Quietly fastening his horse, he crept to the front door, burst it open, and pistol in hand, astonished the assembled party with the sight of a Union soldier on the rampage.  The scout thundered out his orders to an imaginary company, through the back window, kicked over the whist table, smashing the goblets and a bottle of "Widow Cliquot" that had probably paid recent duty at Baton Rouge, disarmed the Colonel and took both him and his servant prisoners, mounted them on their own horses, and brought them off amid the tears and lamentations of the 'affianced' and her friends.  Through by-roads the unlucky Colonel was brought safely to camp, and was soon on his way, with a letter of introduction, to head-quarters.  The prisoner nearly ground up a fine set of natural teeth when he learnt that his amours had been broken in upon, and his capture effected, by a single soldier, armed no better than himself.  Alas!  that war should have no respect even for the tender passion!

   The "Official Records" noted a more mundane version of events:

"Port Hudson, LA., January 21, 1864 - 8:49 p.m.

General Stone,

            Chief of Staff:

Nothing of importance this evening.  Last night a rebel officer Capt. J. L. Bradford, Company F, First Mississippi Artillery, was captured at Mrs. Fluker's near Jackson, La., by Charles M. Philbrick, private, Third Massachusetts Cavalry, who was out on a scout.

                                                                                    GEO. L. ANDREWS,

                                                                                    Brigadier-General.