Hello Mr. Smith,
This elusive man, also known as M. A. Flippen and Minville Flippen, appears to be somewhat enigmatic—to say the least. According to the 1860 census records of Cumberland County, Virginia, Manville A. Flippen [born in October 1833 per the 1900 Census] lived in the household of his parents James W. and Mary Flippen. James W. Flippen, a farmer, had real estate worth over $6,000 and a personal estate worth almost $19,000. He owned 16 slaves. Manville had a personal estate worth $6,000 and was the owner of 4 slaves. The Flippen family was quite wealthy for the time.
According to Jeffrey C. Weaver, author of “Brunswick Rebel, Johnston, Southside, United, James City, Lunenburg Rebel, Pamunkey Heavy Artillery, and Young's Harborguard”, a man named “Minville Flippen” was a member of Johnston Artillery, Epe’s Battery. Flippen hired a man named Augustus Bourquin as a substitute on April 28, 1862.
See:
http://worldcat.org/oclc/35793174&tab=holdings?loc=richmond+va
The postwar rosters at the Virginia State Library, commonly referred to as the “Bidgood Papers”, lists Flippen as a member of Company D, 21st Virginia Infantry. He does not, however, appear in the Compiled Service Records of that unit. But, several Cumberland County men named Flippen do:
Allen P. Flippen
Charles Flippen
John Thomas Flippen
Richard D. Flippen
William S. Flippen
According to “Selected Records of the War Department Relating to Confederate Prisoners of War, 1861-1865” Roll # M598_121
M. A. Flippen
Private
3rd Virginia Cavalry, Company G
Captured in King William County on March 17, 1865
Released on June 4, 1865 from Point Lookout
According to “Selected Records of the War Department Relating to Confederate Prisoners of War, 1861-1865” Roll # M598_126
In prison, Flippen was in possession of $40 Confederate money and 70 cents U.S. currency.
See:
http://worldcat.org/oclc/20850290&tab=holdings?loc=richmond+va
After Manville A. Flippen’s death on November 14, 1917, Pattie P. Flippen, his widow filed pension application for his service in the 3rd Virginia Cavalry.
There is no indication that Flippen ever served in the 8th Virginia Cavalry. Hope this helps.