Submitted by Elaine Muldrew.
December 25, 1839 Elizabeth Cain of Marshall County married Thomas Muldrew, who had migrated from Ireland two years earlier. They lived in Wheeling and Thomas died in 1851, leaving Elizabeth with five children under eleven years of age. Elizabeth sold the home in Wheeling and moved back to Marshall County. She and her children lived on a farm where their post office was reflected as Rosby’s Rock in the 1860 census. Her children were: Abram, born 1842; Andrew, born 1843; Josephus, born 1844; Mary Jane, born 1850; and Thomas, born 1851.
Elizabeth’s three oldest sons joined the Union Army from Marshall County and she lived to see all three safely return. The following are their records as collected from the National Archives.
Abram Muldrew enlisted as a Private in Company “L”, Sixth West Virginia Infantry, October 1, 1861 at Cameron, for a period of three years. He was honorably discharged November 12, 1864 at New Creek, West Virginia. The reports of his military records were somewhat uneventful, with most listing him as present with his Company. Muster Roll of November and December 1863 listed him as “scouting in Tucker County, West Virginia”. A letter dated April 18, 1864 signed by Captain W. M. Tredway directed a hospital in Grafton to “Please admit Private Abraham Muldrew into your hospital and render him medical aid”. A book titled “Loyal West Virginia 1861-1865” by Theodore Lang relates the following: “The regiment was recruited and mustered into service with the express proviso that it was to serve as guard duty upon the lines of the Baltimore and Ohio and Northwestern Virginia Railroads. It did not, therefore share in the hurry and enthusiasm of large bodies of troops together in battle, and when a detachment of them had the good fortune to strike the enemy, they were going it alone and unobserved, and did not receive the general commendation from superior officers, or receive the plaudits of the press of the country. Realizing this, the subordinate officers in command of scouting parties or the defenders of bridges and blockhouses failed to make formal reports of such incidents, and if they did make reports, those above them seemed to regard it as unimportant, and felt some delicacy about troubling headquarters or the official records with what then appeared comparative trifles, when the current news of the day was filled with accounts of greater events. But this failure of subordinate officers to make full and complete reports operated to do injustice in the light of history to this fine regiment.”
Abram’s pension application dated July 12, 1890 declares that he is past 47 years, is 5 feet 8 inches in height, has dark complexion, dark hair, and hazel eyes. Abram was granted a pension and following his death March 15, 1903, his wife, Sarah E. Wilson Muldrew, received a widow’s pension. Abram and Sarah lived out their lives in Marshall County residing on a farm in the area of Glen Easton. Both are buried at the Fork Ridge Christian Church Cemetery. The children of Abram and Sarah E. Wilson Muldrew: Harry Clinton, Finley Oaky, and Estella.
Andrew William Muldrew enlisted as a Private in Company B, 12th Regiment of West Virginia Infantry Volunteers July 28, 1862 at Rosby’s Rock, West Virginia. He was honorably discharged June 1865 at Richmond, Virginia. His physical description at discharge was height 5 feet, 6 inches, dark complexion, black hair, gray eyes.
In 1882 Andrew applied and received a pension. A collection of seventeen documents in his file, explains his military experience and life following the war as follows. He was a sound man and never failed to do his duty until June 15, 1863. In the battle of Winchester, Virginia he injured his left testicle while climbing a stone wall at Carters Woods near Winchester while attempting an escape from the enemy. He was taken prisoner and forced to march with considerable suffering. He was held as a prisoner in Richmond at Belle Isle until mid July at which time he was exchanged. He reported to Annapolis, Maryland for medical advice and treatment, as he had contracted chronic diarrhea while in prison. He reported to his regiment in Martinsburg, but was still in great pain, as there were times when he could scarcely walk or stand alone. He was examined by Dr. S. P. Bryan and given medicine and a 20-day furlough. Upon his return he was again examined by a doctor and furlough was extended twice. By November 20, 1863 he was well enough to return to his regiment at Harpers Ferry. He remained with the regiment on light duty (when he was able) until they started in Hunter’s Raid and he was so sick he was not able to go with them. He was sent to Martinsburg Hospital in May 1864; remained about two weeks and was sent to Annapolis Junction Hospital in Maryland; remained there about four weeks. Was sent to Washington, D.C. where he remained in camp about ten days. Returned to his regiment about the 12th of August 1864. He was never hospitalized after that, but remained in ill health and on light duty until discharge.
After his service Andrew returned to Marshall County and married Mary Eliza Hurley September 3, 1869 at Fish Creek. Andrew and Mary had seven children: William P. Sheridan, Harvey Manford, James Melvin, Ora Esta, Ada May, Benjamin Franklin, Rosella Linsey.
One document dated January 3, 1912 asked Andrew to state where he has lived since his discharge from the service. His answer: “Near Rosby’s Rock, W.Va. from 1865 to 1882, then in Tyler County, W.Va. 2 years, then 1 year in Nicholas County, then 9 years in Benwood, W.Va., then back to Rosby’s Rock, W.Va. where I now live.” Andrew died January 26, 1921 in Monroe County, Ohio and was buried Mt. Rose Cemetery, Marshall County, West Virginia. Mary applied and received a widow’s pension.
Josephus Muldrew enrolled September 3, 1862 in Morgantown, but actual enlistment was shown as a Private in Company D, Third West Virginia Cavalry November 16, 1862 in Wheeling. He was honorably discharged June 13, 1865 at Wheeling. He declared his age at enlistment as 18 years and his physical description was height, 5 feet 8 inches, dark complexion, brown hair, black eyes. Josephus was taken prisoner two times while serving in the Union Army. He was first captured at Wardensville, on December 22, 1862 and taken to Richmond. He was paroled for exchange January 6,1863. He was again taken prisoner at Winchester, June 15, 1863, and paroled at City Point, Virginia July 8,1863. Note he was taken prisoner at Winchester the same day as his brother Andrew.
Josephus applied for a pension in 1892, was not approved at that time, but again applied in 1894 and was approved. The pension application of 1894 mentions his vocation as being laborer on B & O Railroad. His address listed as Roneys Point, Ohio County in 1891 and Rosby’s Rock, Marshall County in 1894. Josephus married Euphamy Lydick September 3, 1870 in Jacktown, Greene County, Pennsylvania. Their children were; Lizzie Jane, Levi, Sadia, James, and Ella May. Josephus died November 4, 1912 at Rosby’s Rock. He and his wife Euphamy are buried at Mt. Rose Cemetery, Marshall County, West Virginia.