Canups in 

The War Between the States

Visit our Canups in the Revolutionary War page.

Special thanks to R.E. Canup for his research and text

Canups have fought in virtually all the wars that the United States has been in. Since they arrived in the early 1700's they have been available. The US has never been a country that ignored available soldiers. Most recently Canups have been stationed in the Middle East. Prior to that they served, fought and died in Vietnam. There were Canups in the military during the time of the Korean Conflict. Certainly during WWII and WWI. There are several serving in the armed forces now. (see CanupLink)

Most of the Canup families participated in the War Between the States, sometimes, both father and sons enlisted. They fought on both sides. There was even a case where a father fought for the North while his sons had fought for the South. As a matter of fact it was literally brother versus brother.

Noah (Terry Lee Canup's Great Great Grandfather) lived in North Carolina and fought for the Confederacy. His brother, Caleb Canup (both Terry W. Canup and Terry K. Canupp's Great Great Grandfather) lived in Southern Illinois. He fought for the Union Army. Both men lost their lives, Caleb died of disease, Noah was wounded, captured and died in prison camp.

As a matter of fact, 12 male Canups, three of them brothers, lost their lives from one region of North Carolina alone. Some took sick and died, some were captured and died in prison camp, and some were killed in battle. We have found almost 40 Canups participating as soldiers in the War of Secession! This is one reason that the family spread out, as their widows and children were sent to live with other relatives around the country. Additionally, the numbers of Canups alive today was significantly reduced due to the deaths of so many males during what is also known as the Civil War.

Most of the Confederate soldiers were farmers, they would fight for a bit but when it came time to either plant or harvest, they would "desert". When the jobs were done they would then rejoin their regiments to take up where they left off on the battlefield.

Most of the Canup women (women born as Canups) had husbands in the Civil War. Many of the Canup women lost their husbands during the Civil War. Some remarried, but the majority of them raised their children alone, poor and destitute.

The only record we have of Canups being slave holders was Henry Jackson Canup, Habersham County, Georgia When his wife died in 1862, he bought two house slaves to help with his nine small children. A short time later, the same man who sold him the slaves came by and liberated them. The slaves had no place to go, so they remained the rest of their lives with the family. Several years ago, one of Henry's grandchildren told me that he remembered them from when he was small. They were just like members of the family.

Canups were an integral part of many of the major historical battles of the Civil War. They defended Vicksburg until it fell. Several Canups fought at Gettysburg. The battle fields of Spottsylvania, Cold Harbor & Petersburg all ran red with family blood. Many Southern Canups were captured by the North during battle. Virtually all of those captured died of disease and/or starvation while in the "protective care" of Northern prison camps. At the end, at least three Canups were present when General Robert E. Lee surrendered to (soon to be President) Ulysees S. Grant at Appomattox Court House.

Brothers, sons of John Canup

Daniel Canup, Private, Co. H, 8^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

Born in Rowan County, resided in Cabarrus County, day laborer, enlisted at age 39 for the war, Aug. 6^th, 1861 for the war. Captured at Roanoke Island on Feb. 8^th 1862. Paroled at Elizabeth City on Feb. 21, 1862. Exchanged in August, 1862. Present or accounted for until wounded in the leg at Ware Bottom Church, May 20, 1864. Hospitalized at Williamsburg, Va. And left leg amputated. Died in hospital at Richmond, Va. June 21, 1864 of wounds.

Tobias Miller Canup, Private, Co. H 8^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

Born in Rowan County, resided in Cabarrus County, occupation prior to enlisting-cooper. Enlisted in Cabarrus County August 24, 1861 at age of 31, for the war. Captured at Roanoke Island on Feb. 8, 1862. And paroled at Elizabeth City, N. C. on Feb. 8, 1862. Exchanged in Aug. 1862. Present or accounted for until wounded near Petersburg, Va. June 16 1864. Reported wounded and captured on the Weldon Railroad near Petersburg Aug 19, 1864. However, records of the Federal Marshall do not substantiate that report. (Note, no record has been found of Tobias in either Cabarrus or Rowan County after the War.)

David Canup, Private, Company D, 28^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

Resided in Stanly county and enlisted in at age 36, July 29, 1861. Died on Sept. 20, 1861 of disease. Place of death not reported.

Brothers, sons of William Canup

Caleb Canup, Co. D, 10^th Regiment, Artillery, N. C. State Troops.

Enlisted in Rowan County at age of 17, March 10, 1862. Present or accounted for through Feb. 1865. Wounded three times and captured at Amelia Court House, Va.. April 5, 1865. Sent to hospital in Washington, D. C. and released June 14, 1865.

Daniel Canup, Private, Co. D, 10^th Regiment, Artillery, N. C. State Troops

Enlisted in Rowan County at age 27, March 15, 1862. Absent sick after July 19, 1862 and reported dead Oct. 28, 1862.

Brothers, sons of Henry Canup

Benjamine F. Canup, Private, Co. K, 8^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops

Resided in Rowan County where he enlisted on April 14, 1863 for the war. Present or accounted until captured at Cold Harbor, Va. May 31, 1864. Confined at Point Lookout, Md. Until transferred to Elmira, NY. July 8^th 1864. Admitted to hospital at Baltimore, Md. Oct. 13, 1864 and died Oct. 14, 1864 Cause of death not reported.

Miles A. Canup, Private, Co. K, 8^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

Resided in Rowan County where he enlisted on April 14, 1863 for the war. Present or accounted for until he deserted to the enemy at Petersburg, Va. June 16, 1864. Confined at Point Lookout, Md. Until transferred to Elmira, NY. July 9, 1864. Died at Elmira on Nov. 2, 1864 of pneumonia. (Federal records show that he was one of the deserters that carried word to General Butler that General Beauregaurd had a large detachment keeping General Butler bottled up at Bermuda Hundred. This was false information as Beauregard had only a few men keeping Butler pinned at Bermuda Hundred)

H. T. Canup, Private Company H, 5^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops

Born in Rowan County, occupation farmer prior to enlisting in Iredell County at age 32, Aug.8, 1862 for the war. Died in hospital at Lynchburg, Va. Jan. 26, 1863 of chronic diarrhea.

Daniel A. Canup, Private, Company D, 28^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

Resided in Stanly County where he enlisted at age 19, March 15, 1862 for the war. Died at Richmond, Va. July 15, 1862 of disease.

Father and son.

Martin Canup, Private, Company F, 38^th Regiment, Infantry, N. C. State Troops.

Born in Catawba County where he enlisted on Oct. 31, 1861. Discharged prior to Jan. 1, 1862 by reason of disability.

Miles M. Kanup, Private, Company F, 38th Regiment, Infantry, N. C. State Troops.

Born and resided in Catawba County, enlisted Oct. 31, 1861 at age of 36. Present or accounted for until he deserted on Aug. 15, 1863. Returned to duty on Oct. 17, 1863 Killed at Spottsylvania Court House, Va. May 12, 1864. Buried at Spottsylvania Cemetery.

Jacob Canup, Private, 2^nd Company, 1^st Confederate Regiment, Army of Tennessee.

Enlisted Feb. 12, 1863. Roll for Aug. 31, 1864, last on file, reports him "absent sick" . No Later records.

Father and son.

John Monroe Canup, Private, 2^nd Company C, 1^st Confederate Regiment, Army of Tennessee.

Enlisted Feb. 12^th, 1863. Deserted to the enemy, August 16, 1864.

John Canup, Private, Company B, 46^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

Enlisted March 19, 1862 at age 18. Died of disease at home Nov. 24, 1862.

Brothers, sons of David Canup

David S. Canup, Private, Company K, 46^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

Born in Rowan County, occupation farmer, 5 feet, 93/4 inches tall, enlisted March 19 1862 at Salisbury, at the age of 32. Mustered into service April 16, 1862. Wounded at Wiedemas May 5, 1864, Sent to hospital. Surrendered by General Lee at Appomattox Court House, Paroled Salisbury, 1865.

D. A. Canup, Private, Company K, 57^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

Born Rowan County, enlisted at Salisbury July 7, 1862 for three years or the war. Very severe hip wound at Gettysburg, Pa. July 1, 1863. Missing in action July 2, 1863, taken prisoner and sent to DeCamp Hospital, David's Island, New York Harbor. Died Aug. 21, 1863.

Wiley Canup, Private, Company B, 46^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

No service information available. Surrendered by General Lee at Appomattox Court House, Va. March, 1865.

Henry A. Canup, Private, Company G, 18^th Regiment, Arkansas State Troops.

Born in Rowan County, N. C., Enlisted at Cotton Plant, Arkansas where he was living at the time. Shot in left leg below the, knee Cornith, Miss. Oct., 1863.

Caleb C. Knupp, Private, 1^st Company A, 109^th Infantry Regiment, Illinois.

Entered service Sept. 1862 at the age of 35. Was a farmer before entering service. Six feet tall.

(This was a first cousin of the proceeding four entries.)

Brothers, sons of Frederick Canup

James Marion Canup, Private, Company D, 23 Regiment, Army of Tennessee.

Resided in Gilmer County, Ga., enlisted Sept. 10, 1861, (age14) appointed musician. Wounded in thigh about Sept. 28, 1862, in hospital until Nov. 13, 1862 when he returned to duty. (Signed with an "X" for his clothing.) Discharged April 26, 1865 at Greensboro, N. C.

George W. Canup, Sergeant, Company G, 39^th Georgia Infantry. Captured at Vicksburg, Miss. July 4, 1863. Captured again at Cassville, Georgia Jun 1, 1864. Died as prisoner of war, Rock Island Barracks, Illinois, June 17, 1864. Buried in grave # 1250.

Jefferson C. Canup, Private, Company H, 1^st Georgia Infantry.

Enlisted March 6, 1861. Wounded, and in hospital at Charlottesville, Va. Sept 5, 1862. Paid $60.00, July 31, 1864 for services. In charge of public animals at horse infirmary in north Florida.

Henry J. Canup, Private, Company H, Georgia Cavalry,

Lived in Habersham County. 

Alexander Canup, Private, Company K, 5^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

Enlisted in Iredell County Aug. 8, 1862 for the war at age 28. Captured at Gettysburg, Pa. July 1, 1863 and confined at Fort McHenry, Md. Until transferred to Fort Delaware where he arrived July 6, 1863. Died at Fort Delaware Sept. 16, 1863 of typhoid fever.

Brothers, sons of Noah Canup Sr.

Samuel Canup, Private, Company K, 5^th, Regiment N. C. State Troops.

Born in Rowan County where he resided as a shoemaker prior to enlisting Oct. 25, 1864 for the war at the age of 41. Captured near Petersburg Va. March 25, 1865 and confined at Point Lookout, Md. Until released on June 28, 1865 after taking Oath of Allegiance.

Noah Canup, Private, Company G, 5^th Regiment, North Carolina State Troops.

Enlisted in Northhampton County at age of 30, Aug. 8, 1862 for the war. Present or accounted for until he deserted on the march to Front Royal, Va. June 12^th 1863. Rejoined Company on Dec. 9, 1863, and present or accounted for until wounded in right knee and captured at Cedar Creek, Va. , Oct. 19, 1864. Died in hospital at Baltimore, Md. Nov. 19, 1864 of exhaustion and debility.

(General Early's Troops were literally starving to death at this time.)

Caleb Canup, Private, Company D, 56^th Infantry Regiment, Illinois.

Enlisted Dec. 16, 1863 at Gray's Mill, Johnson County, Illinois. Mustered into service Feb. 16, 1864. Died at home while on sick leave April 4, 1864. Five feet 8 ½ inches tall, dark eyes, dark complexion.

These two men were brothers and sons of Thomas L. Canup. (see below)

Eppy Morris Canup, Private Company A, 29^th Regiment N. C. State Troops.

Born in Haywood County, N. C. and resided in Cherokee County where he was by occupation a farmer prior to enlisting June 17, 1861 at age of 19. Deserted in July, 1862, but had enlisted in Thomas Legion, Company I Infantry regiment. March, 1862 at South Plains, Tennessee. Deserted Sept. 5, 1863 at Zollecoffer, Tenn. Made prisoner of war Dec. 23, 1863 in Cherokee County, N. C. Transferred to Louisville, Kentucky. Rebel took oath of allegiance Dec. 23, 1863. Enrolled in Company L, 4^th Kentucky Volunteers, Cavalry Union Army, Dec. 25, 1863 at Louisville Ky. For three years. Mustered into service April, 19, 1864. Mustered out at Macon, Georgia, Aug. 21, 1865. Eppie was listed as six feet, four inches, dark complexion, black hair and black eyes.

Francis M. Canup, Private Company A, 29^th Regiment N. C. State Troops.

Born in Haywood County, N. C. and resided in Cherokee County where he was by occupation a farmer prior to enlisting June 17, 1861 at age of 26. Reported deserted in July, 1862, but had enlisted in Thomas Legion, Company I, 29^th Infantry regiment. March, 1862 at South Plains, Tennessee. Deserted Sept. 5, 1863 at Zollecoffer, Tenn. Made prisoner of war Dec. 23, 1863 in Cherokee County, N. C. Transferred to Louisville, Kentucky. Rebel took oath of allegiance Dec. 23, 1863. Enrolled in Company L, 4^th Kentucky Volunteers, Cavalry Union Army, Dec. 25, 1863 at Louisville Ky. For three years. Mustered into service April, 19, 1864. Mustered out at Louisville, Ky. June 12, 1865 Francis was listed as five feet, nine inches, dark complexion, black hair and black eyes.

Both of the above Canups were placed in the "Indian" regiments.

Thomas L. Canup, Private, Company L, 12^th Tennessee Cavalry, Union Army.

Born Lincoln County, N. C. Enlisted Aug. 3, 1864 at Nashville, Tennessee for three years, was recruited in Georgia. Sick in hospital at Louisville, Ky. since March 20, 1865. Mustered out at Louisville, Ky., June 2, 1865 at age 49(?). Six feet tall, gray eyes, Dark hair.

Amos L. Canup (Kanup), Private, 2^nd Company D, 12^th Regiment, N. C. State Troops.

Enlisted in Wake County Sept. 8, 1864 for the war. Wounded in 1865. Present or accounted for until paroled at Appomattox Court House Va. on April 9, 1865.

J. G. Canupp (Kunniepp) Private, Company B, 71^st Regiment N. C. State troops.

Lived in Stanly County. Enlisted 23 May, 1864. No further data.

David Canup, Militia, Greene County, Georgia

Jacob Canup, Militia, Greene County, Georgia.

R.W. Canup, Private Company D, 1^st Cav. CSA (Clairborne's Regiment of Cavalry)

Enlisted at Camp Beauregard, KY Nov. 5, 1861 for 1 year.  Roll of April 10, 1863 deserted.  At time in 2nd Co. B 1st Regiment, KY Cavalry.

L. W. Canup, Private, Company D, 1^st Cavalry, Claiborne's Regiment, Kentucky.

Enlisted at Camp Beauregard, Ky. Nov. 5, 1861 for I year. Roll of April 10, 1863 shows that he had deserted.

William Canup, Private Company C, 28^th Alabama Regiment.

Enlisted Walker County, Alabama at the age of 28 for 3 years or the war, Feb. 18, 1862. Dead, Aug. 5, 1862, Greenville, Alabama.

A. A. Canup, Private, Company c, 1^st Confederate Regiment, Infantry, Georgia Volunteers.

Enlisted Feb. 12, 1863 at Atlanta, Georgia for 3 years or the war. Deserted, Trenton, Georgia June 23, 1863. Roll for Jan.- Feb. 1864 states "Absent, Under arrest".

Samuel Knupp, Union County Illinois, Enlisted in Co. A, 109th Regiment, Illinois Volunteers in 1861. Served three years.

Thanks to Kenneth Canup of Tennessee for this story:

The first names are not known, just the story (we are working on getting the name). Prior to the war a Canup family lived in Polk County, NC in which there were 3 sons. Two of the sons moved to north Georgia. The war started a few years later...one son joined the Confederate Army, the other stayed on the farm. Late in the war, either the Union or the Confederate Army came onto the farm, attempted to conscript the Canup farmer, he refused. The soldiers hung him and pillaged his food stock and left. The family quickly cut him down, he was revived, and in his disgust he left north Georgia for the Knoxville area. From this Canup sprang his branch of our family tree.

While the Civil War was cruel to the entire country, it was particularly devastating to the Canup family. Surely this tragic testament helps to reduce the 'glory of war'. Starvation, disease, physical injuries and death are the true winners in any conflict. To my personal knowledge, six Canups served in Vietnam, four of them died there. Let us not be hasty to rush blindly into armed conflict, else our family shrink some more.