Abraham Knupp was said to have headed out west to North Dakota when the Civil War started, not knowing if he should participate. He decided to return and enlist. Private Abram Knupp was a member of the 10th Regiment Cavalry, which later became Company K, of the 12th Virginia Cavalry and a part of the Laurel Brigade, of the Army of Northern Virginia which was also a part of Turner Ashby's Cavalry. Abram was 31 years old and had been married for 6 years when he enlisted on 27 August 1862 at New Market, he was absent from June to December 1863 sick, present January and February 1864, AWOL March and April 1864 and July and August 1864. The 12th was a border raiding unit and participated in the Beefsteak Raid into West Virginia to round up cattle and participated in the last Confederate cavalry charge two hours before the surrender at Appomattox. He was also a member of the Patrol Guard, 11th Congressional District Mounted.

Abraham's brother George was with Company G, 7th VA Cavalry whose members were primarily, from Maryland. Some of the members were from Shenandoah County though. George and another brother John are not listed in the 7th's rosters, but were found in the State Library records of Confederate soldiers. George was wounded at Poolesville, Maryland which is located along the Potomac River on 10 Sept 1862 and died on 21 Oct 1862. He is buried at Mt. Olivet Cemetery in Frederick, Maryland and his new tombstone indicates he was in the 7th Virginia Infantry, Company B at the time. However, an etching done recently of the old tombstone indicates he was in the 7th Regiment.

Another brother, John was in Company G, 136th Shenandoah County Militia and was also in Company G, 7th Virginia Cavalry.

Abraham, Michael, John and George were his brothers. Peter served in the 23rd Virginia Infantry Battalion, Co.D and the 136th Militia, Co. G from Shenandoah County.

Michael enlisted in the 33rd Virginia Infantry, Company E on 15 April 1862, the same battalion as William S. and Elias M. Frazier. He was 19 years old when he joined the Stonewall Brigade. Company E participated in Jackson's Valley Campaign, Seven Days Battle around Richmond in June of 1862, Battle of Cedar Mountain, Second Manassas, Antietam, Chancellorsville, Second Winchester and Culp's Hill at Gettysburg. Michael Knupp was wounded at Gettysburg on 3 July 1863 and became a POW at Waterloo on 5 July 1863. He was transferred from Ft. McHenry to Ft. Delaware 9 July 1863 and to Pt. Lookout 26 October 1863. Michael was exchanged on 24 February 1865 and paroled on 19 April 1865 at Winchester. He was 5' 5", dark complexion, dark hair and hazel eyes. He was also a member of the 136th Shenandoah County Militia, Co. G.

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