GODFREY MALBURN -- 118th INFANTRYDIED SHORTLY AFTER LEAVING THE HOSPITAL --In 1860, Godfrey Malburn and his father were boarding with the MaryannTrue and her family in a household of 14 people in Saranac. Godfrey, whowas born in 1838 in Canada East, was working as a sawyer and his fatherHoratio Nelson Malburn, born in Connecticut, was working as a housejoiner. It looks like his mother, Eliza Martin, who was born in Irelandwas living elsewhere.In July 1862, Godfrey enlisted in the 118th Infantry in Plattsburgh.His Muster Roll Abstract says he was a teamster, 22 years old and was 5'3½" tall. It also says he was born in Salmon River, NY, and had greyeyes, dark hair, and a ruddy complexion.On September 1st, the regiment left by boat to go up Lake Champlain tomake train connections. On the way to Washington, they were engaged inguarding railroad facilities near Baltimore and finally arrived inWashington.By April 1863, the regiment was at the Siege of Suffolk and by the endof July were about 70 miles north at Gloucester Court House, VA. After aseries of moves, they spent the winter in Camp at Newport News 30 milesto the south.Godfrey fought from March to the end of October 1864 in thePetersburg/Richmond area during which time the 118th sustained almost500 casualties. He was one of the 89 men who were captured at the 2ndBattle of Fair Oaks on October 27th.Godfrey spent time at Libby and Salisbury Prisons and was Paroled inFebruary 1865. He was taken to Hampton Hospital near Fortress Monroe. Atthe end of March, the doctors thought he was able to make his way hometo Clinton County. According to the Register of Officers and Men whomustered into Federal Service 1861-1865, he died of a disease that hehad contracted in Salisbury Prison on May 30, 1865. He died in SchuylerFalls was buried in the Independence Cemetery in Saranac. The gravestonesays he died on March 31st.In 1873, Godfrey's mother, Eliza Martin, started receiving a pensionbased on his service. His brother, Nelson Horatio, who was in the 91stInfantry, lived until 1900 and was buried in the Union Cemetery inMorrisonville.
