-
Period: to
William McKnight's Time in the Civil War
William McKnight was a member of the Civil War and Seventh Ohio Volunteer Calvary. He served for the Union from September 1862 to June 1864, when he passed away. All of his letters were to his wife, Samaria, and they described his day to day life during the Civil War.
https://www.ohioswallow.com/book/Do+They+Miss+Me+at+Home%3F -
Moving to Camp Denison
William McKnight felt prepared to go fight and win this war to protect his family and the north. He wrote to his wife explaining that he was soon ready to move to Camp Denison to organize the North's regiment and to gather supplies. He told her not to worry and that he would be ok. McKnight also received rations from Gallipolis that the Rebels left Canwa. https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Camp_Dennison -
Arriving in Gallipolis
William feels prepared to start fighting. He writes to his wife, Samaria, and talks about arriving in Gallipolis safely. The regiment is getting their uniform ready and horses prepared. McKnight plans to take pictures and explains that he won't be in Gallipolis long, only until the Colonel returns. https://ohiohistorycentral.org/w/Gallipolis,_Ohio -
Moving to Fort Ripley
The regiment has been busy lately, they are preparing to go to Fort Ripley. William is missing his family very much, and is feeling homesick. He just chose a horse, and has been riding all day. He lets his wife know how much he misses her, and that he plans on surprising their children by coming home sometime soon. https://www.mnmilitarymuseum.org/resources/mn-military-history/old-fort-ripley/ -
Making Way to Kentucky
William writes to his wife that the regiment will only be in Ripley for one more day, after they are moving to Lexington, Kentucky. The regiment will fight their 2nd Battalion there, which they're preparing for. They will stay there for the winter. McKnight is feeling good, and ready for this move. He tells his wife not to worry about him. https://www.visitlex.com/guides/post/civil-war-heritage/ -
Arriving in Camp Baird
The regiment just arrived in Camp Baird which William describes as beautiful. There is limestone and grand hills, which he has never seen before. He is feeling sad that Samaria as not been answering very often, and he hopes that she hasn't forgotten him. https://historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM2FGK_the-troops-that-built-fort-howell-camp-baird_.html -
A Possible Attack On the Regiment
The regiment was woken at 3 am and were told to mount their horses because help was needed. They went through Danville, Crab Orchard battle ground, and they eventually reached Mount Vernon but there were no Rebels to be seen. McKnight felt very disappointed after not finding the rebels, so bad he couldn't eat. https://explorekyhistory.ky.gov/items/show/575 -
Setting Up Camp at Harrodsburg Garrard Co.
William and the regiment arrived in Harrodsburg and they set up camp. He describes building beds, and setting up tents. He is very happy, he describes how beautiful it is and how much he has enjoyed being at this camping spot. He explains that the regiment will be staying there for the spring, and after the regiment get payed they may return home. https://www.battlefields.org/learn/articles/life-civil-war-soldier-camp -
Separation at Crab Orchard
William has been scouting the past 10 days, and he has 25 men from the regiment. The rest separated at Crab Orchard, and the rebels have attacked Kentucky. McKnight is feeling very anxious to see his wife and to find the men that separated. He lets his wife know that he is sending her money for their family, and that some of the regiment is sick but he is doing ok. https://www.essentialcivilwarcurriculum.com/financing-the-civil-war.html -
Fighting and Capturing the Rebels
William writes to his wife, explaining that he has been away from camp for 21 days and has been riding on horseback. He just was a part of a battle where the regiment captured 30 men, horses, and supplies. He doesn't feel good after the battle because he has a cold and his side is sore, he is also worried because he hasn't heard from his wife in over 3 weeks. https://www.thegreatcoursesdaily.com/the-devastating-effects-of-diseases-on-the-civil-war-battlefield/ -
Preventing Rebels From Escaping the War
McKnight has recovered after feeling sick from his last expedition. He went on horse to prevent Rebels from escaping, which he did successfully but wishes he could have captured more soldiers. The regiment is currently on the Russellville Pike. He is feeling accomplished, but he's also feeling upset because his wife is currently sick and he wish's he could see her. https://www.essentialcivilwarcurriculum.com/desertion,-cowardice-and-punishment.html -
Overtaking the Rebels and Ashby's Calvary
The regiment recently left Lexington, and have moved to Crab Orchard. Some of the regiment overtook the Rebels and Ashby's Calvary, they led the battle and they killed 20 men. McKnight is feeling homesick and missing his wife, Samaria, and he's proud of his regiment. https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-battle-units-detail.htm?battleUnitCode=CTN0002RC01 -
Arriving in Stanford
McKnight has arrived in Stanford and most of the regiment is surprising at camp. He is feeling sad and anxious to see his wife. Some of the regiment is receiving furlough so he hopes to so he can return home to see his family. He has also received money which he spent on clothing, but he advices his wife to use the money he's sending to her. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ijWvKM1g2XU -
Arriving at the Camp of the 7th O.V.C. Somerset
The regiment leaves Stanford and 25 men behind, and moves to the Camp of the 7th O.V.C. Somerset. They are supposedly near the Rebels and may have to fight at any time. He feels ready and confident for whenever the Rebels attack. He lets Samaria know he may not be able to write often. http://www.galliagenealogy.org/Military/7thOVC.htm -
Scouting in Cumberland
The regiment went to scout in Cumberland for two days. The expected the Rebels to attack but only 6 men appeared, 6 of which the regiment captured. They lost four of their own men during this day. McKnight is feeling homesick missing family and friends, he lets Samaria to write to him as often as she can. https://www.visitcumberlandvalley.com/blog/post/all-things-civil-war/ -
Fighting the Rebels in a Skirmish
The Union has been laying in a skirmish, fighting rebels for a week. They lost 8 men, the rebels lost more. The regiment was not directly in this battle, but they witnessed it. The Rebels are starting to sneak up on them, but the Union is continuing to be prepared and they are taking their supplies. McKnight is feeling hopeful that his wife will answer his letters. https://www.essentialcivilwarcurriculum.com/picketing,-skirmishing,-and-sharpshooting.html -
Disaster in Russellville
McKnight has not heard from Samaria in over a month, and is feeling worried about her. The regiment recently resided in Russellville the 7th O.V.C and the 2nd E. The regiment was surrounded by the disaster before daylight, it was so bad that the regiment had to move the train. The Rebels captured a part of the train and opened fire on the Union. The regiment seceded in a hole until it was over. The union lost over 100 men. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pDgbXqxe7SQ -
Battle in Morristown
McKnight and the regiment just returned from a battle near Morristown. The Rebels came prepared with skirmishers, artillery, and infantry. The Union lost 0 people in this battle, the Rebels lost 100. McKnight is feeling proud of his regiment after this battle, he is also feeling good because all of the regiment is in good health. https://njskylands.com/history-civil-war-morristown https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Y_Sc0cvzBo -
Foraging with the Regiment
The regiment has recently walked 20 miles to forage. McKnight currently has a good amount of money but hasn't been payed in a while. The regiment is setting up camp for the winter. McKnight feels worried because his wife hasn't been answering his letters, and he's not sure if he has enough money to pay his family. https://www.hamilton.edu/news/story/forage-liberally-union-raiding-strategy-during-the-civil-war -
Driving the Rebels Out in Knoxville
The regiment arrived in Knoxville the night before and drove the Rebels out on Sevierville Road. They were very tired and cold after. The camp has views of Fort Sanders, and Everyone is soon expecting the Rebels to attack, so they're preparing. McKnight feels uneasy because his son Tommy was sick. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w30bNq3gLdg https://mcclungmuseum.utk.edu/exhibitions/the-civil-war-in-knoxville-the-battle-of-fort-sanders/ -
Finding out About Samaria's Sickness
The regiment and Colonel are furloughing soldiers home. McKnight is not one of them but he wishes he has because he found out that his wife is sick. The regiment is currently in a camp in Lexington the McKnight describes as very beautiful. He is feeling very sad after learning about how sick his wife is, and he plans on returning home soon if possible. https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/cwsurgeon/cwsurgeon/introduction -
Serving in Court
McKnight has been a member in court for the past 10 days. He has heard from family and his mother. He is also receiving pay finally. He feels happy because he has heard from family, he's receiving pay for the first time in 11 months, and the regiment is all good. https://muse.jhu.edu/article/506403/pdf -
Suffering with pain
McKnight has been suffering with terrible back pain for the past ten days. There is no specific cause for it and it is causing him difficulty to breath and move. He is feeling nervous because of how his back is making him feel, but he's also doing alright because his wife is well and his dinner was really good. https://emergingcivilwar.com/2017/01/28/silent-death-dysentery-disease-and-sickness/
