Troy Times - Veteran - Co. E, 110th Reg., OVI

July 28, 1864

McKNIGHT, LIEUT. JOSEPH - Died, at Fredericksburg, Va., May 25th, 1864 of a wound received in the battle of the Wilderness, May 5th, 1864, Lieut. Joseph McKnight, Co. E, 110th Reg., O. V. I. in the 41st year of his age. He entered the service of his country Aug. 8, 1862. When last at home he seemed to be impressed with the conviction that it was the last visit he would ever be permitted to make to his family. The conviction was realized.--He was among the thousands that made the costly offering of life in the bloody and memorable battles of the Wilderness. Fortunately his remains were brought home and buried where his family and friends can visit the spot of his peaceful slumbers. He was buried in the Piqua cemetery, June the 2nd, by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows. Rev. Jas. Harvey, former Chaplain of the Reg., officiating on the occasion. Rarely are we called upon to record the death of an officer of more intrinsic merit than was possessed by the subject of this Obituary. It is not from the sympathy we instinctively feel for deceased friends, that I thus speak.--The remark is based on a personal knowledge of his qualities as exhibited to me for nearly seventeen months as a fellow officer with him in camp, on the march, in battle, and in all the round of a soldier's life and duties. Less than in almost any other person, was there seen in him any deviation from the strictest morality, or the most rigid construction of the military rules that shaped his duties as an officer. His change from civil to military life was not followed with extravagance of manner, and austerity in the exercise of office. To this the company where he was so acceptable an officer, will freely testify. His company all felt that in him they had a friend who would spare no pains for their conduct and welfare. They could always approach him with the assurance that their requests would not be treated with harshness or indifference. His office did not lift him above the common friendship and courtesies of life, but seemed rather to create a stronger bond between him and those whom loyal mothers and wives had confided to the watchcare of the company officers. The Lieut. was a man of but few words--remarkably few; but a small number of words well-timed and placed, speak more for a man than a ceaseless clattering of thoughtless utterances. He well knew that both moral and military example must depend more upon steady, straight-forward conduct, then upon flourish of manner and superfluity of words. The profession of religion which the Lieut. made previously to entering the army, was honorably maintained in his life and his duties as an officer. I think I may safely say, that he was never observed to do anything that cast a blemish of his character, or was in any way unbecoming to his profession. He had been a member of the United Presbyterian Church for seventeen years. His habits of Scripture readings and private devotion were uniformly maintained in the army. I have not the full particulars of the Lieutenenatn's last hours; but a man so devoted, trusting so implicitly in God, could not do otherwise than meet death calmly, and gently sink into its quiet embrace. As bravery is considered an essential and commendable quality in the soldier, it will perhaps be proper to notice this trait as exhibited in the subject of this sketch. But in view of the Lieutenant's peculiarly plain and unassuming character in life, it would seem ungenerous to utter eulogies to his memory, now that he is dead. It is enough, then, to say, that he ever exhibited that perfect coolness and self-possession in the midst of anger, which are the uniform accompaniment of religious faith, and untarnished devotion to our country. Much more might be said--many incidents might be related to exhibit his valor and fortitude; but I cannot indulge in praises from which, though merited, his modesty would shrink, if alive; and which he would not advise, could he whisper from his calm rest in a patriot's grave. The Lieut. was also of a remarkably mild and even disposition--I do not remember ever to have seen him in a passion, or ever to have heard him utter a word that betrayed ill-feeling, or agitation of mind. In all the perplexities and disappointments that attend a soldier's life, he exhibited a Christian temper and deportment. I am the more particular to speak of some of those distinguishing qualities, from the hope that the readers of this notice may strive to emulate such excellence of character. Inscrutable is the Providence by which the best and noblest of the good and brave are taken from us. But if so dear was the first cost of our liberties, how much dearer may be the price of their perpetuity, after they have grown to such magnitude, and blessed us to much more abundantly then they did our Fathers! Lieut. McKnight is one among the thousands whose kindness as a friend, and valor as a soldier, have given him long life in the memory and affections of the comrades and dear friends he leaves behind. He has paid the highest, noblest price that a Christian patriot can pay for the perpetuity of his country. Though life is sweet, how much better to offer it upon the altar of disinterested patiotism, than to die in the sea of overthrowing our Government, by picking at the flaws of the strong pillars that have so long borne up the proud temple of our Liberties. Not one life has ever been laid down in vain under the dear old flag of our country. Not one of the ten times ten thousand graves scattered between the Atlantic coast and the Rocky Mountains--in open fields and shady groves, on mountain side and level plain, along deep waters and babbling brooks, beneath fragrant evergreens and tangled laurel, under costly monuments and rude, penciled boards--not one but utters a lesson of wisdom, strength, self-sacrifice and warning, that may above the bulwark and safe-guard of coming generations.

"Who dies in vain
Upon his country's war fields and within
The shadow of her altars? Feeble heart!
I tell thee that the Voice of patriot blood
Thus poured for faith and freedom, hath a tone
Which, from the night of ages, from the gulf
Of death, shall burst and make its high appeal
Sound unto earth and heaven!"
HENRY Y RUSH

Former Lst Lt. Co. E, 110th Reg. O.V.I.