Berks-Lehigh-Schuylkill County PA Archives Obituaries.....McKNIGHT, Maj. James June 1, 1888
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  Neil Scheidt neilain@dejazzd.com January 31, 2011, 4:46 pm
  
  Reading Eagle, Jun 2 1888

  Major James McKnight died at his farm in Spring Valley, Alsace township, 
  yesterday afternoon, of acute inflammation of the brain, aged 68 years. The 
  news of his sudden death was a surprise to his many friends in this city, but 
  few of whom were aware of his serious ilness. Deceased had visited the city a 
  few days before. Major McKnight was a son of the late John McKnight, cashier 
  of the Pennsylvania branch bank, now the Union Bank. He was educated in this 
  city and at Princeton college.
  
  He entered the hardware store of Daniel M. Keim & Co. as a clerk upon his 
  return from college, where he remained until 1841, when he associated himself 
  with the late Joseph L. Stichter in the "Old White Store", and the firm 
  continued in business until 1858 when Major McKnight retired.

  Deceased always took an active interest in military matters, and he organized 
  the Ringgold light artillery in 1850, of which he was chosen captain.  During 
  the exciting time preceding the opening of the war Major McKnight prepared the 
  company for service by daily drills. On April 14th, 1861, he received a 
  telegram from Col. Eli Slifer, secretary of the commonwealth, to bring his 
  command to the state capital by the first train.  It is a matter of record 
  that 40 minutes after the receipt of the telegram the company was ready to 
  move with 101 men. The order was countermanded later in the day but Maj. 
  McKnight had already left for the capital city.
  
  Two days later the command was mustered into the service and went on to 
  Washington and gained the distinction of being "The First Defenders" by which 
  title the organization has been known since that time. 
  
  After being in service 3 months Maj. McKnight was commissioned a major in the 
  regular army and assigned to command of Battery M, 5th U.S. Artillery, and 
  participated in many of the fiercest struggles of the war. The battery was 
  attached to the 6th corps and was with McClellan in the Peninsular campaign, 
  and after in Grant's campaign, until July,1864, when Major McKnight was 
  transferred from Petersburg to the Shenandoah Valley, and afterward formed a 
  part of Sherman's command on his famous march. Deceased rendered conspicuous 
  service at Winchester, Spottsylvania, Fisher's Hill, Cold Harbor, Cedar 
  Creek, Ream's Station, Malvern Hill, and others.
  
  He was a gallant officer and was made a brevet major general near the close
  of the war for his service.  At the close of the war he resigned his 
  commission and returned to his home this city.  Deceased was an officer of the 
  Reading fire insurance company at one time.  He removed to his large farm in 
  Alsace township several years ago, where he has lived in retirement.  He was a 
  brother of Mrs. Jacob Graeff, residing in Cincinatti, the only surving member 
  of the family, and the late David and Charles McKnight, Mrs. Catharine Hans 
  and Mrs. Orrick, Major McKnight was an uncle of Mrs. Charles H. Schaeffer, 
  Mrs. John A. McLenegan, J. Hiester, William S., and M. Brayton McKnight, of 
  this city.
  
  The funeral will be held from the residence of Mrs. David McKnight, 136 North 
  5th, on Tuesday.   
  
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