Interesting Places I've Photographes
Cpl. Charles H. Knight
Springfield, MA
Topic: Medal of Honor Recipients
GPS: N42° 07.296; W072° 33.891
Quick Description:
The grave site of Medal of Honor recipient Cpl. Charles H. Knight is located in the south central section of Oak Grove Cemetery in Springfield, MA.
Long Description:
Cpl. Charles H. Knight was born in Keene, NH and joined the 9th New Hampshire Infantry from Keene.
During the Civil War a series of battles took place around Petersburg, Virginia from June 9, 1864 to March 25, 1865. The City of Petersburg an important railroad junction crucial for the supply of the army of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate capital of Richmond.
On July 30, 1864, after weeks of preparation, Union forces exploded a huge mine blowing a gap in the Confederate defenses of Petersburg. The Confederate forces quickly regrouped and routed the attacking Union forces inflicting severe casualties. This became known as the Battle of the Crater.
According to his Medal of Honor citation, Union Cpl. Charles H. Knight was one of the first men to enter into the gap created by the mine. He sustained wounds but was able to return to his lines with several Confederate prisoners.
This attempt to end the Siege of Petersburg was unsuccessful and trench warfare was waged around Petersburg until General Lee withdrew his army in April 1865.
The grave site is marked by a granite tablet placed at ground level and a large ornate family headstone, offset to the upper right.
CHARLES H KNIGHT
MEDAL OF HONOR
CORP I 9 NH INF
CIVIL WAR
1839 1904
The family headstone has the image of a five pointed star and the logo of the Odd Fellows Organization. It is inscribed:
CHARLES H. KNIGHT
1839 - 1904
CO. I. 9TH N.H.
ELLEN M. BURCH HIS WIFE
1848 - 1932
MILAN B. KNIGHT 1845 - 1919
HIS WIFE
HARRIET M. HUNTER 1839 - 1907
Citation:
During the Civil War a series of battles took place around Petersburg, Virginia from June 9, 1864 to March 25, 1865. The City of Petersburg an important railroad junction crucial for the supply of the army of Confederate Gen. Robert E. Lee and the Confederate capital of Richmond.
On July 30, 1864, after weeks of preparation, Union forces exploded a huge mine blowing a gap in the Confederate defenses of Petersburg. The Confederate forces quickly regrouped and routed the attacking Union forces inflicting severe casualties. This became known as the Battle of the Crater.
According to his Medal of Honor citation, Union Cpl. Charles H. Knight was one of the first men to enter into the gap created by the mine. He sustained wounds but was able to return to his lines with several Confederate prisoners.
This attempt to end the Siege of Petersburg was unsuccessful and trench warfare was waged around Petersburg until General Lee withdrew his army in April 1865.
The grave site is marked by a granite tablet placed at ground level and a large ornate family headstone, offset to the upper right.
 |
| Medal of Honor Plaque |
The granite tablet has a the images of a Latin cross and the Medal of Honor. It is inscribed:
MEDAL OF HONOR
CORP I 9 NH INF
CIVIL WAR
1839 1904
 |
| Family Headstone |
The family headstone has the image of a five pointed star and the logo of the Odd Fellows Organization. It is inscribed:
1839 - 1904
CO. I. 9TH N.H.
ELLEN M. BURCH HIS WIFE
1848 - 1932
MILAN B. KNIGHT 1845 - 1919
HIS WIFE
HARRIET M. HUNTER 1839 - 1907
KNIGHT, CHARLES H.
Rank and Organization: Corporal, Company I, 9th New Hampshire Infantry. Place and Date: At Petersburg, Va., 30 July 1864. Entered service at Keene, N.H. Birth: Keene, N.H. Date of Issue: 27 July 1896.
In company with a sergeant, was the first to enter the exploded mine; was wounded but took several prisoners to the Federal lines.
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