James McKnight

Canadian-born James McKnight was working in Wyandotte as Chainmaker in the summer of 1862. He enlisted in Company B on August 11, 1862 at Detroit. James was mustered into service on August 13, 1862. He was 19 years old.

Not too much is know about James' service. He is listed as having deserted at Belle Plain January 20, 1863. This date is very significant, however

In the wake of the Fredericksburg debacle in December 1862, General Ambrose Burnside decided to attack the Confederates again in Mid January, 1863. The campaign commenced on January 20, 1863. The weather refused to cooperate, however. Although the preceding weeks had been dry, No sooner had the march commenced than it began to rain. The rain was heavy and constant, and all of the roads became morasses that effectively halted the campaign. Thoroughly wet, cold and disheartened, the Army of the Potomac Returned to Belle Plain and took up winter quarters. Burnside's January offensive quickly became known as the "Mud March". As might be expected morale was at an ebb. Many soldiers simply decided to go home.

During the Mud March week, twenty-five members of the Twenty-Fourth were reported "missing" and the utmost vigilance was ordered in every regiment. Camp guards were established, and roll calls were ordered three times per day. On January 31, a detail of fifty men under Lieutenant Colonel Flanigan went in search of "skedaddlers," and three days later, after a circuit of fifty miles, returned with ten who were apprehended at Port Tobacco on the Potomac, and several citizens who had aided in their escape. On February 1, several who had "straggled" were publicly reprimanded on dress parade, and thus this evasion of duty was promptly squelched. (Curtis, p. 113)

Apparently James McKnight avoided the patrols and made his way back to Michigan.

Descendants:

Rob Rohr, utdetlion@aol.com

Jeff Rohr, jr12958@aol.com