Created by Brian

Judson Knight

Birth

26 Apr 1829

Boonville, Oneida County, New York, USA

Death

Jan 1900 (aged 70)

Washington, USA

Burial

Burial Details Unknown

Memorial ID

270290347

Judson Knight Delivers News of General Lee's Final Retreat

https://www.dvidshub.net/news/441835/judson-knight-delivers-news-general-lees-final-retreat

 

Judson Knight was Chief of Scouts for the Army of the Potomac from June 1864 through the end of the war in April 1865. His Newspaper articles from the National Tribune were compiled by the Historian Peter Tsouras and became the book "Scouting for Grant and Meade". He was a Veteran of the Mexican- American War but served in New York. He enlisted in 1861 as a member of the 2nd New Jersey Infantry Regiment which became part of the famed "New Jersey Brigade"under General Philip Kearny. He became a Scout under his commander General Philip Kearny and served in his Headquarters through the Peninsula Campaign of 1862, The Second Bull Run Campaign of August 1862 . He was present when General Kearny was killed at the Battle of Chantilly, Virginia on September 1,1862. He survived the Maryland Campaign but contracted several medical conditions/illnesses which caused him to be medically discharged at the end of December 1862. In September 1862 his wife Mabel Nicholson Knight passed away and Judson spiraled into grief. After recuperating at home he decided he wanted to continue serving the country in the Army. He was interviewed by Colonel George H. Sharpe who had just been given command of the new Bureau of Military Information (BMI). Knight's credentials and record made him a prime candidate to serve in the Scouts. He was assigned to the Scouts under the command of Lieutenant Milton Cline. Judson became best of friends and comrades in arms with all of the scouts which numbered around fifty including my Great Great Great Grandfather Corporal Dan Plew originally of the 3rd Indiana Cavalry who volunteered in early 1863 to become a scout and transferred from the 3rd Indiana Cavalry. Those volunteering for the Scouts did so because they wanted adventure, a free rein to move about without all the military strings tied to soldiers in regular units, the extra pay and rations, excitement and to test their courage all alone in enemy territory. He served under LT. Cline until late May or June 1864 when Cline and those original members of the Scouts including my GGG Grandfather from the 3rd Indiana were mustered out after three years of honorable service. Judson then became Chief of Scouts and worked closely with Lieutenant General US Grant, Major General George Meade, MG Winfield Scott Hancock, MG George A. Custer, MG Philip Sheridan, MG Marsena Patrick and many more famous soldiers. He was able to enter Richmond and Petersburg during the siege of 1864-1865 and met with the Female union Spy Elizabeth " Crazy Beth" Van Lew who provided him and others on military intelligence that undermined the Confederacy during the last year of the war. He had many hair raising adventures and close calls. After the war he became a member of the Secret Service and was sent South to conduct surveillance on the KKK and find ways to eradicate it . He lived in New York City for a number of years until he decided to head West to Washington State and be near family. He returned East for a short visit to New York State before returning to Washington State where he wrote articles for the National Tribune about his war experiences. His health started failing in the early 1880's due from his war time duties. He received a pension for his Mexican- War service but reapplied to get a pension for his Civil War service even though he had been a Civilian Scout under contract. It took letters from many famous Generals in his application for additional pension money. He received the pension money through a special dispensation clause that he qualified for. He did apply for an increase but he never did receive it and by then he had passed away. A Brave and courageous soldier and scout who did his part in winning the war.

 

SCOUTING FOR GRANT AND MEADE

http://www.xenophon-mil.org/politicaleconomy/tsourasscouting.htm

The Perfect Scout

https://www.civilwarmonitor.com/rubin-murphy-eds-the-perfect-scout-2018/

Scouting for Grant and Meade: The Reminiscences of Judson Knight, Chief of Scouts, Army of the Potomac Hardcover - 2014

by Judson Knight, Peter G. Tsouras

https://www.biblio.com/book/scouting-grant-meade-reminiscences-judson-knight/d/1604715883?aid=frg&gad_source=5&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIiNjm25vQigMV7RKtBh2avx1OEAQYASABEgKb1PD_BwE

Essential Civil War Curriculum

https://www.essentialcivilwarcurriculum.com/military-intelligence.html

Buried at CWV CREMATED BURIALS & UNKNOWN BURIALS