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Briefs ; Confederate soldier gets military honor

Briefs ; Confederate soldier gets military honor

Date published: 9/25/2002

Confederate soldier gets military honor

Civil War veteran Lewis K. Knight was honored with a Confederate Iron Cross dedication at his grave site in Stafford County on Saturday.

Knight, a private in the 3rd Company I, 47th Virginia Infantry, was born in 1820 and died on Nov. 12, 1893. He is buried on what is known as the Musselman Farm off Embrey Mill Road near Ebenezer United Methodist Church.

The Confederate Iron Cross grave marker is patterned after the design of the Southern Cross of Honor medal, which was bestowed on Confederate warriors by the United Daughters of the Confederacy. The markers are provided through the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

"He is due the respect, and this just shows that he is supported by Stafford County and the United States," said Richard Knight, the great-great-grandson of Lewis K. Knight.

"He's part of my heritage, and I'm proud of that. The marker is a way of honoring him and showing he has not been forgotten."

Local representatives of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, the Military Order of the Stars & Bars, the United Daughters of the Confederacy and the Order of Southern Gray took part in the dedication ceremony.

Stafford County historian Homer D. Musselman, another descendant of Lewis K. Knight, was the guest speaker. There also was a presentation of the colors, patriotic music and a rifle salute.

Richard Knight said he recently discovered that Lewis Knight's father, William Knight, who is buried on the same property, was a veteran of the War of 1812. As such, he is eligible for a headstone from the Veterans Administration.

--Lee Woolf

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Date published: 9/25/2002