Christopher Pusilamus Columbus McKnight was born, the 12th of 13 children on November 25, 1833 in Georgia. He was the son of John and Martha Sims McKnight. The family moved to Chambers Co. Alabama before 1835 where his father farmed and operated a mill.Columbus, as he was known, married Martha Alsobrook September 9, 1858 in Chambers Co. He operated a small farm and listed his post office as being Milltown, Alabama.
He enlisted May 5, 1862 at Cusseta Al. in Co. H 47th Alabama Infantry. Shortly after being mustered in as 1st Sergeant, the unit was assigned to the Third Brigade, Army of Northern Virginia under the command of Gen. Thomas “Stonewall” Jackson . He witnessed the repulse of Burnside at Fredricksburg and wintered on the Rappahannock.
In January 1863, the 47th along with the 4th, 15th, 44th, and 48th were placed in the Alabama Brigade under Brig. Gen. Evander Law, (Texan) Gen. John Bell Hood’s Division, Gen. James Longstreet’s Corps. They took part in the devastating fights at Devil’s Den and Little Roundtop during the battle of Gettysburg. Two months later the 47th was sent to northern Georgia and Tennessee to join forces with Gen. Braxton Bragg’s command of the Western Army. In the spring of 1864, they rejoined the Army of Northern Virginia and took part in the Wilderness Campaign where McKnight was severely wounded May 8. By November 1864, he had returned to his division. In the spring, they took part in the defense of Petersburg and were present at Appomattox as part of Perry’s Brigade on April 12, 1865 when Lee surrendered.
In 1870, the McKnight family traveled by wagon to Cass Co. Texas. Settling there they purchased some land and built a one room log house. Columbus farmed and acted as Justice of the Peace for many years. In 1876, his wife Martha, died. She was buried in the Courtland Cemetery along with two children.
By 1899, Columbus had moved to Hunt Co. Texas where he received his Confederate Pension. He was now unable to support himself and was living with his son John Wesley Lafayette McKnight. In 1902, he moved with his son, to the Waurika, Oklahoma area where J. W. operated a mercantile. He departed this life on January 1, 1904 and was laid to rest in the Sugden Cemetery. J. W. resided in the same area until his death in 1954.
For more information about the McKnight family contact
Sherry Bob Merritt
©1998 Sherry Bob Merritt