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J. M. Knap

J. M. Knap

Federal (USV)

Captain

Joseph M. Knap

(1837 - 1920)

Home State: New York

Education: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI), NY, Class of 1858

Command Billet: Battery Commander

Branch of Service: Artillery

Unit: Pennsylvania Light Artillery, Independent Battery E

Before Antietam

He enlisted at 24 years of age in Company L, 28th PA Volunteer Infantry on July 20, 1861. In August 1861, while 1st Lieutenant in his regiment, he recruited and organized the "Fort Pitt Artillery", later to become the Independent Battery E.

The rest of the War

He served with Battery E until May 16, 1863, when he resigned to ...

"accept a partnership in, and the general superintendency of the Fort Pitt Foundry, at Pittsburg, where immense numbers of heavy guns and mortars were being cast for the use of the Navy, and for coast fortifications, a position in which he served his country with great ability and fidelity, the ordnance cast under his supervision being remarkable for their excellence."
(from Bates)

After the War

He was president of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) Alumni Assn 1896-98.

References & notes

Source: Bates, Samuel P., History of the Pennsylvania Volunteers, 1861-65, Harrisburg, 1868-1871.; Extracted online at the Pennsylvania in the Civil War site.

More on the Web

See more about Capt Knap and the Battery at a reenactors site online, source of some of this information.

Birth

12/30/1837; Brownsville, NY

Death

6/21/1920; burial in Village Cemetery, Catskill, NY