Stryker in Williams County, Ohio — The American Midwest (Great Lakes)
William James Knight/Andrews Raiders
By TeamOHE, November 5, 2020
1. William James Knight
William James Knight/Andrews Raiders. .
William J. Knight. William J. Knight (1837-1916) was born in Wayne County, Ohio and raised by his grandparents, Jacob and Martha Knight, near Farmer, Ohio. After the outbreak of the Civil War, William enlisted in Company E, 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On April 12, 1862, the twenty-five year-old Knight participated in “Andrews Raid" as an engineer. Led by James J. Andrews, the raiders stole the locomotive “General” at Big Shanty, Georgia, planning to cut telegraph lines and destroy railroad bridges and tracks as they headed north between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Above Ringgold, Georgia, the raiders were captured. Eight were executed. Knight and seven others escaped from an Atlanta jail on October 16, 1862 and made it to Federal lines. Six raiders were exchanged in 1863 (Continued on other side). Andrews Raiders (Continued from other side). Knight and 18 other raiders were awarded the Medal of Honor for their roles. On September 27, 1864, Knight was discharged from the army upon expiration of his term of service. By 1886, he settled in Stryker and was giving lectures about the raid. Andrews Raiders: James J. Andrews, William H. Campbell, Samuel Robertson. Marion A. Ross, John M. Scott, Charles P. Shadrach, Samuel Slavens, George D. Wilson (eight executed in June 1862). Wilson W. Brown, Daniel A. Dorsey, Martin J. Hawkins, William J. Knight. John R. Porter, John Alfred Wilson, John Wollam, Mark Wood (eight who escaped in October 1862). William Bensinger, Robert Buffum, Elihu H. Mason, Jacob Parrott, William Pittenger, William H. Reddick (six who were exchanged in March 1863). Samuel Llewellyn and Ovid Wellford ("James") Smith (volunteered like the others, but missed the raid) . This historical marker was erected in 2018 by The Ohio History Connection, The William Knight Family, The Ohio History Connection. It is in Stryker in Williams County Ohio
William J. Knight
William J. Knight (1837-1916) was born in Wayne County, Ohio and raised by his grandparents, Jacob and Martha Knight, near Farmer, Ohio. After the outbreak of the Civil War, William enlisted in Company E, 21st Ohio Volunteer Infantry. On April 12, 1862, the twenty-five year-old Knight participated in “Andrews Raid" as an engineer. Led by James J. Andrews, the raiders stole the locomotive “General” at Big Shanty, Georgia, planning to cut telegraph lines and destroy railroad bridges and tracks as they headed north between Atlanta and Chattanooga. Above Ringgold, Georgia, the raiders were captured. Eight were executed. Knight and seven others escaped from an Atlanta jail on October 16, 1862 and made it to Federal lines. Six raiders were exchanged in 1863
(Continued on other side)
Andrews Raiders
(Continued from other side)
Knight and 18 other raiders were awarded the Medal of Honor for their roles. On September 27, 1864, Knight was discharged from the army upon expiration of his term of service. By 1886, he settled in Stryker and 
By TeamOHE, November 5, 2020
2. Andrews Raiders Marker
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was giving lectures about the raid.
Andrews Raiders: James J. Andrews, William H. Campbell, Samuel Robertson. Marion A. Ross, John M. Scott, Charles P. Shadrach, Samuel Slavens, George D. Wilson (eight executed in June 1862). Wilson W. Brown, Daniel A. Dorsey, Martin J. Hawkins, William J. Knight. John R. Porter, John Alfred Wilson, John Wollam, Mark Wood (eight who escaped in October 1862). William Bensinger, Robert Buffum, Elihu H. Mason, Jacob Parrott, William Pittenger, William H. Reddick (six who were exchanged in March 1863). Samuel Llewellyn and Ovid Wellford ("James") Smith (volunteered like the others, but missed the raid)
Erected 2018 by The Ohio History Connection, The William Knight Family, The Ohio History Connection. (Marker Number 9-86.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. A significant historical date for this entry is April 12, 1862.
Location. 41° 29.924′ N, 84° 25.648′ W. Marker is in Stryker, Ohio, in Williams County. Marker is on Chase Street 0.1 miles north of Shawnee Street, on the left when traveling north. Located in Oakridge Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Stryker OH 43557, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Stryker Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Stryker (approx. 0.4 miles away); Stryker's Railroad Heritage
By TeamOHE, November 5, 2020
3. William James Knight
By TeamOHE, November 5, 2020
4. William James Knight Marker
By TeamOHE, November 5, 2020
5. Andrews Raiders Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on April 26, 2021. It was originally submitted on April 26, 2021, by TeamOHE of Wauseon, Ohio. This page has been viewed 46 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on April 26, 2021, by TeamOHE of Wauseon, Ohio. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.
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