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You are here: Home / Museum Exhibits / [FEATURED EXHIBIT] Civil War Tintype of 2nd Lt. John K. Knowles

[FEATURED EXHIBIT] Civil War Tintype of 2nd Lt. John K. Knowles

July 2, 2017 By James Mitchell Varnum

John Knowles Civil War Tintype Photo
John Knowles Civil War Tintype Photo

A new tintype photograph is now on display at the Varnum Memorial Armory Museum. It is an image of 2nd Lt. John K. Knowles of Co. A in the 4th Rhode Island Volunteers. He enlisted on 14 August 1861 serving at New Bern, (possibly) Antietam, and Fredricksburg. He was killed in action at the Battle of the Crater (Petersburg) on July 30th, 1864. His body was never recovered as fighting continued for some days until a truce was finally called to bury the dead of both sides. From their regimental history, it reads:

Those bodies that were recognized and could be lifted on to stretchers without falling to pieces, were carried into our lines and buried. Pits were dug twenty or thirty feet long and about four feet deep for the rest. The poor fellows were then rolled, and in some cases, shovelled onto the stretchers, and dumped or laid in the holes, one on top the other, until within a foot of the top, and then covered with loose earth.

In course of time these bodies decayed. Subsequent storms washed the loose covering of earth down through, and for months after, until the end of the war, long rows of bleaching skeletons marked this field of awful slaughter.

John Knowles’ body still rests in one of these pits today. RIP and we should never forget his sacrifice to enable what Abraham Lincoln called, “a new birth of freedom”.

John Knowles Civil War Tintype Photo
John Knowles Civil War Tintype Photo

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Filed Under: Museum Exhibits, Varnum Memorial Armory Tagged With: 19th century, civil war, museum exhibit

[DEC. 12 DINNER MEETING] Speaker Greg Banner on The Halifax Disaster

December 3, 2022 By James Mitchell Varnum

In December 1917, a World War I ammunition ship blew up in Halifax Harbour, Nova Scotia. This massive event was listed as the largest man-made explosion in human history prior to atomic weapons and totally devastated the city. Thousands died. Our December speaker, Varnum Member Greg Banner, will describe the background, event, response, and results and discuss aspects of military, nautical, local, and emergency response history.

About the Varnum Continentals

The Varnum Continentals are committed to the preservation of the historic heritage of our community, our state, and our nation. Please take a virtual tour of our museums to learn more about our mission to encourage patriotism. You can participate with us through active membership and/or philanthropic support in our non-profit organization. Donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law. Museum tours are welcomed and our facilities may be rented for suitable events.

Our Mission

The Varnum Continentals are committed to encourage patriotism through the Varnum Armory Museum, the Continental Militia, and the James Mitchell Varnum House and thus to preserve, support, and communicate the military history of our community, our state, and our nation.

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