The problem with the history of Newt is there is no valid documentation to back it up. Also, his family's account of this history is very contradictory to actual events. Newt Knight was a murderer and a coward. He was not a hero nor was he fighting against injustice to him or his family.

He came from a slave owning family. He murdered his brother-in-law. He fought for the Confederacy. He was a deserter. He shot unarmed persons in the back. He was associated with several killings of individuals who were bushwacked. Jones County never seceded from the Confederacy. He never helped the Union forces.