I question the claim that James Polk Knight was the Sharpshooter who shot Gen. Sedgwick. I have been unable to find a record of his service. His brother Joseph A. however has been credited with having received the Texas Gold Star.
……….
The four Knight brothers of Co. H, 1st Texas, left a record of service and sacrifice - two were discharged for sickness, while the two remaining served until their paroles at Appomattox. One (Joseph) received the Texas Gold Star for bravery after being wounded four times.
https://books.google.com/books?id=I8EdAQAAMAAJ&q=%22Texas+Gold+Star%22&dq=%22Texas+Gold+Star%22&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj05YO41NzKAhUD9GMKHUM9AJIQ6AEILjAD
…………
Here are the four brothers who have records of service in the 1st Texas Infantry
1ST TEX. VOL. INF. REGT.
COMPANY H - TEXAS GUARDS
KNIGHT, ANDREW J. - Recruited at Kickapoo, Tex., Mar.20, 1862, age 18: Sick in hosp. most of 1862 & 1863: Dropped from rolls, Dec., 1863.
(2) KNIGHT, JOHN A. - Recruited at Kickapoo, Tex., Mar.20, 1862, age 26: Paroled, Appomattox (Apr.12, 1865).
(2) KNIGHT, JOS. A. - Recruited at Kickapoo, Tex., Mar.20, 1862, age 19: Received Texas Gold Medal for bravery, Feb., 1865: Paroled, Appomattox (Apr.12, 1865).
KNIGHT, WM. H. - Recruited at Kickapoo, Tex., Mar.20, 1862, age 24: Dischgd., Nov.26, 1862 for disability (lung disease).
texas-brigade.org/1st_tex/1texrostercoh.htm
…………..
The Texas Gold Star was a semiofficial medal awarded in 1865. A woman in Texas sent a package of nine golden stars to General Robert E. Lee with the request that they be awarded to “the bravest soldiers of Hood’s Texas Brigade.” Lee forwarded the stars to unit along with his approval for the award.
https://books.google.com/books?id=9dvYAQAAQBAJ&pg=PA2202&lpg=PA2202&dq=civil+war+gold+star+award&source=bl&ots=XerY3CDAIU&sig=h8ZcSyVTNJ44yM_ubbaKg3qPvTw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiq5caEl9fKAhUC0WMKHYVMA4EQ6AEIPzAI#v=onepage&q=civil%20war%20gold%20star%20award&f=false
…………..
A display case with one of the Gold Stars and the story of the stars is at the Texas Heritage Museum in Hillsboro:
This is the Gold Star awarded to Private James Polk Knight, 1st Texas Infantry.
The nine medals were awarded to:
Burke, James; Cpl.; 4th Texas Infantry (B)
Cook, J.W.; Pvt.; 3rd Arkansas Infantry (H)
Durham, William; Pvt.; 1st Texas Infantry (D)
Hemphill, Jacob; Sgt.; 5th Texas Infantry (H)
Knight, James Polk; Pvt.; 1st Texas Infantry (H)
May, W.C.; Cpl.; 4th Texas Infantry (H)
Patterson, James; Sgt.; 4th Texas Infantry (D)
Staples, J.D.; Pvt.; 3rd Arkansas Infantry (E)
Welborn, Cadmus; Sgt.; 5th Texas Infantry (F)
http://civilwartalk.com/threads/confederate-medals.6590/page-2
………..
Here is a portion of the story of his medal on display at Hillsboro:
James Polk Knight originally joined the 35th Texas Cavalry in Tyler, Texas on April 7, 1863 before being transferred that same year to the 1st Texas Regiment, part of Hood’s Texas Brigade, because of his skill as a master sharpshooter using a British-made Whitworth rifle with telescopic sights. He is credited with killing over 200 Union soldiers in the battles of Chickamauga, and the Wilderness. He was later captured near Chancellorsville and escaped, despite suffering a bayonet wound that punctured a lung.
It also states: “Knight is also believed to have been possibly one of the sharpshooters . . . . who killed Union General John Sedgwick from 700 yards at the Battle of Spotsyvania . . . Although it is unclear who actually shot Major Gen. Sedgwick - about five Confederate soldiers were credited with the kill.:
http://civilwartalk.com/attachments/img_20151120_104643160_hdr-jpg.85212/
………..
Knight Brothers, Civil War Heroes
Hood’s Texas Brigade
William Henry
James Polk wounded captured near Chancellorsville in 1864
Andrew Jackson
Joe A.
Moses Thomas
John Aaron
William R. C. Forest’s Cavalry
http://images.rootseekers.org/kaufman-county-families/K/Knight_140703.pdf