Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-02-14


JonN BtRNs.-1'he death of John L. Burns,
known az the "hero of Getty sburg," has been
announced. He died of pneumonia on Sunday,
the 4th, ut the age of II years, The Gettysburg
Star of Friday says OF hint
Mr.. Burns, we believe, was d native of New
Jersey; at least, he came to this country from
that state many years ago In bis earlier days
he was Incorporate, but reformed, and tor many
years not only abstained from the use oil all
kinds of intoxicating drinks, but was noted for
his hostility IL the traffic in every form With
many peculiarites and some weaknesses. he
had essentially a strong mind, somewhat cul-
tured by general reading in his earlier years
Patriotic in his impulses, he priied himself
much on his connection with the war of 1912
and at the out6reakng of the rebellion, notwiih-
standing his advanced age, sought admittancc
to the military service. He volunteered under
the first three months call in the company or
gunized by Col. G. H. Buehler, hut was not ac-
cepted by the muStenng-in officer, on account
of his age, He next tried to get into the Penn
Sylvania reserve corps, and went to West CheS-
ter with the company organized by the Hon
Edward NJ PherSon, but was again rejected.
Nothing dauntcd, he went 10 Washing
ton, and got into the wagon service for
a time. He was at home in Gettysburg. in
1868, and on the LIST of july, 0S the first
corps marched TO the rear of the thcOlOmical
seminary to the relief of Buford's cavalry, then
engaged with Lees advance, Mr.. Burns seized
his musket and Joined the lrCn brigade as it was
going into action He was disabled early in the
fight, receiving ball through his arm and an.
other through the calf of the leg, besides several
minor wounds. Finding himself disabled and
the first corps in retreat, the old man had pres
ence Of mind to appreciate the danger of being
taken for "bushwhacker," beng in citizens
clothes. He crawlcd some distance from his
gun, and when the rebels came uD he denied
having been in the tight, and represented that
he had been to the country seeking for his nya-
lid wife, and was caught between the two ar.
mics. This story he repeated TO a rebel officer
who came uD, and the latter ordered him to he
cared for. He was carried to his residence in
town next day, and his wounds dressed by a
rebel surgeon. When the rebels evacuated the
town DR.. Charles Horner attended Burns. He
recovered rapidly, and found himself suddenly
raised to worldwide uototety, heing 'Ionzed'
wherever he went, and his heroism celebrated in
song and story. His wife died a few years ago,
and he leaves no family.
Mr.. Burns was in INDECENT circumstances, de.
pending on daily labor for support. After the
battle he received frequent and generous gilts Of
money which he carefully huSbandcd and finally
invested in a small farm in Mount easant
Township, worth about 81 800. Congress, by
special act, ordered his name TO be enrolled on
the pension list. He also received from the state
OF PENNSYLVANIA pension for services in the
war of 1872
Mr. Burns made will a week or two ago, in
which he ordered $500 TO be invested Tor the sup
| port of child of an adopted daughter, and gave
the balance of his estate to the Methodist church
of this place. This latter bequest, however, is
lnyalidaed by the act of assembly of 1855 which
| provides that no bequest 10 religious society
| shall be valid unless made at least one month
prior to death. Mr.. Burns died within month
after executing his will
Bret Harte gives slightly different version of
| Inl pttta 10. I'll II
"He was the fellow who won renOwn-
| The only man who didn't back down
| When the rebels rode through his native town;
But held his own in the fight next day,
When all his townfolk ran away.
That was in July, stXty-three,
The very day that General Lee,
Flower of southern chIvary,
Bafied and beaten, backward reeled
From stubborn Mead ana a barren field.
He wore an ancient long bulfvest
Yellow saffrOn-but his best;
And buttoned over his manly breast
Was bright blue coat, with rolling collar,
And large gilt buttons size of a COLLAR
WIN tails that the country folk call 'Swaler.'
he he wore broad br1mmed, bell crowned hat,
White as the locks on which 1t sat-"
The soldiers joked him about his appearance
saying
% How are you, White HAITI Put her through
Your heads level and Bully for your
Called him 'Daddy'-begged him disclose
me name OF the talor VINO made his clothes,
And what was the value he set on those;
While Burns, unmindful of jeer and scott
Stood there picking the rebels Off
With his long brown rife, and bell crown hat
And the swallow tails they were laughing at.
=" Twas but moment, for that respect
Which clothes all courage their voices checked;
And something the widest could understand
Spake in the ole mans strong right hand"
After the battle,
"JOhn Burns-a practical man
Shouldered his rifle unbent his brows.
And then went back to his bees and cows"