Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-20

JOHN BURNS.

The true story of John Burns OF Gettys-
burg is thus told by the Star of that place
Dir. Burns. we believe, came from New
Jersey many years ago. In his earlier
days he was Incorporate, but reformed.
and for many years not only abstained
from the use of all kinds of intoxicating
drinks. but was noted for his hostility to
the traffic in every form. With many Pc
culiarities and some weaknesses. he had
essentially strong mind somewhat cul
tured by general reading in his earlier
years. Patriotic in his impulses, he prided
himself much on his connection with the
war of 1872, and at the outbreaking of the
rebellion, notwithstanding bis advanced
age, sought admittance to the military
service. He volunteered under the first
three months call in the company organ
lied by Col. c. II. Buehler, but was not
accepted by the mustering-in officer on
account of his age. He next tried to get
in the Pennsylvania reserve corps, and
went to West Chester with the company
organized by Edward Mcpherson, but was
again rejected. Nothing daunted, he
went to Washington and got into the
wagon service for time. He was at
home In Gettysburg in 1868. and on the
lst OF July, as the First corps marched to
the rear of the theological seminary to the
relief OF Buford's cavalry. then engaged
with Lees advance, Mr.. Burns seized his
musket and joined the Iron brigade as it
was going into action. He was disabled
early in the fight, receiving ball through
his arm and another through the calf of
the leg, besides several minor wounds.
Finding himself disabled and the First corps
in retreat, the old man had the presence of
| ind TO ,satn 81 4 - III,
taken for ''b,lshwhacker, being in cit
liens clothes. He crawled some distance
from his gun. and when the rebels came
up. he denied having been in the fight,
and represented that he had been to the
country seeking for his invalid wife, and
was caught between the two armies. This
story he told to a rebel officer, who ordered
him to be cared for and his wounds
dressed by a rebel surgeon When the
rebels evacuated the town DR.. Charles
Homer attended Burns. He recovered
rapidly, and found himself suddenly rails
ed to worldwide notoriety. being ''lion-
lzed' wherever he went, and his heroism
celebrated in song and story. His wife
died few years ago, and leaves no fam-
lily. Mr.. Burns was in INDECENT circum-
stances. depending on daily labor for sup
port. After the battle, he received fre-
quent and generous gifts of money, which
he carefully husbanded and finally invest
ed in small farm in Mount Pleasant
township, worth about 1880. Congress,
by special act, ordered his name to be en-
rolled on the pension list. He also re-
ceived from the State of Pennsylvania
pension for services in the war of 1912.
Mr.. Burns made a will week or two
ago, in which he ordered $500 to be invest
ed for the support OF child of an adopted
daughter, and gave the balance of his es-
tate to the Methodist church of that place.
This latter bequest, however. is inyalida-
ted by the act of the Assembly of 1865,
which provides that no bequest to a relig-
ious society shall be valid unless made at
least one month prior to death.