Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1872-03-22
The 4" Hero of Gettysbury.'
DEATH OF JOHN BURNS.

The death of John l.. Burns, known
as the =" Hero of Gettysburg" has been
announced. He died of pneumonia on
Sunday Feb. 4th, at The age of " years.
Toe Gettysburg Star says of him:
Mr., Burns, we believe, was native of
New jersey at least he came to this
country from that State 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 10 the traffic in every
form. With many peculiarities and
some weaknesses, he had essentially a
strong mind, somewhat cultured by gen.
eral reading in his earlier years. Patri-
otic in his impulses, he prided himself
much ON his connection with the war of
1912, and at the outbreaking of the re-
bellion, notwithstanding his advanced
age, sought admittance to the military
service. He volunteered under the first
three months call in the company organ
lied by Col. G. III. Buehler, but was not
accepted by the mastering in officer on
account of bis age. He next tried to
get in the Pennsylvania reserve corps,
and went to West Chester with the COM
pany organized by the Hon. Edward
Mcpherson, but was again rejected
Nothing daunted, he went to Washing
ton, and got into the wagon service for a
time. He was at home in Gettysburg in
1868, and on the first 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 mus
ket and Joined the Iron brigade as ii
was going into action. He was disabled
early in the fight, receiving a ball
through the calf of the leg, besides seve,
raj minor wounds. Finding himself dis
abled and the First Corps in retreat
the old man had presence of mind tc
appreciate the danger of being taken fol
a " bushwacker," beingin citizens clothes
He crawlei 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 be-
tween the two armies. This story he re
peated to rebel officer who came up
and the latter ordered him to be cared
for. He was carried to his residence il
town next day, and his wounds dressed
by rebel surgeon. When the rebels
evacuated the town, DIR. Charles Hornel
attended Burns. He recovered rapidly
and found himself suddenly raised tc
worldwide notoriety, ionized" when
ever he went, and his heroism celebrated
in song and story. His wife died few
years ago, and he leaves no family.
!, Mr.. Burns was in INDECENT circumstan
ees, depending on daily labor for supper
After the battle, he received frequen
and generous gifts of money, which hi
carefully husbanded and finally invested
in small farm in Mount Pleasan
Township, worth about $500. Con
gress, by special act, ordered his name tt
be enrolled on the pension list. He al
so received from the State of Pennsylva
MIA pension for services in the war o
1912.
Mr.. Burns made will week or tw,
ago, in which he ordered $500 to be in
vested for the support of child of al
adopted daughter. and gave the balanc,
of his estate to the Methodist church o
this place. This latter bequest, howeve
is invalidated by the act of the Assem-
bly, of 1855, which provides that no be
quest to religious society shall be vali'
unless made at least one mouth prior t.
death. Mr.. Burns died within one montl
after executing his will.