The National tribune., 1886-08-19
JOHN BURNS OF GETTYSBURG.

A correspondent of the Democrat, of
Doylestown, Pa, has been on the hunt for a
hero Of Gettysburg-not Brigadier or
Major General who saved the day by his
courage and wise action, but a much hum
bier man, who fought as a private in the
ranks and whose deeds were celebrated in
stirring verse by Bret Harte. The story has
been that when the Armies of the Potomac
and of Northern Virginia gathered for the
terrible conflict all the male inhabitants Of
Gettysburg who did not run away hid in
their cellars, except John Burns, who took
down his old rifle, nodded some bullets,
filled his powder horn, and took his place in
the ranks Of a Union regiment, where he
fought stubbornly all through the battle,
receiving several severe wounds. The peo-
pie of Gettysburg deny this in toto and
with considerable asperity, denouneing John
Burns as drunken, lying old shoemaker,
saying that he did no more fighting than
ally Va AhC NOhbSpCOHlS, aAo tbob NhS
so-called wounds" were mere scratches
made by the briers while he was hunting
his COW on Seminary Ridge. After careful
investigation the correspondent Of the Demo
crat finds that the generally-accepted story
of John Burns's deeds is substantially true.
He was then 60 years old, and had tried sew
eral times to get accepted by the recruiting
officers, but had been rejected on account of
his age. In his youth he had been addicted
to strong drink, but had reformed, and dur
ing the latter years Of his life was strictly
temperate. One citizen of Gettysburg adj
mits that he saw him going out TO where the
fighting had begun with his rifle on his
shoulder cursing, as he walked along, every
male non -combatant he found above ground,
for "squaw," coward" etc. The remain
der of the story is told by Lieut.-Col. John
b. Calls, of the 9TH Wis. in these words:
On the LIST of July the Iron Brigade marched 10
the crest OF Seminary Ridge south Of the Seminary,
when we drew the unexpected fire of Archer's Con-
federate brigade-this being the first infantry firing
during the fight the previous fighting having been
done by dismounted cavalry. Our brigade. not
having their mus1ets loaded, charged and captured
Archer's troops with our bayonets, which took
place at willoughby's Run. After sending these 10
the rear, we reformed parallel with the and
sent out skirmishers 10 the front. when con-
tinuous firing was kept up, with shot and shell
whistlng aud bursting around the main line. At
this time, about ii a. m, saw object approach
ing US from the rear, and think the oddest-look-
ing person saw during the He wore bell
crowned hat. a blue swallow-taed coat with roll
ing collar and brass buttons and buff vest. lie
had on his shoulder old rifle with which he came
10 " present arms" and then said:
Colonel. is this your rcgiment7"
"Yes," said.
Then he brought his rife TO an order and said
"Can fight in your regiment?"
Unanswered, "old man you had better 20 to the
rear you'll get hurt"
And lac replied, just a shell burst near him,
"Tuti tuti tut! I've heard the whistle of bullets
before"
"These words were spoken in tremulous voice.
again ordered him 10 the rear. when he replied
No. sir; If you wont let me fight In your regiment
will fight alone asked him where his cartridge
box was. He patted his trousers pocket and said.
Here's my bullets, and, taking an old-fashioned
powder-horn from the pocket OF his swallow tail
here's my powder and know how to use them.
There 300 towards back in that town who ought
10 out OF the cellars and fight, and will show
you that there is man in Gettysburg who isn't
afraid Just then some Of the boys began 10 joke
him about his hat and TO insist that he should have
a chance to fight. Serg't George Eustice added
Fix him up; he'll soon ttred oft and go home
| j AT last yielded and with the Sergeants help we
] fixed him up with lyer-mounted rifle we had
just captured from ATcher's sharpshooters, and
leaned his old squirrel rifle against a tree. (This
| rife was taken care Of and may now be in the
fag-room nj Harrisburg, along with some other
relics Of the old heroD lie was given cartridge
box and belt but declined TO wear it, and instead
filed his pockets with fixed ammunition, after
which lac went into the ranks. lie soon grew rest.
less, as the general engagement had not begun
| and advanced 10 the front towards skirmishers
before he could see rebel TO shoot at Pretty soou
saw a Confederate officer advancing toward theii
skirmish-lne from the rear, and mounted on a gray
horse Burns drew on him, fred and the hors,
came galoping through lines without rider
The old man loaded and fred away until cae.
In my skrmishers and efhered my men back 10 th
Seminary. In making this movement i wa
wounded and left behind, our troops being gradu
ally forced back"
The correspondent goes on to say:
Burns was wounded three times but Jared bette
than his Colonel, as he taken TO the town 500
after the enemy had advanced over his body. III
was attended by DR. Horner, physician of the place
from whom i obtained some OF my facts. One G
the wounds was through his ankle, another throug
an arm, while a third a flesh wound in hi
breast 80 that the assertions Of some Of his neigh
bors that his wounds were scratches he got amonj
the briars while hunting cows, will hardly stand
He was given pension for his services q
Gettysburg, and in the Cemetery are tw
marble slabs on one of which is:
I John L. Burns,
The Hero Of Gettysburg,
Died Feb. 4, 1872,
Aged Is years,
3 I'm The other-