Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-08-14
DEATH OF R. B. STEARNS
One OF Burlington's Prominent Citizens
Passes Away After Long Illness
His Army Career.

Riley Burdette Stearns, died at his home
on South Willard street at an early hour
Saturday morning. The end was not UNI
expected as he had been suffering for a
long time from q fatal malady of cam
tyrous nature and for several days had
! zen in critical condition.
He is survived by a wife and two sons,
)hn y. and Joseph 7. Stcarns, both of
burlington, who were with him during his
lust days and a sister, Mrs. John w.
Adams of Shelburne Falls, Mass
Riley Burdette Stearns was born in Rock
irgham, VT. Aug 20, 1910. He received a
common school education and in BoS came
to BURLINGTON and entered the drug store
OF George c. Mosher. Shortly afterward
MI Mosher sold out his drug business to
joseph w. Roby and Mr.. Stearns served
as clerk with Mr. Roby until the breaking
out Of the Civil War.
He enlisted from Burlington, Gun
dor the first call for troops) May 2.
1851. In Co., II. of the First Vermont reSl-
rlent, and served in the ranks throughout
the term of that regiment, to August 10,
N. November 80, 81, he enlisted again
IN the Seventh Vermont volunteers. ana
vas appointed first sergeant of Co. a,
October IL, '62, he was commissioned az
first lieutenant of Co.. A, and was promot-
"a to be captain of Co., X. Of the Seventh
September %, "a. During most OF the
Year, 1854 he was the acting adjutant OF
the regiment. He shared the arduous ser
vice and trying experiences of the Seventh
regiment in the department of the Sulf.
in the siege of Ncksburg; the battles of
J,aton Rouge. La, and Gonzales Station,
Ia; the Mobile campaign ana siege or
Spanish fort. During the sege Of the fort,
which was one OF the principal dcfenses
of Mobile. Captain Stcarns was station d
on the picket line, on the goth of March,
'S65. under fire from the guns of the fort,
and the next day was captured with
wenty men Of his company. by force OF
the enemy which made a sortie from the
fort, under cover of the artillery fire and 10y
setting fire to the woods and underground
between that portion of the United states
picket line and the main line of the com
nand. The smoke from this fire hid the
onemys movements from the view of the
Union generals. SO that no attempt to sUp-
port Captain Stearns was made. ard his
capture was inevitable. lie was commend
cd by his colonel and brigade commander,
and by the Confederate general in com
mand of the fort, for the courage and the
tenacity with which he held his position for
many hours and until further resistance
was useless. He was g prisoner In the
IN the enemys hands. for several weeks,
during the closing hostiities of the war,
and received an honorable discharge from,
the service May 15 1865 He was a good
soldier and a capable officer. He retain cd
10 the last his pride in his patriotic service.
and was held in high esteem by his
brothers in arms.
After being mustered out of the service
Mr.. Stearns Immediately resumed his
position with Mr.. Roby and in 1870 formed
partnership with Albert G. futile under
the firm name of r. Il. Stcarns & Co, the
new firm buying out Mr.. Robys business.
He was associated with Mr.. futile for
about % years, when Mr.. futile withdrew
from the firm. a few years previous to
his withdrawal William j Henderson
was admitted to the firm and in 1890 Mr..
Stoarns sold out his interest to Mr.. Hen
derson rcsering the right of the firm
name. and bought out Beaupro & Lowrey,
being in business for himself from that
time until his death.
Mr.. Stearns was president Of the Bur
]ingtOn Retail Druggists association and
was member of the Military Order of
the Loyal Legion and the Reunion Society
of Vermont officers