The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1914-08-28
Veterans of the Civil War.

The struggle now going on in gu
rope between the most enlightened ma
tions of the old world brings wildly
to the minds of our old veterans the
struggle in which they were engaged
SO years ago, and up to this time the
most gigantic struggle in history,
with the greatest loss Of life and de-
struction of property.
Crescent City has but few OF these
old veterans, most of them having
passed to the great beyond. But it
is proud to number one among its cit
liens at least who had prominent
and active part in that struggle. We
refer to Major j. l.. Burton.
Few of us who know and have daily
intercourse with this gallant old vet
eran, a product of the old south, rea-
lie how much he saw of that strug-
gle. Major Burton himself rarely
talks of the war unless someone
brings the subject up, and then his
modesty forbids a recounting OF MS
own deeds.
Among the living veterans of che
Confederacy, however, there are few
with a more brilliant military record.
Major Burton enlisted in 1861 at the
breaking out of hostilities in Compa-
nv D. of the Eleventh Alabama regi-
ment, which was a part of WllcoX's
brigade. and with this brigade ne
served to the close of the war, IN
April. 1865. AS a memento OF this
conflict he carries on his body seven
bullet marks. He enlisted as color
bearer, and for meritorious conduct
on the field of battle, was promoted
to the rank of major and put IN COM
mand of a battalion of sharpsno0t-
ers, participating in nearly all OF the
great battles of the Army OF the 70
tomoc. Six of his injuries were hesn
wounds, but the seventh was caused
hv a piece of exploding shell when
entered and larcerated his skull in the
sharp action before Petersburg, about
20 Years ago. Under his left Shout
der blade Major Burton still carries
one-ounce minnie ball which he re-
ceived at the second battle OF Manas-
sas and his left hand and arm show
heavy bullet scars. Altnough ~
heavily wounded Major Burton w was ap-
sent from his regiment but oo Gays
during the war, and then because Vi
tbe severe wound in his hand ana
which for a time the surgeon thoughC
would have to be amputated. 49,.
Major Burton's active career dlan
s+on with the cessation of hostllltles'
Some two years after the war he came
~ This section and his homestead was
inst west of the present town. he
JIIoo o,yned the present town site OF
Crescent City, which he after"aT9 I
Sold to C. r. Griffing for $25o;; ne
has been actively Unidentified with Ehe
hnilding ND of this section, and Tor
manv Years held the office of justice
of the Peace. His knowledge Oh col1-
ditions and the law made MN an at
vocate in the early day and MS eno[.s
were always on the side OF JusUiie,
He stood for the building up. OF the
county, and State on the principles -, OF
home rule and was in the thick OF the
foht which was waged for many years
10 rid the State of the carpet-bag ele1
wont When this was accomplished
No ior Burton took his place IN the
ranks. though his genius has always
rot him a lust recognition as leaaef
r evde.v good work for the upbulldlng
Of This section. 1t was the welcon-
ing hand of Major Burton that mas
been remembered most kindly by the
GREAT number of northern settlers VINO
have come here during the past 80
Years. All of them have carried away
The kindliest feeling for this Scared
veteran of the Confederacy, who was wa;
one of the first to recognize that the
We" Major Burton is rs years of age
now and he is a little slow, OF step,
but his Kindly eye still has the merry
twinkle that has made him famous as
the friend of all good people and tn I;
charitable Judge of the erring IN al "
the years he has dwelt among US. II
has been said of him that ne IS one
man among men who would divide his
last crust with any human beng II
want, He can be written down !; a
one who has loved his fellow man; Wh .l
has walked among us in the true Spiri
, of brotherliness. 1t will be sad Cd!
for Crescent City when the summon
. comes that will call him to hghe
: sphere of usefulness.