Civilian Joins Union Army In Delaying Confederate Advance

“I am going out to see what is going on.” John Burns told his wife before leaving with his musket and joining Union soldiers in the defense of the small town of Gettysburg on July 1, 1863. He would be wounded several times during the course of the fight. Later that year, President Abraham Lincoln, met with Burns on his trip to Gettysburg to deliver the Gettysburg Address. Here is the story of his participation in the Battle of Gettysburg.

[WindersRanger]

“Get off my lawn”… John Burns, July 1863 probably

[Mack]

I remember reading (a number of years ago) the John Burns was a Veteran of the War of 1812, is that true or just a tale?

[maxshenkwrites]

I think "I told him not to go out there" is my favorite Civil War civilian story.
And for you who haven't read Tim's book on John Burns = get it! It reframes totally everything we've ever been told about Burns.

[markwright]

Looking at the scowl on his face the poor woman of the house probably heard of all his battles of 1812. that's 50 years of braggadocious. He finally got to get out there and prove his sand. Good for him, he also got wounded...He also met the President, good for him.

[MikeBurns-bixj]

Like my dad, my great, great, great, grandfather was stubborn also

[SilverFox-fqxi]

I think his actions that day show his true character more than his words spoken afterwards. Perhaps President Lincoln felt the same way, I would like to think so....

[Dog.soldier]

Different versions: every veteran ever

[chrisfruda]

He reminded me of our situation, of this situation, of my wifes father, ,but the fact of the situation of the matter of battlefield, my life family ancestor named, , I believed faught with co, g of the matter of battle this situation, of the matter Confederates named, the fact of the matter his name was actually, to be of the That I regiment, the the fact that he had to do something about it , he, had brother, named Thomas Hildreth who was at battle of, , FORT FISHER AND THIS SITUATION , NAMED A INTERESTING BERRY GROVE HILDRETH HAD TO Survive all the time of battle!"

[Zarastro]

This story always reminded me of that of Samuel Whittemore. A similarly crotchety old man who went out and shot at the British during the War of Independence.

[terryeustice]

Did not know the story of John Burn . Very interesting! Thank you for sharing

[billlawrence]

Give the old coot credit. He had some brass to get out there. But he was also an accomplished Bull Thrower. :)

[ae]

Somewhere between 1 and 7 times . It’s almost like the ghost of Kyiv or snake island holdouts except yankee 1863 version . Worth noting the civilians had nothing to fear of the southern army. Since the CSA made war against armies and uniformed men the citizens had nothing to fear even though they had sent their sons to invade sovereign southern states and commit atrocities against the elderly, women and children of the south. - the southern soldier did not rape, rob, pillage and burn like their counterpart because that would make them no better.