Collection of Civil War Items from William Burnside 81st New York Infantry, Wounded at Cold Harbo / SOLD
Collection of items belonging to William Burnside, once part of a larger grouping of artifacts from the three Burnside brothers of Hannibal, New York. William’s brothers enlisted in the 110th New York, and both died of disease during their service. William Burnside enlisted as a private in the 81st New York Infantry in December 1861. He was promoted to corporal in June 1863, and wounded in the June 3rd, 1864 assault at Cold Harbor when an artillery shell felled a tree on him. He was promoted to sergeant in November 1864 and mustered out with his regiment a month later.
The lot includes four images of William Burnside. Two are full cased, 1/6th plate tintypes of William in a frock coat with corporal’s chevrons. The third image is a full cased, 1/9th plate ambrotype of William in a New York state-issued shell jacket. The final image is a 7 ½” by 5 ½” albumen print of William seated wearing his frock coat and corporal’s chevrons. William Burnside’s belt is the NCO pattern constructed of blackened buff leather in very good, supple condition, complete with the 1851 pattern belt buckle with applied German silver wreath. William’s wartime chasseur-style kepi was likely privately purchased and remains in excellent condition. The leather visor is bound around the edge, and the thin, patent leather chinstrap is fixed to the cap with two cuff-sized staff officer’s buttons. The kepi has an oxblood leather sweatband and is lined with brown polished cotton and retains a faint maker’s mark in the crown. A false embroidered, stamped brass infantry horn and “81” are pinned to the front of the kepi. Included with the grouping are photocopies of images of the three burnside brothers, muster rolls, and a handwritten 1997 letter from the original seller. This is a wonderful grouping of artifacts from the only Burnside brother to survive his Civil War service.
William Burnside - 22 years old. Enlisted on 12/10/1861 at Oswego, NY as a Private. On 12/10/1861 he mustered into "E" Co. NY 81st Infantry. He was Mustered Out on 12/6/1864 at Chaffin's Farm, VA. He was listed as: Wounded 6/3/1864 Cold Harbor, VA (Wounded when shell fell a tree on him). Promotions: Corpl 6/15/1863. Sergt 11/1/1864.
Inventory Number: GRO 065 / SOLD