He was born on 26 July 1836, in Glasgow, Scotland, to Joseph Burns and Mary Russell. [sources: date: 17, 19; 4 (27 in 1864), 10 (28 in 1864), 14 (24 in 1860), 15 (34 in 1870), 16 (43 in 1880), 17 (63 in 1900), 18 (72 in 1908), 19 (71 yrs at death in 1908), 28 (27 in 1864). place: 4, 10 [28], 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 28. parents: 19]
In 1841, he immigrated to the United States. He was a naturalized citizen by 1870. [sources: 15, 17]
In 1850, perhaps he is the William Burns living in Oxford Township, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If so, he was living with Henry Lagere [?], a farmer. [source: 25]
In 1860, he was living in the first ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with Mary Burns (presumably his mother) and James and Thomas Burns (presumably his brothers). He was a bricklayer. [source: 14]
When he enlisted, he was a painter. [sources: 4, 28]
When he enlisted, he was 5 feet 7-1/2 inches tall, had a dark complexion, blue eyes, and dark hair. [sources: 4, 28]
He served in the Navy before joining the army. He served as ship corporal, on the USS Powhatan, at Dacotah, North Carolina. He was discharged on 28 August 1863. [sources: 7, 13, 20, 28 (USS Dacotah)]
He enlisted and was mustered into service as a private in company E, as a veteran recruit, for three years, on 2 February 1864, at Philadelphia Pennsylvania. Surgeon I D Knight examined him and certified him qualified. William C Stackhouse [presumably William C Stackhouse (K) and not William Stackhouse (D)?] was a witness to Burn's declaration; his enlistment was credited to the first ward, second district. (He was entitled to enlist as a veteran because of his prior service; see general orders, number 216, 14 July 1863, Washington DC, Adjutant General's Office.) He was enlisted by Lieutenant Howard W Shipley, and mustered into service by Lieutenant Burke. He was a private, in company E. [sources: 1 (nothing about vet status), 4, 10 (nothing about vet status), 11, 27, 28 (1 and 2 February are both listed)]
On the January-February 1864 company muster roll, he was listed as present. [source: 28]
On the March-April 1864 company muster roll, he was listed as present. He was due $110 bounty. [source: 28]
He was wounded in the hand while charging the enemy's works, on 18 June 1864 or 23 June 1864 at Petersburg, Virginia. A minié ball struck him in the right forearm. [sources: 1, 4, 28]
He was promoted on 23 June 1864 to corporal, for soldierly (or gallant) conduct in late battle. [sources: 1, 3, 4, 5, 10, 28]
On the May-June 1864 muster roll, he was listed as absent. He was due $110 in bounty. He was a corporal. [source: 28]
On 18 July 1864, he was admitted to Satterlee General Hospital (in Philadelphia) His right hand was severely wounded. Several fingers (apparently) were amputated on the field, and the wound was sloughing, and appeared unhealthy. [source: 28]
On 31 July 1864, he was (officially) discharged from Willets Point New York Hospital. (He was furloughed and never returned.) [source: 28]
On 1 August 1864, the wound still appeared unhealthy, with exposed 2nd through fourth metacarpal bones and a purulent discharge. One third of his forewarm was amputated 'by circular method'; he was under aether and chloroform during the surgery. [source: 28]
On 10 August 1864, the 'stump [was] inclined to slough'. [source: 28]
On the July-August 1864 company muster roll, he was listed as absent. He was due $160 in bounty. He was a corporal. [source: 28]
On 10 September 1864, the '[b]ones of [the] stump [were] much exposed'. [source: 28]
On 30 September 1864, he was experiencing a lot of pain, and the stump was swollen. [source: 28]
At some point (perhaps 30 September 1864?), the surgeon incised the stump on the side of the ulna, and found the ulna and radius denuded of periosteum to the joint (the elbow), with no inflammation at the elbow. The note describes Burns as 'being in good general health and spirits'. They apparently amputated his arm just above the elbow then. They were treating the wound with potassium permanganate, and giving Burns quinine and iron, and providing morphine sulfate (as a salve?). [source: 28]
On the September-October 1864 muster roll, he was listed as absent. He was due $160 in bounty, minus $2.06 for transportation from New York to Philadelphia. [source: 28]
On the November-December 1864 muster roll, he was absent. He was due $160 in bounty; $2.06 was to be deducted for transportation from new York to Philadelphia. [source: 28]
On the January-February 1865 company muster roll, he was listed as absent. He was due $210 bounty, minus $2.6 [sic] for transportation from New York to Philadelphia. [source: 28]
On the March-April 1865 company muster roll, he was listed as absent. He was due $210 bounty. $2.06 was to be deducted for transportation from new York to Philadelphia. [source: 28]
On the May-June 1865 muster roll, he was listed as absent. He was due $210 in bounty, with $2.06 to be deducted for transportation from New York to Philadelphia. [source: 28]
He was absent when the regiment mustered out. He was due $24.39 from- his clothing account, and $400 in bounty, with $2.06 to be deducted for transportation. He had not been paid since he enlisted. He was not discharged. [sources: 1, 10, 28]
On 19 July 1865, the assistant surgeon commanding Satterlee US General Hospital, in West Philadelphia, certified that he was disabled, because of loss of right forearm, caused by a gunshot wound received in action at Petersburg He rated Burns's disability as 3/4. He was mustered out on 31 July 1865. He was a corporal, in company E. [sources: 1, 10 (absent wounded), 11, 27, 28]
In 1865/66, he married Katharine Burns. She was born in May 1846, in Pennsylvania. They apparently had ten children, including these:
[sources: 15, 16, 17 (6 (?) children, 5 living in 1900), 18, 26 (10 children, 5 living in 1910)]
On 15 September 1865, he applied successfully for a pension. [sources: 13, 20]
In 1870, he was living in the first ward of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Catharine, with his son Thomas, and with several other people. He was a watchman, and owned $1,200 in real estate. [source: 15]
In 1880, he may have been living at 1120 Pearce Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. If so, he was living with his wife Catharine, and apparently not with any of his children. He was an exchange door keeper. [source: 16]
He attended the 1884 meeting of the 91st's Survivors' Association. [source: 2]
In 1890, he was living at 1205 Mosley, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He apparently had no occupation. He had lost his right arm above the elbow, and had a bullet wound in his left arm. [sources: 11, 12]
In 1900, he was living at 1538 McKean, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He was living with his wife Catharine, with his children Thomas, Katherine, Amanda, James, and William, and William's wife. He was a laborer, but was out of work 12 months in the previous year. [source: 17]
On 29 February 1908, he died at his residence, 1538 McKean Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, of organic valvular heart disease (duration 1 month 23 days), with pneumonia (duration 6 days) contributing. He was then a painter. The funeral was held on Wednesday, from 1538 McKean Street (his residence). Members of the US Grant Post, Number 5, Grand Army of the Republic, were invited. He was buried on 4 March 1908 at Mount Moriah Cemetery. [sources: 18, 19, 20, 23]
On 7 March 1908, his widow, Catharine Burns, applied successfully from Pennsylvania, for a pension. She initially received $8 per month. The pension certificate was dated 15 May 1908. [sources: 13, 20, 21]
Effective 19 April 1908, Catharine's pension was increased to $12 per month, under the Act of 19 April 1908. [source: 21]
In 1910, his widow, Katharine Burns, was living at 2449 South 20th Street, ward 36, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. She was living with her sister Elizabeth Burns, and Elizabeth's family. [source: 26]
On 18 March 1911, Catharine Burns died, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The funeral was held on 21 March, at her late residence, 2449 South 20th Street, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. [sources: 21, 22, 24]
1 Bates, Samuel Penniman. History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5. Harrisburg: B. Singerly, state printer, 1869-71. 5 volumes. 'Ninety-first regiment', volume 3, pages 186-233. (In the roster)
2 newspaper account of 1884 meeting, Grand Army Scout and Soldiers' Mail, 20 December 1884, page 6 column 2
3 list of non-commissioned officers, company E
4 descriptive roll, company E, entry 129
5 special order 55, headquarters, 91st Pennsylvania Infantry, 30 June 1864
6 [deleted]
7 e-mail, Bill Burns
8 [deleted]
9 [deleted]
10 Civil War Veterans' Card File, available at the Pennsylvania State Archives, searched 5 May 2004 (William W Burns)
11 1890 US census, veterans' schedule, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 580, page [1] (image 1889 on Ancestry) (William W Burns)
12 1890 Gopsill's Philadelphia directory (Wiliam W Burns)
13 pension index, by name (William W Burns)
14 1860 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, first ward, microfilm series M653, film 1151, page 355 = 257 handwritten (William Burns)
15 1870 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, first ward, microfilm series M593, film 1387, page 383 = 80 handwritten (William Burns)
16 1880 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 20, supervisor's district T9, film 1167, page 304 D = 36 handwritten (William Burns)
17 1900 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, 26th ward, supervisor's district 1, enumeration district 643, microfilm series T623, film 1468, page 58 A = 4 handwritten (William W Burns)
18 death notice, Philadelphia Inquirer, 3 March 1908, page 7 (William W Burns)
19 death certificate, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, 29 February 1908 (William Wilson Burns)
20 pension index, by regiment, 91st PA Infantry, company E (William W Burns)
21 Veterans administration, pension payment cards, 1907-1933 (Catharine widow of William W Burns)
22 Pennsylvania death indices, 1911 ('Burns, Catharine; 31806; Phila.; Mar. 18.')
23 Pennsylvania death indices, 1908 ('Burns, William W.; 23292; Phila.; Feb. 29.')
24 death notice, Philadelphia inquirer, Tuesday 21 March 1911, page 14 (Catharine Burns)
25 1850 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, Oxford Township, page 38 recto = 77 handwritten (FamilySearch) (William Burns)
26 1910 US census, Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, ward 36, enumeration district 907, microfilm series T624, film 1407, page 76 = 22 A handwritten (FamilySearch) (Katharine Burns)
27 index to compiled service records of volunteer Union soldiers who served in organizations from the state of Pennsylvania (William W Burns)
28 compiled service record, obtained from National Archives and Records Administration (William W Burns)
| line | 10 |
| Dwellings visited | [76] |
| Families visited | [79] |
| Name | William Burns |
| Age | 14 |
| Sex | m |
| Color | |
| Occupation of males over 15 years | |
| Real estate owned | |
| Birthplace | " [sc. Ireland] |
| Married within year | |
| Attended school within year | |
| Over 20 & can't read/write | |
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 |
| Dwelling number | 1796 | |||
| Family number | 2041 | |||
| Name | Mary Burns | James " | William " | Thomas " |
| Age | 53 | 31 | 24 | 19 |
| Sex | f | m | m | m |
| Color | ||||
| Occupation | Bricklayer | Painter | Bricklayer | |
| Value of real estate owned | ||||
| Value of personal estate | ||||
| Place of birth | Scotland | " | " | " |
| Married within year | ||||
| Attended school within year | ||||
| Cannot read & write | ||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. |
| line | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 | 39 |
| Dwelling-house number | 732 | ||||||
| Family number | 659 | ||||||
| Name | Burns William W | Catherine | Thomas | Thomas | Reed Charles | Dubois Martha | Thomas |
| Age | 34 | 24 | 7/12 | 31 | 9 | 18 | 24 |
| Sex | M | F | M | M | M | F | M |
| Color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| Occupation | Watchman | Keeping House | Bricklayer | Adopted Son | Boarder | Salesman | |
| Real estate value | 1200 | ||||||
| Personal estate value | |||||||
| Birthplace | Scotland | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Scotland | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | New Jersey |
| Father foreign born | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Mother foreign born | 1 | 1 | |||||
| Birth month if born within year | Oct | ||||||
| Marriage month if married within year | |||||||
| Attended school past year | |||||||
| Can't read | |||||||
| Can't write | |||||||
| Deaf, dumb, blind, etc. | |||||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old | 1 | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Male US citizen at least 21 years old who can't vote ... |
| line | 42 | 43 |
| street name | Pearce Street | |
| house number | [1120] | |
| dwelling visit # | [275] | |
| family visit # | 301 | |
| name | Burns William | Burns Catherine |
| color | W | W |
| sex | M | F |
| age | 43 | 33 |
| month born if born in year | ||
| relationship | Wife | |
| single | ||
| married | 1 | 1 |
| widowed/divorced | ||
| married during year | ||
| occupation | Exchange door keeper | Keeping house |
| months unemployed | ||
| currently ill? | ||
| blind | ||
| deaf/dumb | ||
| idiotic | ||
| insane | ||
| disabled | ||
| school this year | ||
| can't read | ||
| can't write | ||
| birthplace | Scotland | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Scotland | Penna |
| mother's birthplace | Scotland | Penna |
| line | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
| street | McKean | |||||||
| house number | 1538 | |||||||
| dwelling number | 58 | |||||||
| family number | 65 | |||||||
| name | Burns William W | - Katharine | - Thomas J | - Katherine | - Amanda | - James E | - William | - Mary J |
| relationship | Head | Wife | Son | Dau | Dau | Son | Son | D in law |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| sex | M | F | M | F | F | M | M | F |
| birth date | July 1836 | May 1846 | Oct 1870 | Nov 1878 | Feb 1881 | July 1882 | Oct 1871 | Nov 1873 |
| age | 63 | 54 | 30 | 21 | 19 | 17 | 28 | 27 |
| married? | M | M | D | S | S | S | M | M |
| # years married | 34 | 34 | 5 | 2 | 2 | |||
| mother of how many children? | 6 [??] | |||||||
| # of children living | 5 | |||||||
| birthplace | Scotland | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| father's birthplace | Scotland | Penna | Scotland | Scotland | Scotland | Scotland | Scotland | Penna |
| mother's birthplace | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna | Penna |
| immigration year | 1841 | |||||||
| # years in USA | 59 | |||||||
| naturalized citizen? | Na | |||||||
| occupation | Laborer | Bricklayer | Maid | Saleswoman | Soap wrapper | Salesman | ||
| # months not employed | 12 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| # months in school | ||||||||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| speaks English | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| owned/rented | R | |||||||
| free or mortgaged | ||||||||
| farm/house | H | |||||||
| # of farm schedule | ||||||||
| line | 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 |
| street | South 20th Street | ||||||
| house nr | 2449 | ||||||
| dwelling nr | 547 | ||||||
| family nr | 548 | ||||||
| name | Burns Elizabeth | - Margaret | Lillian | - Thomas J | - Louise | - Richard | - Katharine |
| relationship | Head | Daughter | Daughter | Son | Daughter | Son | Sister |
| sex | F | F | F | M | F | M | F |
| color | W | W | W | W | W | W | W |
| age | 67 | 35 | 34 | 26 | 24 | 21 | 63 |
| marital status | Wd | S | S | S | S | S | Wd |
| #years present marriage | |||||||
| mother of # children | 7 | 10 | |||||
| mother of # living children | 6 | 5 | |||||
| birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| father's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Scot English | Scot English | Scot English | Scot English | Scot English | Pensylvania |
| mother's birthplace | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania |
| immigrated | |||||||
| naturalized/alien | |||||||
| speaks English | English | English | English | English | English | English | English |
| occupation | None | Forelady | Asst. Forelady | Pipe fitter | None | Pipe fitter | None |
| nature of industry etc. | Sewing Room | Sewing Room | Gas Works | Gas Works | |||
| employer etc. | W | W | W | W | |||
| out of work 15 Apr 1910? | No | No | No | No | |||
| # weeks out of work 1909 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| can read | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| can write | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| school since 1 Sep 09 | |||||||
| owned/rented | R | ||||||
| owned free or mortagaged | |||||||
| farm/house | H | ||||||
| nr on farm schedule | |||||||
| civil war vet | |||||||
| blind | |||||||
| deaf & dumb | |||||||
I CERTIFY, that I have carefully examined the said Corporal Wm W. Burns of Lieut Theodore A Floyd's [sic] Company, and find him incapable of performing the duties of a soldier because of Loss of right forearm--caused by gunshot wound rec'd in action at Petersburg - Disability 3/4
I, William W. Burns born in Glasgow in the State of Scotland aged 27 years, and by occupation a Painter DO HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGE to have volunteered this First day of February 1864 to serve as a Soldier in the Army of the United States of America, for the period of THREE YEARS, unless sooner discharged by proper authority: Do also agree to accept such bounty, pay, rations, and clothing, as are, or may be, established by law for volunteers. And I, William W. Burns do solemnly swear, that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the United States of America, and that I will serve them honestly and faithfully against all their enemies or opposers whomsoever; and that I will observe and obey the orders of the President of the United States, and the orders of the officers appointed over me, according to the Rules and Articles of War.
I CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have carefully examined the above-named Volunteer, agreeably to the General Regulations of the Army, and that, in my opinion, he is free from all bodily defects and mental infirmity, which would in any way disqualify him from performing the duties of a soldier.
I D KnightI CERTIFY, ON HONOR, That I have minutely inspected the Volunteer, W. W. Burns previously to his enlistment, and that he was entirely sober when enlisted; that, to the best of my judgment and belief, he is of lawful age; and that, in accepting him as duly qualified to perform the duties of an able-bodied soldier, I have strictly observed the Regulations which govern the recruiting service. This soldier has Blue eyes, Dark hair, Dark complexion, is 5 feet 7 1/2 inches high.
I, William W. Burnes desiring to VOLUNTEER as a Soldier in the Army of the United States, for the term of THREE YEARS, Do Declare, That I am 27 years and [blank] months of age; that I have never been discharged from the United States service on account of disability or by sentence of a court martial, or by order before the expiration of a term of enlistment; and I know of no impediment to my serving honestly and faithfully as a soldier for three years.
GIVEN at Philadelphia the 1st day of February 1864Treatment. Liquor Potass permangan. to wound Quinine + iron internally.
Simple dressing at times as occasion seemed to permit. Moderate stimulants + Sal. morphine sulph. in modo prescripto.
| CLASS. | RATE. | DATE OF COMMENCEMENT. | DATE OF CERTIFICATE. |
| 8 | Mar 7 1908 | May 15 1908 | |
| 12 | APRIL 19, 1908. |
BURNS.--On February 29, 1908, WILLIAM W. BURNS, beloved husband of Catharine Burns in his 72d year. Relatives and friends, also the survivors of the 91st Regiment, P V, and U S Grant Post, No 5, G A R, are invited to attend the funeral, on Wednesday, at 2 P M, from his late residence, 1538 McKean st. Remains can be viewed Tuesday evening. Interment at Mount Moriah Cemetery.
I HEREBY CERTIFY, That I attended deceased from 1/1/1908 to 2/29/1908, that I last saw him alive on 2/29/1908 and that death occurred, on the date stated above at 5.57 P.M. The CAUSE OF DEATH was as follows:
BURNS.--On March 18, 1911, CATHARINE, widow of William W Burns. Relatives and friends are invited to attend the funeral services, on Tuesday, at 2 P M, at late residence, 2449 South 20th St. [I initially read the house number as '2440', but on reflection, the last digit looks more like a '9' than a '0', though I'm not confident I'm right] Interment private.