Erasmus Burt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Erasmus Burt
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Erasmus R. Burt
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| Born | 1820 Edgefield County, South Carolina, USA |
| Died | October 26, 1861 (aged 40–41) Leesburg, Virginia |
| Buried |
Jackson, Mississippi
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| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held | 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
| Spouse(s) | Lucy Ann Morgan |
| Relations | Eight children |
Erasmus R. Burt (born around 1820 – died October 26, 1861) was an American doctor, politician, and soldier. He worked as the State Auditor for Mississippi. Later, he was a member of the Mississippi House of Representatives. During the American Civil War, he became a colonel in the Confederate States Army. He was killed in battle at the Battle of Ball's Bluff in Northern Virginia. People remembered him as “the Father of the Deaf and Dumb Institute of Mississippi.”
Early Life and Work
Erasmus Burt was born about 1820 in Edgefield County, South Carolina. He was one of ten children. His father, Francis Burt, was also a politician. He served in the South Carolina House of Representatives.
Erasmus and two of his brothers, Matthew and Oswell, studied medicine. Erasmus first worked as a doctor in Alabama. Then he moved to Mississippi.
In 1840, Erasmus married Lucy Ann Morgan. By 1845, he was a doctor in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. He became a member of the House of Representatives for Oktibbeha County. He also served as the State Auditor. As a leader on the education committee, he helped start the Mississippi Institution for the Education of the Deaf and Dumb in 1854. This school helped children who were deaf or could not speak.
Civil War Service
When the American Civil War began, Burt formed a group of soldiers called the "Burt Rifles." This group became Company K of the 18th Mississippi Infantry Regiment. He started as a captain on April 22, 1861. He was promoted to colonel on June 7, 1861. His unit first fought at the First Battle of Manassas (also known as Bull Run) in July 1861.
At the Battle of Ball's Bluff near Leesburg, Virginia, Colonel Burt led his soldiers in an attack. They were trying to capture a Union artillery battery (a group of cannons). However, his regiment was caught in enemy crossfire. Colonel Burt was shot through his hip and stomach.
His soldiers were very upset by his injury. They fought even harder and pushed the Union soldiers back. Many Union soldiers were forced into the Potomac River. Colonel Burt was taken to a nearby house for care. He was promoted to general for his bravery. Sadly, he died before he could receive this promotion. His body was taken back to Jackson, Mississippi, where he was buried. He had eight children. After his death, his wife and younger children moved back to Alabama.
Honors
Today, the Mississippi Association of the Deaf gives out an award. It is called the Erasmus Burt Award.
