Henry K. Burgwyn facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry K. Burgwyn
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| Nickname(s) | "Boy Colonel" |
| Born | October 3, 1841 Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts |
| Died | July 1, 1863 (aged 21) Gettysburg, Pennsylvania |
| Buried |
Historic Oakwood Cemetery
Raleigh, North Carolina |
| Allegiance |  Confederate States of America |
| Service/ |
 Confederate States Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1863 |
| Rank |  Colonel |
| Commands held |  26th North Carolina Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War |
Henry King Burgwyn, Jr. (born October 3, 1841 – died July 1, 1863) was a brave young soldier. He was a colonel in the Confederate army during the American Civil War. He sadly died in the famous Battle of Gettysburg.
Contents
Henry Burgwyn's Early Life
Henry Burgwyn was born on October 3, 1841, in Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts. His parents were Henry King Burgwyn, Sr. and Ann Greenough Burgwyn. They were on vacation when he was born.
Henry grew up in Northampton County, North Carolina. His family lived on a large farm called Thornberry. He went to Burlington College in North Carolina.
Henry really wanted to go to the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. But he never got in. Instead, he graduated from the University of North Carolina in 1857. He then went to the Virginia Military Institute and finished in 1861.
After school, Henry worked as an officer. He helped find new soldiers in North Carolina. He also worked at Camp Crabtree in Raleigh, North Carolina. There, he taught new soldiers how to march and follow rules.
Burgwyn in the Civil War
In August 1861, Henry Burgwyn became a lieutenant colonel in the Confederate army. He was only 19 years old! A famous general named Thomas Jonathan Jackson suggested him for the job. Henry joined the 26th North Carolina Regiment.
First Battles
Henry and his regiment fought in the Battle of New Bern. They fought against Union General Ambrose E. Burnside. Henry almost got captured during this battle.
Next, his regiment tried to attack a Union position at Malvern Hill. But their attack did not succeed.
Becoming a Colonel
In August 1862, Henry Burgwyn was promoted to colonel. He took charge of the 26th North Carolina Regiment. The previous commander, Zebulon B. Vance, became the governor of North Carolina.
Some people, like General Robert Ransom, didn't want Henry to be promoted. But Henry and Ransom didn't get along. So, the 26th Regiment was moved to a different group led by General J. Johnston Pettigrew.
Henry spent the end of 1862 in eastern North Carolina. He led his troops in small fights against Union forces. He also helped find and train new soldiers.
More Campaigns
Henry then led the 26th Regiment at the Battle of Goldsboro Bridge. His regiment was very active in General Daniel Harvey Hill's campaigns. These included the New Bern and Washington Campaigns.
After these battles, the 26th Regiment went north. They joined the Army of Northern Virginia. They arrived shortly after the Battle of Chancellorsville. When his regiment joined the army, Henry was thought to be the youngest colonel there. His 26th Regiment was also the largest in the army.
Gettysburg and His Final Battle
Henry Burgwyn and the 26th North Carolina Regiment marched north into Pennsylvania. This was part of the Gettysburg Campaign.
On July 1, 1863, at Gettysburg, the 26th Regiment fought very hard. They battled against the famous Iron Brigade in Herbst's Woods.
A Heroic Moment
As the regiment left the woods and reached McPherson's Ridge, Colonel Burgwyn was carrying the regiment's flag. He was shot through both lungs and badly wounded.
An eyewitness named William M. Cheek described what happened:
The color sergeant was killed quite early in the advance and then a private of F Company took the flag. He was shot down and the flag was taken up by a Captain McCreary, who was killed shortly thereafter. Then Colonel Burgwyn himself took the colors and as we were advancing over the brow of a little hill and he was a few feet in advance of the center of the regiment, he was shot as he partly turned to give an order, a bullet passing through his abdomen.
In total, 13 soldiers who carried the 26th North Carolina's flag were either killed or wounded that day.
His Last Words
Colonel Burgwyn died about two hours after he was shot. He was buried on the battlefield.
Another eyewitness, Fred A. Olds, was with the Colonel when he died. He wrote in a letter:
I remember that his last words were that he was entirely satisfied with everything, and "The Lord's will be done." Thus he died, very quietly and resigned. I never saw a braver man than he. He was always cool under fire and knew exactly what to do, and his men were devoted to him.
Because of his bravery, Colonel Burgwyn was put on the Confederate Honor Roll. In 1867, his family moved his body. He was buried in Historic Oakwood Cemetery in Raleigh, North Carolina.
