Henry Stanton Burton facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Henry Stanton Burton
|
|
|---|---|
| Born | May 9, 1819 West Point, New York |
| Died | April 4, 1869 (aged 49) Fort Adams, Newport, Rhode Island |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |
 United States ArmyUnion Army |
| Years of service | 1839 - 1869 |
| Rank |  Colonel Brevet Brigadier General |
| Unit | 3rd U.S. Artillery Regiment 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers |
| Commands held | Fort Delaware 5th U.S. Artillery Regiment Artillery Reserve, Army of the Potomac |
| Battles/wars | Second Seminole War Mexican–American War American Civil War |
Henry Stanton Burton (born 1819, died 1869) was an important American Army officer. He graduated from West Point, a famous military school. He fought in three big wars: the Second Seminole War, the Mexican–American War, and the American Civil War.
Contents
Early Life and Training
Henry Stanton Burton was born on May 9, 1819, in West Point, New York. His father worked there as a sutler, which was someone who sold supplies to soldiers.
Burton joined the United States Military Academy at West Point. He graduated on July 1, 1839. After graduating, he became a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd U.S. Artillery Regiment.
First Military Experiences
From 1839 to 1842, Burton served in the Florida Indian War. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on November 11, 1839. Later, from 1843 to 1846, he worked as an assistant instructor. He taught infantry and artillery tactics at West Point.
Service in the Mexican-American War
During the Mexican–American War, Henry Burton became a Lieutenant Colonel. He was second in command of the 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers. The U.S. Army accepted this group in August 1846. They traveled around Cape Horn by ship to California. There, they served as soldiers protecting different areas.
Battles in Baja California
Parts of Burton's command fought in the Pacific Coast Campaign. This campaign took place in Baja California. They were involved in the Battle of La Paz and the Siege of La Paz. They also helped defeat Mexican forces at the Skirmish of Todos Santos. Burton's soldiers stayed in Baja California until a peace treaty returned the area to Mexico.
Life in California
As the war ended, Baja California was set to remain part of Mexico. However, Alta California would become U.S. territory. Burton offered to help people from Baja California move to Alta California. This way, they could become United States citizens.
Burton returned to Monterey with his soldiers and the people who had moved. On July 9, 1849, he married Maria Amparo Ruiz y Aranjo, one of the refugees. His volunteer regiment ended in October 1848. Unlike many soldiers who went to look for gold, Burton returned to his regular army duties. He had been promoted to Captain on September 22, 1847.
In 1852, he bought Rancho Jamul near San Diego. He officially claimed it as his home on March 3, 1854. In 1855, he went to San Diego to command the post at Mission San Diego de Alcalá. He first set up a temporary camp called Camp Burton. Later, he moved into the abandoned Mission San Diego de Alcalá. During this time, he lived at Rancho Jamul with his family.
American Civil War
Captain Burton stayed in California, serving at various forts until 1862. The American Civil War had begun. He was promoted to Major on May 14, 1861. He was then ordered to Delaware. There, he commanded the Fort Delaware military prison until 1863.
Promotions and Commands
On July 25, 1863, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the U.S. 4th Artillery Regiment. Soon after, on August 11, 1863, he became a Colonel in the U.S. 5th Artillery Regiment. From 1863 to 1864, he commanded the Artillery Reserve of the Army of the Potomac. He also worked as an inspector of artillery during the Richmond Campaign. This was in the Department of the East. Starting in 1864, he was part of a board that decided when officers could retire. On March 13, 1865, he was given the honorary rank of Brevet Brigadier General. This was for his role in the capture of Petersburg, Virginia.
After the War
After the Civil War, Burton continued to command the 5th U.S. Artillery Regiment. He served at Fort Monroe, Virginia, and later in Columbia, South Carolina. He also commanded troops in Richmond, Virginia, and at Fort Adams, Rhode Island. From October 1868 to March 1869, he was on court martial duty in New York City. Henry Stanton Burton passed away on April 4, 1869, at Fort Adams, in Newport, Rhode Island. He was buried at West Point.
See also
In Spanish: Henry Stanton Burton para niños
