Howard Mather Burnham facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Howard Mather Burnham
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Lt. Howard M. Burnham
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| Born | March 17, 1842 Longmeadow, Massachusetts |
| Died | September 19, 1863 (aged 21) Chickamauga, Georgia |
| Buried |
Longmeadow cemetery, Longmeadow, Massachusetts,
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| Allegiance |  United States of AmericaUnion |
| Service/ |
Union Army |
| Years of service | 1861–1863 (USA) |
| Rank |  First Lieutenant |
| Commands held | 5th U.S. Light Artillery, Battery H |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War: Battle of Chickamauga |
Howard Mather Burnham (born March 17, 1842 – died September 19, 1863) was a brave soldier during the American Civil War. He is remembered for his courage at the Battle of Chickamauga in Georgia, where he sadly lost his life.
Contents
Howard Burnham's Early Life and Education
Howard Burnham grew up in Longmeadow, Massachusetts. He went to a military high school in Hamden, Connecticut. After that, he studied at Sanborn's school in Concord, Massachusetts. He also attended Lawrence Scientific School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, which is now part of Harvard University.
When the Civil War began, Howard was quick to join. On April 19, 1861, he enlisted in the Springfield City Guards. This was right after Massachusetts soldiers were attacked in Baltimore, Maryland.
Howard Burnham's Military Career
Howard Burnham joined the 10th Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry. He soon became a Second Lieutenant in the Fifth Artillery of the regular Union Army. For several months, he worked as a recruiting officer. He helped find new soldiers in places like Towanda, Philadelphia, New York, and Dubuque.
Later, he was sent to Fort Hamilton in New York for garrison duty. He hoped to become an Aide-de-camp (a personal assistant) to his uncle, Major General Joseph K. Mansfield. But General Mansfield was killed at the Battle of Antietam before Howard could join him.
After some time, Howard was promoted to First Lieutenant. He joined the 5th U.S. Light Artillery, Battery H. This unit was part of the Army of the Cumberland under General William Rosecrans. Soon after, he became the Chief of Artillery for the 1st division, 14th army corps. He worked on the staff of General Absalom Baird.
The Battle of Chickamauga: Howard Burnham's Last Stand
On the morning of September 19, 1863, Lieutenant Burnham was leading his artillery unit. They were in thick woods near Jay's Mill during the Battle of Chickamauga. Confederate troops were charging towards them. Howard tried to move his cannons away, but the enemy shot his horses.
With no way to escape, he ordered his gunners to load their cannons. They used "double-shotted canister," which meant loading two rounds of small metal balls. This turned the cannons into giant shotguns. Battery H fired, forcing the Confederates to take cover.
But Battery H did not have much infantry support. Enemy fire quickly shot down many of his gunners. Howard Burnham was shot in the chest and badly wounded. His second-in-command, Lieutenant Joshua A. Fessenden, asked if he was hurt. Howard bravely replied, "Not much, but save the guns!"
Lieutenant Fessenden later described the intense fighting. He said their battery was quickly surrounded. Many soldiers were killed or wounded, and the horses were shot. Lieutenant Burnham fell mortally wounded at the first fire. The battery was taken by the enemy after firing sixteen rounds.
Even though he was shot in the hip, Lieutenant Fessenden took command. He managed to rally his troops and even recapture their cannons. He also took one of the Confederate guns! Howard Burnham survived for two more hours after being shot. That day, 42 men in his unit were killed or wounded. More than a third of their horses were also shot.
General John King praised the officers of Battery H in his report. He said that Lieutenants Burnham, Ludlow, and Fessenden stayed with their cannons, firing until the enemy forced them away.
Howard Burnham's Family History
Howard Burnham came from a long line of notable people. He was a descendant of Thomas Burnham (1617–1688) of Hartford, Connecticut. Thomas Burnham was the first American ancestor of many Burnhams. His family members have fought in every American war, including the French and Indian War.
Howard's father was Roderick Henry Burnham, a lawyer and politician from Longmeadow, Massachusetts. His mother was Katharine Livingstone Burnham. Howard also had a sister named Emily Livingston Burnham.
Interestingly, Howard's second cousins were Mather Howard Burnham (who became a spy in World War I) and Frederick Russell Burnham, a famous scout.
