William T Burnham
Representing: Union
Unit History
- 25th Indiana Light Artillery
Full Unit History
25th INDIANA VOLUNTEER LIGHT ARTILLERY BATTERY
Organized: 9 &10/1864 Indianapolis, IN
Mustered In: 11/1864 Indianapolis, IN
Mustered Out: 7/20/1865 Indianapolis, IN
Regimental History
BATTERY HISTORY:
The 25th was a one (1) year light artillery company/battery, being the last such organization to be recruited within Indiana. Its period of service was in the western theater of military operations during the American Civil War (ACW).
Leaving the state on 11/28/1864 the 25th travelled to Nashville, TN. It arrived there on 12/13/1864. Two days later (12/15) it was active in the battle for that place.
The Rebels defeated, the 25th participated in the pursuit of the retreating Confederates as far as Huntsville, AL.
it then remained at Huntsville until 2/1865 when it was placed on garrison duty in Decatur. It remained in Decatur until ordered home for final muster of its four officers and one hundred twenty five enlisted men.
BATTERY LOSSES:
Officers Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 0; Officers Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.: 0; Enlisted Men Killed Or Mortally Wounded: 1 ; Enlisted Men Died Of Disease, Accidents, Etc.:6.
Soldier History
SOLDIER:
Residence: Inf. Not Avail. Age: 18 yrs.
Enlisted/Enrolled: 9/13/1864*** Rank: Pvt.
Mustered In: 9/13/1864
Mustered Out: 7/20/1865 Indianapolis, IN
Highest Rank: Pvt.
Rank At Discharge: Pvt.
Family History
PERSONAL/FAMILY HISTORY:
William F. Burnham was born circa 1846. No specific month or day date are known. His place of birth was within the state of Indiana.
Father of William was Ellick Burnham. His mother’s name is not available within available documentation.
In 9/1864, near the end of the American Civil War (ACW), William enlisted in the U.S. Army Volunteer Light Artillery. He survived The War.
On 6/19/1870 in Vigo County, IN William married. His bride was Elizabeth “Eliza” E. Pearce (nee Barrett b. IN) Burnham. It appears that during their years together William and Elizabeth produced no children.
The U.S. Census of 1880 enumerated William and Elizabeth in Potsdam Webster County, NB. William’s occupation was listed as “farmer.”
1900. The dawn of a new century and time for a new census. That population tally found William and Elizabeth in New Whatcom (Bellingham) Whatcom County, WA.
A local newspaper printed the following in 1905:”W.T. Burnham, who was arrested in York Addition Saturday afternoon, was released from the county jail yesterday on application of his relatives who agreed to care for him. Burnham is slightly demented and at times images he is in communion with the Lord. When arrested Saturday he was giving invitations to residents of York addition to attend a reception to be given in honor of the Lord in the city park.”
Elizabeth E. Burham died 5/3/1908. According to her Washington State Death Certificate, the place of her death was in Pierce County, WA. This reported conflicts with the following article in the Bellingham newspaper:
Death of Mrs. W.T. Burnham (in part):
“Mrs. W.T. Burnham of this city died yesterday morning at her home at the age of 50. The body (is) awaiting shipment to Blue Hill, Neb.
Whatcom County’s Eldridge precinct census for 1910 noted William Burnham. His occupation was “farmer.”
William died 11/21/1933 in Bellingham, Whatcom County, WA. He was/is buried in the Woodlawn Cemetery.
Bellingham Newspaper Notice (in part):
William T. Burnham, aged 87, 1318 High street, this city, passed away at an early hour this morning….after about one month’s illness. Mr. Burnham had resided in this city the past forty years….and was a veteran of the Civil war. He leaves to survive him one brother (John) and one sister (Hattie).
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* The Whatcom Genealogical Society’s download Civil War Veterans in Whatcom County erroneously gives Mr. Burnham’s middle initial as T.
** The above-mentioned download mistakenly identifies this unit as Indiana Light Artillery Battalion 25.
***Enlisting/Mustering into the 25th IN on this same date was Albert C. Burnham. Likely Albert was William’s
brother. He survived The War and was mustered out on the same date and location as William.
NOTE: The preceding courtesy of the Whatcom Genealogical Society. Please see our Links page for information on how to obtain the download Civil War Veterans in Whatcom County (including June 2014 update) - from which much of the above information was obtained.
Posted: 418/2024
Updated:
Cemetery
Buried at Woodlawn Cemetery AKA Paradise Ferndale Whatcom Co.
Row: Block H Lot 17
Site: Grave H