Ward B. Burnett Papers: A Guide

Ward B. Burnett Papers:

A Guide


Descriptive Summary
	Creator:	Burnett, Ward B. (Ward Benjamin)
	Title:	Ward B. Burnett Papers
	Inclusive Dates:	1806-1884
	Bulk Dates:	1846-1848
	Abstract:	Ward B. Burnett, a Pennsylvania native, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1832. He resigned from the army in 1836 and became a civil engineer. When the U.S. war with Mexico began, Burnett enlisted as colonel of the First New York Volunteers, and was engaged with his regiment in the seige of Vera Cruz, the battle of Cerro Gordo, the battle of Contreras, and the battle of Churubusco, where he was severely wounded. His regiment was disbanded August 1, 1848. Following the Mexican War, Burnett held positions as superintendent of the dry docks in the Philadelphia and Brooklyn navy yards, chief engineer of water works in Brooklyn and Norfolk, Virginia. From 1858 to 1860, Burnett served as the U.S. surveyor general for the Kansas and Nebraska Territories. Burnett died in Washington, D.C., on June 24, 1884, and was buried at West Point. This collection is primarily comprised of records of the 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers, held by the its colonel, Ward B. Burnett. The military records include rosters, muster roll, list of casualties, correspondence, and manuscript general and regimental orders. Personal correspondence, legal documents, and genealogical materials are also included.
	Identification:	Unprocessed mss. 2009-41
	Extent:	1 box (0.25 linear ft.)
	Language:	Materials are in English.
	Repository:	Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library

Biographical Note

Ward B. Burnett, a Pennsylvania native, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1832. He resigned from the army in 1836 and became a civil engineer. When the U.S. war with Mexico began, Burnett enlisted as colonel of the First New York Volunteers, and was engaged with his regiment in the seige of Vera Cruz, the battle of Cerro Gordo, the battle of Contreras, and the battle of Churubusco, where he was severely wounded. His regiment was disbanded August 1, 1848. Following the Mexican War, Burnett held positions as superintendent of the dry docks in the Philadelphia and Brooklyn navy yards, chief engineer of water works in Brooklyn and Norfolk, Virginia. From 1858 to 1860, Burnett served as the U.S. surveyor general for the Kansas and Nebraska Territories. Burnett died in Washington, D.C., on June 24, 1884, and was buried at West Point.

Scope and Contents

This collection is primarily comprised of records of the 1st Regiment of New York Volunteers, held by the its colonel, Ward B. Burnett. The military records include rosters, list of casualties, correspondence, and manuscript general and regimental orders. A leather-bound manuscript ledger contains the final regimental muster roll with remarks describing injuries, deaths, desertions, and discharges of its soldiers. Two officer commissions for Burnett are included (major, 1843; brigadier general, 1853) as are other Burnett family historical documents and a December 25, 1847 issue of The Weekly Herald (New York) reporting news from the war with Mexico.

Restrictions

Access

Open for research.

Literary Rights Statement

Permission to publish, reproduce, distribute, or use by any and all other current or future developed methods or procedures must be obtained in writing from Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library. All rights are reserved and retained regardless of current or future development or laws that may apply to fair use standards.


Index Terms
	These materials are indexed under the following headings in the catalog of The University of Texas at Arlington Library. Researchers desiring materials about related topics, persons or places should search the catalog using these headings.
	Persons
		Burnett, Ward B.--(Ward Benjamin),--1811-1884--Archives.
	Organizations
		United States--Army--New York Regiment, 1st (1846-1848).
		United States--Army--New York Regiment, 1st (1846-1848)--History.
	Subjects
		Mexican War, 1846-1848--Regimental histories.
	Alternate Titles
		Historical Manuscripts Collection