The Collected Library, Including Americana and Early Photography

8 items. Conditions overall good. Some chipping and edge/corner loss to Tipton stereoview of Burns. comprised of the following:

5 photographs of or related to John L. Burns, including: CDV, full-length view of John Burns with rifle in hand, credited to E. & H.T. Anthony (Brady negative). -- CDV of Burns, credited to Tyson Brothers, Gettysburg, PA, with applied paper label on verso describing Burns and his actions at Gettysburg. Facsimile signature in lower margin below portrait. -- CDV John Burns' residence in Gettysburg, credited to Tyson Brothers, Gettysburg, PA. -- Stereoview of Burns, credited to W.H. Tipton, Gettysburg, PA. -- Stereoview of Burns, captioned on verso, "John L. Burns, the old Hero of Gettysburgh [sic], recovering from his wounds." Negative by Brady, Washington, published by E. & H.T. Anthony.

3 documents, each approx. 6 x 3 3/4 in., printed by W.H. Tipton in 1887, containing details about Burns and his accomplishments, produced in conjunction with a photograph of Burns originally taken by Tipton.

John L. Burns (1793-1872), a veteran of the War of 1812, was an enthusiastic supporter of the Federal cause but was denied enlistment due to his advanced age at the outbreak of war. He resisted the Confederates while serving as a constable of the town of Gettysburg. On the first day of fighting during the Battle of Gettysburg, Burns entered the battlefield with his outdated flintlock musket. He encountered a wounded Union soldier who gave Burns his more modern rifle and cartridges. He found the 150th Pennsylvania, approached Major Thomas Chamberlin, and obtained permission to fall in with the regiment. He would also fight with the 7th Wisconsin and the 24th Michigan, serving effectively as a sharpshooter. He was wounded several times but managed to convince the Confederates that he was a non-combatant. He then escaped and made it back home achieving national recognition as a hero for the Union cause.