The Story of Layton Burner

Not much is known about Layton Burner, but we do know he was a volunteer for the Confederate 6th Calvary. He was a Private for his entire career. His date of birth is unknown but is estimated to be around 1839. He seemed to be an only child, and had no children or a spouse. He was recruited to the 6th Calvary in 1862, and stayed in the Confederate army until his death only 2 years later.

There is no known Census containing Layton Burner’s information. The only documents found were death records and where he is buried in Hollywood, CA. It was also known he lived in Virginia. There were quite a few battles he may have been in. These include: Battle of Wilderness, Battle of Spotsylvania Court House, Battle of Manassas 2, Battle of Mine Run, and lastly the Battle of Cold Harbor. The most probable of the battles he fought in, is the Battle of Cold Harbor.

It is suspected he fought in the Battle of Cold Harbor, due to him receiving a fatal gunshot wound while the Battle was in place. The 6th Calvary was a combatant in this battle so it is very possible that he died due to this battle. The Battle of Cold Harbor was from May, 31st 1864 – June, 12th 1864. The battle began when General Grant sent Major General Philip Sheridan to capture Old Cold Harbor, a strategic crossroads. The Confederates, under command of Major General Fitzhugh Lee, met the Union troops with heavy resistance. The Confederates received reinforcement from Major General Robert Hoke’s infantry. Even with the back-up the Confederates were pushed back past Old Cold Harbor, where the Union built defensive trenches. On June 2nd a last assault occurred leaving over 7,000 dead or wounded. On June 7th a 2 hour truce was declared so each side could aid it’s wounded. Grants later wrote "I have always regretted that the last assault at Cold Harbor was ever made… No advantage whatever was gained to compensate for the heavy loss we sustained.”

Medical records show he was injured sometime in June, and eventually died on October 8th 1864 to his wounds. Due to the time elapsed, in is very likely he died due to inadequate care, the wound not properly healing, or even an infection of the gunshot wound. He was the age of 25 at his passing. The official cause of death on the report is “exhaustion from gunshot wound”.

The man known as Layton Burner had very little information known. Hopefully this can help anyone hoping to research an ancestor or a family friend. He gave his life for what he believed in, and protected his home state. For this he is an American hero.

Works Cited

"The Battle of Cold Harbor." Civil War. History, n.d. Web. 8 June 2016. .

"Layton W Burner." Ancestry. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 June 2016. .

"Layton W Burner." Fold3. Ancestry, n.d. Web. 8 June 2016. .