Absalom Burleyson
Company B 10th North Carolina Heavy Artillery
Absalom was the son of William “Billie” and Sarah Harwood Burleyson of Little Bear Creek in Stanly County. Both Billie’s and Sarah’s Grandfathers fought in the American Revolution. Absalom volunteered for the Artillery on August 9, 1862. His service was in coastal defense of North Carolina until November 1864 when they were sent to Georgia to oppose Sherman’s March to the Sea. The 10th was at camp in Bush Hill, Randolph County on April 29, 1865 almost three weeks after General Lee’s surrender.
My in-depth study of Absalom’s record reveals the stress of the times. The ever-present fear of being killed in any action was always there. For all soldiers death from disease was more prevalent, the individual had very little control. Peer pressure alone made every soldier meet these challenges. Families back home were the most important thoughts for all the North Carolina soldiers. Absalom was one of these.
Absalom enlisted at the time wife Sarah Anne Sides Harwood was six-months pregnant with daughter Minnie who was born on February 20, 1863. In June he came home on a 10-day furlough, but stayed several months. Upon returning to the Army he was placed under arrest where he faced a chance of the firing squad, but was returned to service October 1, 1863. His second daughter, Jane Alice, was born June 7, 1864.
Absalom’s biggest battle against Sherman was at Averasboro, an artillery dual, and the battle at Bentonville that sealed the fate of the Confederate States. He returned home to see a daughter he had seen only one time and a new daughter age ten months he had never seen before.
The war’s end brought home many veterans like Absalom. The real heroes are the wives and family. I am proud to be a great grandson of Absalom and Sarah Anne.
227 Words Submitted by:
John Hoyle Burleyson
Burleson Family Research Group
Albemarle, NC 28001
Adam Burleyson
1st Junior Reserves and Company D 28th North Carolina
Adam was the son of Lee and Elizabeth Almond Burleyson of the Endy Community. Like all 17-year-olds Adam was conscripted for Confederate Service. The 1st Junior Reserves was raised to defend the Coastal area of our State.
The 1st Junior Reserves saw action at several battles of Eastern North Carolina. The 1st Junior Reserves were sent to Weldon, North Carolina to defend it’s vital railroad junction there. The 13th North Carolina Artillery was also dispatched to Weldon. Lee Burleyson, a member of the 13th was serving in the same defense as his son Adam. We do not know if the father and son knew of each other’s presence, but this was a small defense and it would be hard to imagine that each would not have know the other was there. What we do know is that Adam enlisted into Company D, “The Yankee Hunters of Stanly County” the same day that his Father died at Weldon. He surrendered at Appomattox at the age of 19.
In his later years, Adam was known as “Cap” or “Captain” to his family. I often wondered if the nickname “Cap” was bestowed on this Private, 19-years-old, at the wars end because of the number of caps he popped at the Yankees after his father’s death.
200 words Submitted by:
John Hoyle Burleson
Burleson Family Research Group
20834 Hwy 73, Albemarle, NC 28001
Ebin Burleson
January 11, 1839 – January 27,1927
Ebin was born and raised in Stanly County, NC. His parents were William (Billie) & Sarah Harwood Burleson. Billie was born January 29, 1812 to Isaac Burleson Jr. and Catherine Castle. Sarah Harwood was born 1810, to Howell and Celia Harwood. Ebin was named after Sarah Harwood’s uncle Ebin Harwood. Billie and Sarah had five sons, Ebin, Absalom, and Howell were named after her Harwood family. William and Isaac were named after the Burleson Family. Billie died November 27, 1896 and is buried at Friendship Methodist Church Cemetery. Sarah died before 1860, and was buried in the Harwood Cemetery.
Ebin and his first wife Mary Catherine Sides, daughter of Charles and Sophia Lylery Sides, did not have children. Mary died February 11, 1891, and she is buried in Friendship Methodist Church Cemetery. Ebin married Dora Hopkins, April 16, 1893, she is daughter of Ephriam Hopkins and Henrietta Carter. She was born January 7, 1874 in Stanly County and died April 5, 1951 and Ebin died January 27, 1927. Ebin and Dora are buried in the Burleson Cemetery #2 on Parker Road.
Ebin and Dora raised eight children on a farm on Burleson Road, Stanly County, NC: Gennie Burleson was born January 1893, she married Barney Morris. They had three children, Ruth, Felon and Velsa. John Ray Burleson, was born July 27, 1896 and he married Gladys Russell December 21 1919. They were living with her parents Thomas & Elizabeth Hill Russell on Love Street in Albemarle in the 1820 NC Census. They raised eight children: Rachel, Brodus, Roy, Odis, Jessie, Ruth, Bobby and Peggy. William Shellie Burleson was born January 6, 1898. He married Tina Vanhoy, December 19, 1923 and they raised five children: Billy, Polly, Calvin, Lowell and Jeanette. Shellie died May 1, 1975 and Tina died 1995 and both are buried at Mountain Creek Primitive Baptist Church Cemetery, New London, NC. Dewey Henry Burleson was born May 2, 1900 and he married Mattie M. Rowland. They had two children: Lewis Alvin who died as a infant and Mildred. Mattie died in 1931, and Dewey and his baby, Mildred went to lived with Dora. Lizzie Burleson was born July 24, 1903 and she died September 9, 1908. She was only five year old and she is buried the Burleson Cemetery with Ebin & Dora. Addie Jerome Burleson was born May 18, 1907. She married Alexander Paul Bass Sr. They had two children, Ruby Ellen and Alexander Paul Bass Jr. They moved to Lenoir City, TN to raise their family. Dallie Mae Burleson was born April 4, 1914. She married George Treece, and they had two children, Bertha and George. Marvin Burleson was born February 12, 1917. He married Ruby Irene Almond February 4, 1939 and they raised six children: Jacqueline, Henrietta, Melvia Jean, Carolyn Ann, Nancy Kay and Roger Dale. Marvin died November 23, 1989 and Ruby died November 11, 1991 and both are buried at Plyer Baptist Church, Stanly County, NC.
500 words Submitted by:
Calvin Burleson
Burleson Family Research Group
1240 St. Peters Church Road
Gold Hill, NC 28071
Dallie Mae Burleson
Living, True Daughter of a Confederate Veteran
Dallie Mae Burleson was the youngest daughter of Ebin Burleson, Company K, 28th North Carolina.
Ebin Burleson’s first wife, Mary Catherine Sides died in 1891. They had no children. Ebin married Dora Hopkins when he was 54 years old and Dora was only 19 on April 16, 1893.
Ebin and Dora raised eight children in Stanly County on a farm on Burleson Road. Dallie Mae Burleson was the youngest daughter, born on April 4, 1914. She married George Treece and they had two children, Bertha and George.
Dallie Mae Burleson was honored as one of only eight living True Daughters of Confederate Veterans at the October 2000 Burleson Family Reunion. A Honorguard provided by the 14th North Carolina Reactivated, a seven-man company, including Sergeants Mike Long and Tommy Hoglon, escorted Dallie Mae to the front of the stage where she was presented a True Daughter certificate and life membership by Lois Huneycutt, president of Albemarle Chapter 1023 United Daughters of the Confederacy. J. D. Burleson, representing Point Lookout Prisoner of War organization presented a second certificate of Life membership to the Point Lookout organization.
Ebin, at age 24, enlisted in Company K, 28th North Carolina on March 15, 1862. He served in the Branch/Lane Brigade of General A. P. Hill’s famous “Light Division”, Stonewall Jackson’s Corp of General Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. He served in some of the toughest battles until the very last day when Richmond fell on April 2, 1865 and Ebin was captured at Petersburg and sent to Point Lookout Prison Camp in Maryland. Ebin was release from prison on June 23, 1865.
Today March 1, 2002, this true daughter at the age 89, Dallie Mae Burleson, resides in a rest home in Rowan County.
282 words Submitted by:
Nancy L. Burleson
Burleson Family Research Group
Albemarle, NC
David Derrick Burleyson
Company F 5th North Carolina Infantry
David was the son of Joseph and Nancy Rogers Burleyson of Little Bear Creek in Stanly County. He was orphaned at age 11 and bound out to several prominent members of the area. His professions were Farming and Trading. When the War of Northern Aggression came, 26-year-old David Derrick was conscripted into the 5th North Carolina Regiment Iverson Brigade. David had hazel eyes and light hair and stood 5 feet 8 inches in height.
Iverson Brigade was part of General Robert E. Rodes Division of General Robert E. Lee’s Army of Northern Virginia. The 5th North Carolina Infantry fought in all of General Lee’s campaigns with honor. David’s record was like that of many other soldiers. He was married when he was called to War. David served his duty until May of 1863 when he deserted to go home to see his family.
David returned to Company F of the Army of Northern Virginia prior to action and being captured at Strasburg, Virginia on October 19, 1864. All of General Lee’s men captured in combat after Gettysburg were sent to the infamous Point Lookout Prison in Maryland. David was released in June 1865 three months after the war ended. He then returned to Stanly County to his wife Elizabeth Jane Mann and a child he had never seen.
221 Words Submitted by:
John Hoyle Burleson
Burleson Family Research Group
20834 Hwy 73, Albemarle, NC 28001
Dennis Burleyson
Company G 70th Regiment 1st Junior Reserves
Dennis was conscripted into the Confederate Army at the age of 17. His company muster roll tells us he was 5 foot 8 inches tall. He had a fair complexion with light hair and blue eyes that is prevalent in the Burleson family.
The third son of Joseph and Lucy Almond Burleson entered service on June 2, 1864. Disease took more lives than hostile fire in the War Between the States. The last surviving record of Dennis’s service lists him as “Transferred to hospital February 22, 1865”.
Records after February did not survive for us to review today so I don’t know what unit he was assigned to when he turned 18 years old. What we do know is that he survived the War unlike his two older brothers, but I fear his health was damaged.
After the war Dennis married Mary Louise Furr on December 20, 1865 and died leaving no children on May 18, 1905. Dennis was a young warrior that gave his youth for our State.
170 words submitted by:
John Hoyle Burleson
Burleson Family Research Group
20834 Hwy 73, Albemarle, NC 28001
Ebin Burleson
Private Company K, 28th North Carolina Troops Branch/Lane Brigade
Ebin Burleson was born January 11, 1839, the son of William (Grand-paw Billie) and Sarah Harwood Burleson. He was a farmer and a life long resident of Stanly County and made his home on Burleson Road. According to his military records, he had fair complexion, red hair, blue eyes and was five and a half feet tall. At age 24, he enlisted for the war on March 15, 1862 and fought in all of Lee’s campaigns. Ebin was a member of Company K. 28th NC Regiment which was part of the Branch/Lane Brigade. He witnessed his companies’ regimental flag being taken at he wall by the 126th NY Inf. It was during that battle that cousin J. Benjamin Burleson, 37th NC Infantry, left on the field, wounded for the third time (once in the hand at Fredericksburg), was captured and sent to Point Lookout POW camp.
On April 2, 1865 Ebin was captured at Petersburg. He too, was sent to Point Lookout POW Camp until his release on June 23, 1865. Family tradition says, Ebin was starved half to death and was almost blind when he arrived home. It took several years for him to recover.
Ebin was active in Stanly County’s reunions of Confederate Veterans. He died at the age of 89 on January 27, 1927, and was buried at Burleson Cemetery #2 on Parker Road in Stanly County, NC, where he rests today with his wife Dora Hopkins Burleson.
250 words Submitted by:
John D. (JD) Burleson
Burleson Family Research Group
4498 NC Hwy 62, Thomasville, NC 27360
EZEKIEL MORTON
1832-1863
Ezekiel Morton, born in 1832, was a Stanly County farmer. North Carolina seceded from the Union and the war for independence began in 1861. Anticipating danger to his home and loved ones from invasion by armies of the North and responding to his conscription order, Ezekiel left his pregnant wife and their 3 children at home and went to join the Confederate army. He traveled to Camp French in Virginia and, in September 1862, was assigned to the 52nd North Carolina Regiment, Company I (the “Stanly Rebels”).
The regiment, commanded by Marshall, went to an area near Franklin, Virginia and participated in a skirmish. They pushed back the Union force and returned to Camp French and, in November, they went back to Franklin and fought again. The 52nd went to Fredericksburg in June. On June 14th, Pvt. Morton and his regiment began a march from Fredericksburg to Pennsylvania, arriving at Cashtown on June 29. Most of Gen. Pettigrew’s brigade left for Gettysburg on June 30. The 52nd followed the next morning.
On July 3rd, Pettigrew’s division received orders to join Gen. Pickett in the forthcoming attack. The battle began at 1:00 in the afternoon, and Pettigrew said to Col. Marshall, “Now Colonel, for the Honor of the Good Old North State, forward.” Under a clear sky and hot sun, the brave Sons of the South went forward across an open field into a storm of artillery fire and bullets. Union soldiers fired into Confederate ranks from behind a stone wall, and more Union troops surrounded them. More than 80% of the “Stanly Rebels” were casualties at Gettysburg. Pvt. Morton was mortally wounded.
Death claimed Ezekiel Morton 6 months after his daughter, Pharybelle, whom he never saw, was born to Talitha C. Efird Morton in December 1862. His son, H. M. Franklin Morton had died at age 6, just 21 days after the birth of “Belle”. Daughter Rose had died at age 3, about 3 months after Franklin’s death. Daughter Electa grew up and married Green David Eudy. “Belle” Morton, married Jonah Almond in 1886 and bore 7 children (Tarence, Lee, Ernest, Ezra, Bertha, Christena and Cecil). She died in 1944 at age 82.
A note from a Company I Muster Roll card states that Ezekiel Morton was “Left on battlefield at Gettysburg, Pa July 3, 1863.” Another note says, “I am satisfied that he was killed or died from wounds rec’d at Gettysburg while in enemy’s hands”, indicating that he died on the battlefield, or, possibly, in captivity after being wounded. It is likely that he was buried by Union soldiers or Gettysburg citizens in a shallow, unmarked grave on or near the battlefield. The identity of his body was sacrificed with his life.
Pvt. Morton’s name was placed on the Roll of Honor by the Adjutant General of North Carolina. A monument in his honor stands near the graves of family members at St. Martin’s Lutheran Church, but his remains rest at a place unknown.
Bibliography
“North Carolina and the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge at Gettysburg” by Michael W. Taylor [Gettysburg Magazine 8, Jan 1993]
“Col. James Keith Marshall: One of the Three Brigade Commanders Killed in the Pickett-Pettigrew-Trimble Charge” by Michael W. Taylor [Gettysburg Magazine 15, July 1996]
499 words Submitted by:
Submitter: Steve N. Almond
8414 US Hwy 15-501
Pittsboro, NC 27312
SNAlmond@aol.com
Men of the William “Billie” Burleson Family That Served North Carolina
William “Billie” Burleson was born in 1812 on the Little Bear Creek in the Western part of Montgomery County that is now known as Stanly County. Billie’s grandfather, Isaac, was given this land for his service in the fight for American Independence. Isaac received 100 acres for serving as an infantryman for North Carolina.
The leaders of Stanly County anticipated the War Between the States. They raised a company of infantry for State Service two weeks before North Carolina seceded. Billie’s two younger brothers, Lee and Nathan, would join the first day and both would die in the war.
Before the war concluded at Appomattox, every Burleson listed as “Head of Household” in the 1860 census from Stanly County and their sons of age served our Confederate States of America.
In February 1862, Billie’s third oldest son Isaac, age 20, volunteered in Company C 42nd Infantry. He would serve North Carolina and the Army of Northern Virginia.
In March of 1862 Billie’s second oldest son Ebin, age 22 volunteered for Company K of the 28th Infantry.
In August 1862 the oldest son Absalom, volunteered for the Artillery.
Billie himself was conscripted in April 1864 to Scales Brigade
The fourth oldest son, Howell, age 16, was conscripted in June 1864 into the 70th Regiment of Junior Reserves.
Billie’s two daughters were both married to husbands who served our South. William Hatley enlisted at age 22 years in March 1862 into Company C 42nd Infantry. Daniel Bowers was conscripted into Company F 5th North Carolina. This left only the youngest son William Jr., age 13, at home to protect and provide for the seven families whose heads of household were gone to war.
Photo of Daniel Bowers
296 words Submitted 2/28/2002 by:
John Hoyle Burleson
Burleson Family Research Group
20834 Hwy 73, Albemarle, NC 28001