Seymour L Burroughs (1838 - 1894)

Born 24 Apr 1838 in Cleveland, Cuyahoga, Ohio

Ancestors

Husband of Cassie Belle (O'Donnel) Burroughs — married 28 Jan 1864 in Baltimore, Maryland

Descendants

Died 12 Dec 1894 at age 56 in Felton, York, Pennsylvania

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Biography

From Shepherd Family book. Please see below.

Seymour L. Burroughs was born April 24, 1838 at Cleveland, Ohio. He attended school in that city. In 1854, when sixteen years of age, he left Cleveland and went to Lafayette, Ind., where he made his home. On the breaking out of the Civil War in 1861, he enlisted as a private in a company of cavalry then organizing in Lafayette. On reaching the front this company with other companies from Indiana, Ohio, and New York, was merged in the 2nd Regiment of New York, afterward known as the "Harris Light Cavalry", famous for its fighting qualities. Mr. Burroughs rose rapidly from the ranks to the command of his company for gallant and meritorious conduct on the field of battle. He served with distinction under Generals Kilpatrick, Custer and Sheridan, and was one of the few surviving officers of Dahlgreen's ill-fated ride around Richmond.

He participated in all the famous cavalry battles of the Army of the Potomac from Bull's Run to the Wilderness. He was seriously wounded on the evening of the last day of the "Seven Days" fighting. Capt. Burroughs never fully recovered from his wounds but was an invalid for many years.

He was discharged from the army at Albany, N.Y., with the rank of brevet colonel.

The following lines are taken from a letter written to Logan Post, No.3, G.A.R., Lafayette, Ind., by a comrade of Capt. Burroughs on receiving news of his death:

"I sincerely deplore the loss we have all sustained. I was a member of his company in the 2nd New York Cavalry (Harris' Light Cavalry), and became intimately acquainted with him, learning to love him as my superior officer, and as a friend and brother during those times when the best and worst sides of a man's character were brought out. He was a splendid soldier, a strict disciplinarian, but just and kind; tireless in looking after the interests of his company. His confidence once gained it took long abuse to destroy it. Whatever his foibles may have been, let us not withhold the commendations his virtues claim at our hands. I was with him in the unlucky 'Dahlgreen Raid' around Richmond, as well as in many other severe cavalry fights, in which our noble old regiment was engaged, and I can truly say that where Capt. Burroughs was unwilling to go none cared to follow another leader."

“I had the pleasure of meeting him at our regimental reunion last September (1894), at Peekskill, N. Y., and saw with regret his extreme weakness and failing health. With pleasure I acted as his attendant that day and can truly say it was one of the sweetest things in my life to again clasp his hand." Yours in F. L. and C., Joseph E. Firth.

After this reunion he visited his daughter, Mrs. H. J. Putt, in Jersey City, and his son, H. S. Burroughs, at Felton, Pa. While at Felton came the last "Roll Call", and peacefully this brave soldier answered "Here".

He was married in Baltimore, Md., Jan. 28, 1864, to Miss Cassie Belle O'Donnel, who was born Sept. 14, 1844, in Elmira, N.Y. They resided in Dunkirk, New York, from 1864 to 1870. They then returned to Lafayette, Ind., where they resided until his death, Dec. 12, 1894.

He had no regular occupation, owing to being incapacitated for labor by the serious wound received in battle.

As a young man he attended the Christian Church, but later in life the Episcopal Church.

He never held any political office. He was a member of the Masonic and I.O.O.F. fraternities.

Sources

History and Genealogy of the John Shepherd Family compiled by R.N. Hodgman, Cleveland Ohio 1913. The Book is in the possession of Bonnie Nilsen who has constructed a website about it at [1]

American Civil War Soldiers Record Name: Seymour L Burroughs Enlistment Date: 03 August 1861 Distinguished Service: DISTINGUISHED SERVICE Side Served: Union State Served: New York Unit Numbers: 1314 Service Record: Promoted to Full Sergeant 1st Class Enlisted as a Sergeant on 03 August 1861 at the age of 23 Promoted to Full Lieutenant 2nd Class on 07 May 1862 Enlisted in Company I, 2nd Cavalry Regiment New York on 03 September 1862. Promoted to Full Lieutenant 1st Class on 14 October 1862 (As of Co. M) Promoted to Full Captain on 01 March 1864 (As of Co. A) Wounded on 02 June 1864

Burial

Died in Felton, Pennsylvania, age 56. Born in Cleveland, Ohio. Left widow and children. Lot owner, Seymour L. Burroughs. Burial: Spring Vale Cemetery, Lafayette, Tippecanoe County, Indiana, Plot: sec 27 lot 27 page 134 (http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=burroughs&GSfn=Seymour&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=7731109&df=all&)