John Robertson Bedford Burtwell (1835 - 1873)

Born 15 Aug 1835 in Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama

Husband of Matilda Dickson (Wade) Burtwell — married 10 Jan 1863 in Tennessee, United States

Died 31 Oct 1873 at age 38 in Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama

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Biography

John Robertson Bedford Burtwell graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1860. Colonel of 11th Alabama Cavalry Regiment in the American Civil War.^[1]

John was Presbyterian. Son of Colonel John Trimble Burtwell and Cornelia Matilda Bedford. Married Matilda Dixon Wade on January 10, 1863 at Tullahoma, Tennessee.^[2]

Military Service

• United States Army

In 1854, John R B Burtwell entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. ^[3] On May 2, 1854, Burtwell accepted the appointment as Cadet. ^[4] Cadet Burtwell graduated and on July 1, 1860,was brevetted 2nd Lieutenant in the 1stUnited States Cavalry. On October 30, 1860, Burtwell was promoted to 1st Lieutenant. On March 21, 1861, Burtwell resigned his commission in the United States Cavalry. ^[5]

• Civil War

Private John Burtwell served in the United States Civil War.
Side: CSA
Regiment(s): 10th Alabama (Burtwell's) Cavalry Regiment; 11th Regiment, Alabama Cavalry

John R. B. Burtwell enlisted as a lieutenant in Company A, 5th Regiment, Mississippi Infantry, ^[6] Burtwell served on several staff positions as he raised from 1st Lieutenant to Major. ^[7] On March 16, 1861, Burtwell was appointed to Burtwell's Battery, Corps Artillery. On August 22, 1862, Burtwell was promoted to Captain, on Staff of Chief of Artillery. On March 16, 1863, Major Burtwell was transferred to 21st Battalion, Tennessee Cavalry. On June 2, 1863, he was Major in Artillery reporting to General Withers. On January 14, 1865, Burtwell was promoted to Colonel in command of the 11th Regiment, Alabama Cavalry.^[8]

Colonel Burtwell commanded the 11th Regiment, Alabama Cavalry. The 11th Regiment (also known as Burtwell's 10th Alabama Cavalry) was organized on January 14, 1865. The 11th Regiment was with General Forrest in the attack on Helena and Sulphur Trestle. In the fighting at Pulaski incurred severe casualties. The 11th Regiment rendered effective service to General Hood. The 11th Regiment was part of General Roddy's troops at Montevallo. Colonel Burtwell and the 11th Regiment surrendered at Decatur in May 1865. ^[9]

Ante-bellum life

Planter and Civil Engineer in Alabama postwar.^[10]

John Robertson Bedford Burtwell died on October 31, 1873. His final resting place is at Burtwell Cemetery, Florence, Lauderdale County, Alabama.^[11]

Sources

1. ↑ Burtwell, John R B, Alabama Department of Archives and History, accessed February 25, 2022.
2. ↑ Burtwell, John Robertson Bedford, Dictionary of Alabama Biography, Thomas and Marie Owen, 1921, page 269.
3. ↑ Fold3, US Military Academy Cadet Application Papers, Volume: Number 27; 1854-1855, Title: Page 49. https://www.fold3.com/image/505252229?rec=612305632
4. ↑ Fold3, US Military Academy Cadet Application Papers,Volume: 1853; File #001-88, Title: Page 249. https://www.fold3.com/image/505217728
5. ↑ Fold3, Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, from it's Organization, September 29, 1789, to March 2, 1903 by Francis B Heitman, Volume 1, Page 120. https://www.fold3.com/image/306347979?rec=283065738
6. ↑ National Park Service, Civil War Soldiers and Sailors System, Soldier Details for Burtwell, J. R. B. https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=E003A989-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A
7. ↑ https://www.nps.gov/civilwar/search-soldiers-detail.htm?soldierId=E103A989-DC7A-DF11-BF36-B8AC6F5D926A
8. ↑ Fold3, Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers Who Served in Organizations from the State of Alabama, CMSR for Burtwell, John R.B B. (109 pages). https://www.fold3.com/image/6694191?terms=war,civil,burtwell,john,confederate
9. ↑ Alabama Cavalry Units, ehistory, The Ohio State University. https://ehistory.osu.edu/exhibitions/Regimental/kjones/Alcav
10. ↑ Confederate Colonels: A Biographical Register, Bruce Allardice, University of Missouri Press, 2008, page 84.
11. ↑ John Robertson Bedford Burtwell, Find A Grave: Memorial #84186112, accessed February 25, 2022.