B. F. Burgess Civil War Veteran Dies (my 6th cousin three times removed)

Member of Famous 107th Volunteers Succumbs at Home of Son.

B.F. Burgess, G.A.R. veteran and the only Civil War veteran making his home in Olean who was a member of the 107th New York Volunteers, passed away Sunday morning at the six-fifteen o'clock at the home of his sone, Clarence A, Burgess, 216 West State Street.

Mr. Burgess was born January 9, 1844 in Trumansburg, N. Y. near Ithaca.  He enlisted with the New York Volunteers, Company D, 107th Regiment in Elmira, July, 1862.

The company left Elmira for Washington and took part in the following important battles and skirmishes:  Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Resea, Cassville, Dallas, Pine Knob, Kulpa Farm, Kennesaw, Peach Tree Creek, Siege of Atlanta, Ga., March to the Sea, Siege of Savannah, Rockingham, Averyboro and Bentonville.

While in action in the battle of New Hope Church, Mr. Burgess was wounded.  He was shot through the hand and the gun he held prevented the bullet from passing through his body.

Mr. Burgess, as a member of the regiment, walked 2,600 miles and was mustered out June 18, 1865,.  The 107th Volunteers were men who answered President Lincoln's call in '62 and the had the proud distinction of being the first of many regiments recruited under that call, fully organized and ready to take the field,  For this honor they received a silk banner from the State of New York.

The veteran was take prisoner October 22, 1862 and was held by the Confederates until march 1865, when he was released.

Mr. Burgess for many years was identified in the hotel and restaurant business in the section and came to Olean nineteen years ago from Titusville, Pa.  He was also interested in the oil producing business in Western New York and Northern Pennsylvania.

Surviving are one daughter Miss P.L. Siffrinn, this city; four sons Fred F. Burgess, Clarence A. Burgess, Oil City, Pa,  Dr. E. O. Burgess, Gerard, Pa, two brothers, Fred S. Burgess, Charles Burgess, Elmira; two sisters, Miss Harriett Burgess and Miss Rebecca Burgess, Elmira.  

Mr. Burgess was a member of B. D. Bayard Post G.A.R. this city and St. Mary of the Angels Church.