A SCARCE AND INTERESTING WEST VIRGINIA CIVIL WAR ‘FOR LIBERTY’ TYPE MEDAL TO A SERGEANT IN THE 3RD WEST VIRGINIA CAVALRY WHO AFTER BEING TAKEN PRISONER AT WINCHESTER IN JUNE 1863 WAS PAROLED BUT WAS LATER REPORTED A DESERTER AND DIED IN CONFEDERATE HANDS AT CHARLESTON IN FEBRUARY 1864

WEST VIRGINIA CIVIL WAR MEDAL ‘FOR LIBERTY TYPE, ‘BASILL. BURTON. CO B 3RD REG CAV VOLS’

Basil Burton, aged 39, enlisted into company E, 3rd West Virginia Cavalry on 24 October 1862. Promoted Corporal on 1 November 1862 and Sergeant, March/April 1863, having transferred to company B at some point.

He was taken prisoner at Winchester, VA on 15 June 1863 and confined at Richmond, VA. However he was paroled at Annapolis a month later and appears to have remained at Camp Parole. A letter from his Commanding Officer on 14 October applying for furlough for Burton tells how his wife had died in August 1863, ‘leaving his family without protection and his property in an unsettled state..’

Burton was given furlough for 10 days on 29 October 1863 but reportedly failed to return after this. It is not clear what happened next for on 8 December Sergeant Burton was reported as a deserter and died in hospital on Charleston on 26 February 1864. Charleston of course was an important Confederate held city which did not fall until 1865. Burton’s records are a little confusing or lacking after he was reported a deserter but since he died in Charleston, its quite possible he was taken prisoner again when returning from furlough and records weren’t recorded; did he die of wounds or disease?? Clearly needs further research.

SEE PDF FOR FULL WRITE UP

Sold with copy musters (digital), which includes POW records etc.