Home Thomas Burgess
Confederate Veteran, July, 1908, page 347.
 
HOW GENERAL SEDGWICK WAS KILLED
by V.M. Fleming, Fredricksburg, Va.

Thinking you would like an interesting incident connected with the life of an old Confederate veteran who passed away April 5, 1908, in his 84th year, I give you the following:

THOMAS BURGESS, the subject of this little notice, was born in Spartanburg County, S.C. and died at Jonesville, S.C. some 15 miles below the town of Spartanburg. He belonged to Company H, 15th Regiment South Carolina Volunteers, Anderson's Division, Longstreet's Corp.

At the battle of Spottsylvania, May 9, 1864, Jenkins Brigade was thrown on the right of General Lee's line and left of Spottsylvania C.H. to watch the enemy approaching in heavy force. This body of Federal troops was commanded by General John Sedgwick....Jenkins Brigade was massed in a body of timber with open field in front. Beyond this open space and some 400 yards away in front was a heavy pine thicket in which Sedgwick's Corps was concealed.

A number of Confederate pickets were thrown out in front of their lines to determine the exact locality of the Federal force, with positive instructions not to fire, so as to conceal the where abouts of Jenkins command, but to watch the movement of the Federal forces. THOMAS BURGESS, of the 15th S.C. Regiment , was one of these pickets. While on duty and concealed in front of the Confederate line they discovered several Federal officers who rode out in front of their line reconnoitering and selecting positions for their artillery. The opportunity being inviting, BURGESS, contrary to orders, fired at one of the officers, who proved to be General Sedgwick. The shot was fatal, and Sedgwick was carried back into the Federal lines. I think he was killed instantly. BURGESS was the only picket who fired and the fact was settled that he killed Sedgwick; there can be no question about this.

BURGESS never recurred to the circumstances in after life; and when the matter was mentioned in his presence, he always changed the topic of conversation or retired. Somehow he was sensitive on the subject- a less sensitive nature would never have viewed the matter from his angle of observation. During his last night on earth, though, a week ago, his mind wandered back to the scenes of that campaign- the 'Bloody Angle', Spotsylvania, and the tragic death of Sedgwick.

I was at Jonesville, a few days after his death and was informed that he would wake up in his passing hours and relate the whole occurrence. This is a statement of facts an addition to history.
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Generously transcribed and submitted by Nancie O'Sullivan
 
 
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