George Washington Burnett as older man
Centenarians / Civil War / Virginia

One of the oldest Confederate veterans

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CEDAR BLUFF “REBEL” SOLDIER HALE AND HEARTY AND NEARING 100.

Today, in our town, one of our grand old veterans of the ’61 gang passed the 96th milestone of his journey through this ever-changing world. “Uncle George” —as he is familiarly known— Burnett, one of the few remaining veterans of the Civil War, is still hale and hearty at this ripe old age, and says “temperance in all things, faith, hard work, lots of patience, and the goodness of the Almighty Father” are some of the main reasons he has attained this age.

He is, possibly, one of the oldest veterans left in our county, and is still active taking long daily walks. His vision is not quite as keen as the day near Petersburg he spied the “Yank” nestled close up against a log as the boys in grey had ’em on the run. He walked over to this “Yank,” who was trembling with fear, and poked him in the ribs with his old trusty rifle and said, “Come out of there, Yank, and get behind these columns of grey, and we’ll not kill you for sometime yet.”

He is still able to read the Clinch Valley News and looks forward to this paper. He is known all over the western end of the county, and his honesty, straight forwardness, and sincere dealing with all of his fellow men is a known trait. He owes no man and says when the Master of all things calls him to a better world, he is ready to go. His home is located near the top of Claypool Hill, and his towering figure, now slightly stooped, is often seen along the road, taking his daily walks.

As we see that sparkle in his eyes, we wonder if he isn’t happy basking in this sunset time of life, with memories of a well-spent life, and hope of a glorious future in that “purple valley” beyond. His many friends wish for him many more happy birthdays; tho’ there may not be “many” these friends want to see Uncle George reach that one hundred mark. ‘Tis fine to live by a fine old neighbor like you, Uncle George, and we want you to stick around for several more years.

Clinch Valley News
Tazewell County, Virginia
May 19, 1936

George Washington Burnett (1840-1940) was living in Patrick County, VA at age 10. Private Burnett enlisted in the 45th Virginia Infantry, Company H (known as the “Tazewell Rangers”) on May 29, 1861 at Wytheville. He was listed as AWOL on May 1, 1862. He next joined the 29th Virginia Infantry on June 22, 1862.

SOURCES: https://www.gwest.org/45thros.htm
http://www.militaryhistoryonline.com/genealogy/ancestorcomments.aspx?id=38317
https://www.gwest.org/45thva.htm

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He deserted the Confederate AND the Union armies(Opens in a new browser tab)

Champ Ferguson’s Appalachian Civil War(Opens in a new browser tab)

I played with the little Indians here. They were my only playmates for years.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The SC house the old Confederate veterans called home(Opens in a new browser tab)

4 comments

  1. I like to here old stores about Appalachian history this is great to here I wish that there was more stores about Appalachian live in the coal fillds

  2. I know no one will believe me, but this man George Burnett is my Great or Great-Great Grandfather. The family still talked about him when we get together.

  3. I was so very happy to come across this post. This post is about my great great grandfather. I have his picture hanging up on my wall. I also have a copy of the news paper that came back to talk to him fours years later on his 100th birthday. I never got to see him, but he is talked about when we have family get together. He is buried just about three miles from where he lived most of his life on Claypool Hill.

  4. G Washington Burnett was my Father’s Grandfather. He lived in my Father’s family home at Claypool Hill, VA until he passed. Told my Dad (dob 9/17/1921) lots of stories. The Tazewell VA local newspaper printed his photo from the 1940’s along with other Civil War soldiers and a Col.. An archive photo. I have the .22 Winchester that he used on the farm. My Dad said GW was an excellent shot with that rifle.

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