| James M. Burns | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 9, 1845 Wells Township, Ohio |
| Died | October 30, 1910 (aged 65) Ohio |
| Place of burial | Lebanon Cemetery, Lebanon, Ohio |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army Union Army |
| Rank | Sergeant |
| Unit | 1st West Virginia Infantry |
| Battles/wars | American Civil War • Battle of New Market |
| Awards | Medal of Honor |
James Madison Burns (August 9, 1845 – October 30, 1910) was a Union Army soldier and officer during the American Civil War. He received the Medal of Honor for gallantry during the Battle of New Market Virginia on May 15, 1864. Following the battle, Burns was promoted from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant and advanced rapidly through the officer ranks. By the end of the war he was a Lieutenant Colonel.
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“The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pleasure in presenting the Medal of Honor to Sergeant James Madison Burns, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism on 15 May 1864, while serving with Company B, 1st West Virginia Infantry, in action at New Market, Virginia. Under a heavy fire of musketry, Sergeant Burns rallied a few men to the support of the colors, in danger of capture and bore them to a place of safety. One of his comrades having been severely wounded in the effort, Sergeant Burns went back a hundred yards in the face of the enemy's fire and carried the wounded man from the field.”