CHARLES HIRAM BURHANS – 44th and 96th INFANTRYDISHONORABLY DISMISSED - Charles Hiram Burhans had ancestors who served in the Revolution. His father, Colonel Benjamin Peck Burhans had served in the New York State Militia for many years. In September 1861, 20-year-old Charles, youngest child in the family, enlisted in the 44th Infantry, promising to serve for three years in Company E. He was given a 5-day furlough after he was mustered in and never returned to the regiment. On October 1st, he was declared a deserter.Three months later, in December 1861, Charles was enrolled as a captain in the 96th Infantry in Plattsburgh. He was mustered into Company I on February 28, 1861, and, by May 30, 1862, while on the Peninsula Campaign, he was promoted major upon the death of Major John Kelly who was killed in action at Fair Oaks, on May 29th.The 96th stayed in Virginia until December when it was ordered to take part in the Expedition from New Bern to Goldsboro in North Carolina. Before they were out of winter quarters, Charles was dishonorably dismissed by order of a General Court Martial at Plymouth, NC, on May 14, 1863, for drunkenness on duty.Charles came home to Warren County and the funeral of his mother, Rebecca Wickes Burhans, who died on May 18, 1863.The information he gave to the Warrensburg Town Clerk in 1865, shows he said he was honorably discharged in 1863. The 1890 Veterans Schedules show he was in the 96th Infantry for 1 year and 7 months. Charles died seven years later, and was buried in the Warrensburg Cemetery in Warrensburg, NY, with his parents and other members of his family. His wife, Jeannette Davis, who was known as Jane, was buried there in 1922, but received no Widow’s Pension.
