WEBSTER DANIEL BURNS -- 96th INFATNRYPROMOTED CORPORAL IN THE FIELD - Less than a month after 18-year-oldWebster Daniel Burns enlisted in the 96th Infantry in Chazy, hismother, Mary Hibbard Burns died. Fortunately, the regiment didn't leavefor Washington until March 1862, so he more than likely attended herfuneral. She was buried in the Riverview Cemetery in Chazy.The 96th, known as the Plattsburg Regiment, was recruited mainly atPlattsburg and vicinity, and there mustered into the U. S. service onFeb. 20 and March 7, 1862, for three years. They left for Washington onMarch 11, were assigned to the 1st Brigade, 3rd Division, IV Corps, andembarked for the Peninsula to lay siege at Yorktown for a month. FromApril 17th to May 4th, they were outside Yorktown then moved on toWilliamsburg to fight. The Battles at Bottom\'s bridge and SavageStation followed, and at Fair Oaks the 96th lost heavily.Fair Oaks was Webster's last battle. He became ill and was sent tohospital. He died on David's Island in New York Harbor on July 18, 1862-- the dates vary. His body was laid to rest on the mainland in theBeechwoods Cemetery in New Rochelle, NY, a few miles to the north undera military headstone. There is also a memorial stone for him in theRiverview Cemetery in Chazy near his mother's. Webster died just 7months and 29 days after his mother. His father, Matthew, and is secondwife Keziah Wilson, were buried there when they died.
