Burnett, Ward B. (Ward Benjamin), 1811-1884

Ward B. Burnett, a Pennsylvania native, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1832. He resigned from the army in 1836 and became a civil engineer. When the U.S. war with Mexico began, Burnett enlisted as colonel of the First New York Volunteers, and was engaged with his regiment in the seige of Vera Cruz, the battle of Cerro Gordo, the battle of Contreras, and the battle of Churubusco, where he was severely wounded. His regiment was disbanded August 1, 1848. Following the Mexican War, Burnett held positions as superintendent of the dry docks in the Philadelphia and Brooklyn navy yards, chief engineer of water works in Brooklyn and Norfolk, Virginia. From 1858 to 1860, Burnett served as the U.S. surveyor general for the Kansas and Nebraska Territories. Burnett died in Washington, D.C., on June 24, 1884, and was buried at West Point.

From the guide to the Ward B. Burnett Papers Unprocessed mss. 2009-41., 1806-1884, 1846-1848, (Special Collections, The University of Texas at Arlington Library)

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