Name Edward Burleson | ||
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Similar People Benjamin Milam, Martin Perfecto de Cos, Thomas Jefferson Rusk, Sidney Sherman, James Fannin | ||
Texas State Cemetery
Edward Burleson (December 15, 1798 – December 26, 1851) was the third Vice President of the Republic of Texas. After Texas was annexed to the United States, he served in the State Senate. Prior to his government service in Texas, he was a commander of Texan forces during the Texas Revolution. Before moving to Texas, he served in militias in Alabama, Missouri, and Tennessee, and fought in the War of 1812. Burleson was the soldier that was given Santa Anna's sword when he surrendered.
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Early life
Known as the "Old Indian Fighter", Burleson was a veteran of the War of 1812 and had served in the Missouri and Texas militias. In October 1835 he was appointed a lieutenant colonel in the Texas army and served under Stephen F. Austin in the opening stages of the Texas Revolution. During the Siege of Béxar, Burleson served as the second-in-command to Gen. Austin, and in November, 1835 he was elected Major General of Texas Volunteers and took command of the volunteer army besieging San Antonio de Béxar and received the surrender of Mexican general Martín Perfecto de Cos. In March, he was appointed a Colonel of Texas Regulars and led the First Volunteer Infantry Regiment during the Runaway Scrape and at the Battle of San Jacinto.
With the capture of Antonio López de Santa Anna at San Jacinto, the Mexican general rode double into Sam Houston's camp on the horse of Joel Walter Robison, a soldier in most of the revolutionary battles and later a member of the Texas House of Representatives from Fayette County.
Burleson continued to serve in the Republic of Texas army after the war and was eventually promoted brigadier general of Texas Regulars.
Political service
He served as Vice-President of the Republic of Texas in President Sam Houston's second term from 1841 to 1844. He was a Presidential candidate in the Texas Presidential election of 1844, but he was defeated by Anson Jones.
Although he served under Sam Houston, the two despised each other.
Burleson was also involved in the Mexican-American War (1846–48), after Texas was annexed by the U.S.
The location of his grave is in what later became the Texas State Cemetery, in Austin.
Private life
Edward was the son of James B. Burleson, a company captain in the volunteer American army in the War of 1812 and later a participant in the Texas Revolution, as a Captain under his son's command. Edward learned of life in the field as an aide to his father, who could neither read nor write. Aaron Burleson, his grandfather, had fought as a minuteman in the Revolutionary War.
Edward married Sarah Griffen Owen on 25 April 1816, in Madison County, Alabama.
Memorials
Burleson County, Texas, was named after him.