346 SKETCHES IN PROSE. 



room until other arrangements could be made. While lying 

 here a rebel bullet passed over him and went through the 

 partition four feet from the floor. This hole is closed up by 

 pasting a piece of rag over it, but shows clearly how near 

 Burns got his fourth, and, in all likelihood, his coup de grace. 

 It was fired from a house filled with rebel sharpshooters near 

 the town, and was doubtless a stray shot, although Burns, 

 who had some conceit, always thought the rebels had a spite 

 against him for his defense of the town. He brooded over 

 this so long that he at last settled it as a fact that one of his 

 neighbors, whom he thought bore him malice, had told his 

 enemies where he lay, that a sure shot might be made. In 

 spite of his wounds Burns was not long in getting about. He 

 traveled around the country as an attraction to different gath- 

 erings, where the attention shown greatly tickled his vanity, 

 for which he was hardly accountable, as second childhood was 

 coming over him. After his wife's death he sold his house and 

 went to live with one of his friends, but he often returned, 

 thankful if the new owner would keep him a day or two at a 

 time. His mind was finally set on coming back to his old 

 home to there end his days, for which privilege he off'ered the 

 landlord all his pension money. The offer was not accepted, 

 and he died away from his little home from which he made 

 his sortie on the enemies of his country. 



On the top of Cemetery Hill, in the graveyard adjoining the 

 National Cemetery, are two marble slabs. On the one is : 



JOHN L. BUENS, 



The Hero of Gettysburg, 



Died February 4th, 1872, 



Aged 78 years. 



