Publish Date 
Written by Information provided by Major Burroughs' great-grandson, Dennis Swann, April 1998.
Harmon P. Burroughs was born in 1846 to Peleg and Elvira Whitaker Burroughs in Penfield New York. He was educated in the common schools.
Harmon joined the 8th New York Cavalry as a Private in Company A in 1860 at age 15, and was was promoted through the ranks to a Major. His regiment served in the Army of the Potomic and later he belonged to Custer's Cavalry under General Sheridan.
H. P. Burroughs commanded the 8th in the move Sheridan made that destroyed General Early's Army in the valley after Waynesboro on the way to join Grant before Petersburg Virginia. Major Burroughs was present at Appomattox and saw part of the proceedings between Grant and Lee. He received two severe wounds during his service (a sabre wound to the head and a bullet in his chest).
After the war Burroughs settled in Virginia. In 1868 he moved to Elkville Illinois and bought a farm. In 1895 he was elected to the Illinois Legislature and was the author of the “BURROUGHS BILL” compelling the Illinois Central Railroad to sell land held by charter grants. He also held various local county offices.
Burroughs married Alice Maude Summers, January 2, 1868, Fairfax county Virginia. He and Alice had seven children.
Major Burroughs was killed by a horse that kicked him in the head on January 31, 1907. He is buried in Arlington, with his wife, grave 2144 section 3.
BURROUGHS, HARMON P
- MAJOR 8 NY CAV
- DATE OF DEATH: 01/31/1907
- BURIED AT: SECTION S.DIV SITE 2144
- ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
BURROUGHS, ALICE MAUDE W/O HARMON P
- DATE OF DEATH: 04/01/1920
- BURIED AT: SECTION SE SITE 2144
- ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY
My wife is the great-granddaughter of Major Harmon P. Burroughs (Linda Deniece Burroughs McClanahan) and this photo of her great-grandfather hangs on our living room wall. I do not know if you post photos of those men honored on your website, but, if you do, here it is.
Michael Robert Patterson was born in Arlington and is the son of a former officer of the US Army. So it was no wonder that sooner or later his interests drew him to American history and especially to American military history. Many of his articles can be found on renowned portals like the New York Times, Washingtonpost or Wikipedia.
Reviewed by: Michael Howard