"...William O. Stoddard, an aide to Lincoln who was in New York during the Draft Riots, reported joining a hastily formed militia regiment commanded by Burnett: “When we reached the corner of the Sub-Treasury, there on the steps was General Ward B. Burnett, organizing a company of volunteers that promised to be a good one. I knew that he had commanded the First New York Volunteers in the Mexican War and was accounted a brave, capable officer. That was the man to serve under, and we at once fell into line, recalling our soldier experience in the Rifles. The General swore us in, gave us instructions, looked very cool, and determined but a little bloodthirsty, and we were posted. That is, we were put temporarily in charge of the Treasury, under the impression that there was to be an immediate attack on it. Later we were transferred to the portico of the Custom House, where we kept company with a wide-mouthed mountain howitzer.”Ironically, Lincoln penned his letter to Burnett the same week he issued the first draft law in the history of the United States..."

"OBITUARY GEN. WARD B. BURNETT
Gen. Ward B. Burnett, of this city, died in Washington yesterday morning after a linger- ing illness of several years. Gen. Burnett was born in Pennsylvania, and in early life was sent to the Military Academy at West Point, where he was graduated in 1832. During the succeeding four years he served in the Black Hawk expedi- tion, in making drawings at West Point, in garrison at Fort Jackson, Louisiana, as Assistant Instructor of Infantry Tactics at West Point, on topographical duty, and on ordnance duty in Florida. Evidently wearied with this routine, he resigned from the army in 1836 and became a civil engineer. When the war with Mexico began he enlisted as Colonel of the Second New-York Volunteers, and was sent to the seat of war, where his career was of more than ordinary brilliance. He was engaged with his regiment in the seige of Vera Cruz, in the battle of Cerro Gordo, in the battle of Contreras, and in the battle of Churubusco, where he was severely wounded. His regiment was disband- ed Aug. 1, 1848, and he afterward re- ceived the thanks of the New-York Legis- lature, and subsequently was made Brevet Brig- adier-General of New-York Volunteers for gal- lant and distinguished service in the war with Mexico. Other testimonials showered upon him were a silver medal from the corporation of New-York City, a gold medal from his old regi- ment, and a vote of the surviving members of the regiment in 1859, by which he received the gold snuff-box in which the freedom of the city of New-York had been presented in 1819 to Major-Gen. Andrew Jackson for distinguished military services, and by hime bequeathed "to that patriot of New-York City who should be adjudged by his countrymen to have been the most distinguished in defense of his country and our country's rights." Soon after his return from Mexico, Gen. Bur- nett became superintendent of the dry dock in the Philadelphia Navy-yard, and in 1852, he took a similar position in the Brooklyn Navy-yard. In 1853-4 he was chief-engineer of the Brooklyn Water-works, and in the year following he made new plans for the works. Previously he had made plans and estimates for the Croton Water-works in New-York. In 1856 he went South, and took charge of the Water-works at Norfolk, Va. From 1858 to 1860 he was United States Surveyor-General of Kansas and Nebraska Territories. The remainder of Gen. Burnett's life was passed quietly, much of his time being spent at Washington. Upon his retirement to private life his health began to fail, and of late years he was little better than a confirmed invalid. His death was not unexpected. Funeral services will be held in the Church of the Epiphany at Washington. The interment will be at West Point.