Seth S. Buxton was a resident of Salem, Massachusetts, and was a painter by occupation when the Civil War began. He raised Company D, Fourteenth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry, and was commissioned and mustered as its Captain on July 5, 1861. The regiment was ordered to the defenses around Washington and on January 2, 1862, it was changed to heavy artillery, although it was not redesignated as such until September 19, 1863 (First Regiment Massachusetts Volunteer Heavy Artillery), eight months after Buxton's death. In the meantime, on June 10, 1862, he was promoted Major of the regiment, but his health declined. In October 1862 he took an absence of leave, to recuperate at Salem, and had the opportunity to get married. After he returned to duty, his health declined further, and he died at Fort Albany, Virginia, in the outskirts of Washington. There was a funeral in Washington on January 16, 1863, and his remains were then transported to Salem. On January 20, there was a private wake at his late residence, followed by a public wake at City Hall, "where hundreds had an opportunity to take a last look at the familiar features. The body was arrayed in full uniform, and the countenance looked quite natural." Next, a procession marched to Rust-street Church, for his local funeral, with a military escort of two companies, a band, members of the city government, the clergy, and others. After the funeral, the procession marched to Harmony Grove Cemetery, "where the remains were deposited in the receiving tomb." On the way, "the flags were at half mast, the bells of the city were tolled, and minute guns were fired by the Salem Artillery. The military were also prepared... to fire the usual volleys over the grave; but... the officers of the Corporation forbade the firing within the grounds, as contrary to the by-laws, and this part of the ceremony was dispensed with."

Sources: Mass. Soldiers..., 5: 584; The Salem [Mass.] Register, Jan. 19 & 22, 1863; The Salem [Mass.] Gazette, Jan. 20 & 23, 1863.