The following letter was written by Francis (“Frank”) H. Burnside of Co. E, 95th Illinois Infantry. The 95th was organized at Rockford, Illinois, and mustered into the service in September 1862. Not long after they were drilled and equipped, they were ordered to participate in Grant’s Central Mississippi Campaign. The skirmish that Francis speaks of in his letter was probably the one that took place at Old River, Lake Providence, on 10 February 1863 though we learn that Frank wasn’t with his regiment but recovering from an illness at a hospital in Memphis.

Frank was born in Franklinville, McHenry county, Illinois, the son of Thomas Burnside (1816-1872) and Adelia Green (1814-1877). He was discharged for a medical disability on 26 March 1863 and his headstone indicates that he died on 16 February 1864 ant the age of 19 years and 3 months. In this letter, Frank spelled his surname “Bernside.”

Transcription

Memphis, Tennessee
February 16, 1863

Dear Parents,

I have got some to write this time. Lieutenant [Asa] Farnum came up to Memphis last night with a detail of men from the 95th with 29 prisoners from Vicksburg and says that our boys went out a foraging and run right slap upon 500 rebels in their entrenchments and a skirmish commenced between the two parties—a pretty sharp one too. Thomas Cahill was wounded in the leg below the knee. He said that he did not know it until the fight was over. The wound is not serious. They licked them out in 30 minutes and took 29 prisoners. Our boys fought like tigers.

Turner Corkins [Caulkins] is dead. His father come down and took his remains home. John [E.] Best is very sick. His father is here with him. James Dele[matre] is also sick and in the hospital. Andrew Fern has got to be corporal.

February the 17th. I feel a little better today. Tomorrow I think that I shall start to go to the regiment. My Lieutenant says that the regiment is a going to be paid off and if that is the case, I want a chance and if you have not sent that money yet, you need [not] send it until you hear from me again. The regiment is 75 miles this side of Vicksburg.

You need not feel any uneasy about me. Lieut. Farnum says that he will see that I have good care until I get well. I have not much more to write so goodbye. From your affectionate son, — F. H. Bernside

Direct to the regiment.

Dear Sister, as it is getting quite late and as I start tomorrow down the river at 8 o’clock. You must excuse me this time as I have got to pack up tonight. I hope that you enjoy yourself at school. M, what shall I do if the girls gets a crying after me? I guess that I shall have to stop a getting sick, won’t I? I must stop. Keep this dark. — F. H. Bernside