James Burke (b. 1843), the son of Thomas Burke (1799-1879) and Mary Burke (1806-1877) of Irondequoit, Monroe county, New York. James Burke was 21 years old when he enlisted as a private on 12 August 1863 at Rochester, New York. On 10 October 1863, he mustered into Co. C, 1st New York Veteran Cavalry. He was mustered out on 20 July 1865 at Camp Piatt, West Virginia, after receiving promotions to corporal 7/1/1864 and sergeant 9/1/1864.

James served in the same company with his brother, George S. Burke (b. 1839), who served earlier in the war with Reynolds’ Battery, or Co. L, 1st N. Y. Light Artillery. George was a sergeant and rose to the rank of 1st Sergeant by the time he mustered out in July 1865 with his brother.

T R A N S C R I P T I O N

Camp near Martinsburg, Western Va.
April 20, 1864

Dear Parents, Brother and Sisters,

I thought that I would try and write you a few lines for to let you know how we are getting along. We are both in the best of health and hope that you are all enjoying the same. We have been pretty busy of late. We have been out on a scout. We went as far as Clarksburg, they call it, 202 miles from here. We had a first rate time of it. Nothing to do, only just take care of our horses. We stayed in Clarksburg five days. We thought that we were going to Tennessee but we got orders to come back here again.

We moved camp about a mile nearer to headquarters last Tuesday so we are settled down again ready for another scout. Our houses are pretty well erected now. I have a little bay pony about as large as Bill and I believe that he can outrun anything in Co. C. I wish that Bernard had him at home. I don’t think that it would be very easy to get him.

We are encamped on a side hill. It is a very pleasant place, but it may be some time before make another move and we may get orders to pack up in an hour. The night that we left Camp Sullivan, Trimble and me was sound asleep when Sergt. Sales [?] came to our house and called up up, and in about a half an hour we was on the road. But we have got our dog houses now so it don’t take us long to move camp now.

How are ye getting along with the spring work? I suppose that Bernard is foreman now. What kind of a boss does he make? How does the team look? Is Bill lame yet? How does the [new] horse get along? What do you think of him? Bernard, do you think he will get much the start of Bill?

I am glad that you like the new place. Are ye going to plant murfeys [?] and corn this spring? Trimble says that it is pretty heavy land so I don’t think that I would plant murfeys. Try and make it as easy as ye can for yourselves. I, Trimble, and George is down town on a pass. All got paid too. I sent 30 dollars with George for ye. I want Mother for to buy herself, and Sis also, a new dress/ I don’t want Father to stint himself for money as long as it lasts.

How does Winnie get along and how are the folks beyond at the lake? I must close. We have orders for to draw two days grub. My best respects to Winnie. From your son and brother, — James Burke

They say that we are going on five days scout.

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