Benjamin F. Burke Letter - September 29, 1861

Dear Brother William:
I am not just on the eave of my departure from this place to the soil of the old dominion. I have been here nine days but the time has arrived at last for me to leave. I expected to enjoy myself much more than I have while here, but I have been so poorly ever since I have been here that I have not felt much like taking pleasure, though I have enjoyed myself as well as I possible could have done for one in my situation. I have improved greatly in my health in those few days that I have been here. I spoke in my letter to Mother of our march over the prarie . You may be assured it was a very disagreeable one. My company is in Virginia by this time, I guess. At least I have not heard anything of them since they left. None of the boys did stop with me here. As for Jack Murray, I have almost threw him away. I don't believe he will do to tie to in a pinch. John & Bob are both the same old thing, or if anything I find them better the longer I am with them. Four companies of our regiment has passed on by, one went on yesterday. I don't know what company it is, but I am going to New Orleans today to overtake it and will accompany it to Virginia.

I have seen all of the connections here but cousin Amanda Chick. They are all well except Cousin Walter, he has been pretty sick, but was better a day or two ago. I have got all of my equipment but a Buoy knife and I think I will have that before I get to Richmond. Oh, I forgot to tell you we had glorious news from Missouri yesterday. Gen. Price of Ben McCullock command had a three days siege battle with 5,000 of the Hessians of Lexington, Mo. and made a unconditional surrender of their whole army, killing about 60 and wounding about 1 hundred of them-our losses was roughly estimated at several hundred. Our troops also taken * * * * * of the best kind of arms and $250,000 of specie. This is the federel's own account of the battle. I give you this news as it is not likely you will here it before this reaches you. The people of Berwick's Bay and vicinity are getting a little alarmed about the blockade reaching that place. They are erecting more fortifications there are going to station 5 or 10 thousand troops there. Uncle has hands at work on the fort now. They have almost got the telegraph wire almost completed from New Orleans to Berwick's Bay, and they are going to extend it down to Shell Island.

I want you to write to me as soon as you receive this and direct to Richmond, Va. in care of Capt. Louis M. Stroble of the Lone Star Rangers. I have been looking for a letter from you ever since I have been here but have received none.

B. F. Burke

Heard, Jessie Burke, ed. Terry Ranger Writes Home: Letters of Pvt. Benjamin F. Burke Written While in Terry's Texas Rangers 1861-1864. No Place, No Publisher, 1965. (Available in the University of Houston Library.)