B. F. Burke to his father - November 25, 1861

Dear Father:
It has been some time since I received your very kind letter. It found me very sick indeed, though it gave me the greatest of pleasure to hear from you all- it being the first line I have received from home since I left. I have been confined ever since I received your letter but can say now with the greatest of pleasure that I have quite recovered my health once more, that is I feel so at this time.

I had just started out (the day before I received your letter) on a scout. We all left Bowling Green Saturday morning for an enterprize among the enemy. Our force consisted of about 15 hundred Arkansa infantry, two companies of our Texas cavalry, and six or seven pieces of artillery. I tell you we made a beautiful show as I thought as I never marched in that large a body of soldiers before. The infantry had a pretty bad time of it splashing through the mud although they didn't seem to mind it at all. We marched through lanes and the infantry would take near cuts through the wheat & corn fields. The artillery was all in front while a portion of the infantry were close behind them and then the cavalry & ballance (sic) of the ? ? ? in the rear.

We marched on in that style for the first day and I was in fine spirits. We went about the distance of ten miles the first day & then we camped for the night it being a little after dark when we stoped (sic). We then had our sentinels stationed around our encampment, and as my name was at the head of the list, I had to stand on guard the first night (with a number of others). So about two o'clock at night they awoke me up to stand my last tower (sic), after which I found that I had a severe chill. I stood and shook until my time was nearly out, or rather until I saw I could not stand it any longer. So I was relieved and after the chill subsided the hot fever succeeded and by morning I was really sick. So much so that I knew I was not able to proceed with my company. So I had to mount my horse sick as I was and retrace my steps back to camp accompanied by another sick man. I made to camp by eleven o'clock by steady riding that day. I remained in camp until next day, the fever raging all the time. So next morning bright & early they started me off on the cars for Nashvill to the hospital, the distance being about 5 hours run but it took them all day to make it. So I arrived at the hospital some time after night that night. There was about 130 sick came down at the same time that I did. We were tolerably well attended to that night, there being plenty of lady nurses in the hospital.

I remained there two days and nights and then I was taken away by a very kind old gentlemen by the name of Greenfield who lives in the country about four miles distance from the city of Nashvill. I have now been under the kind care of him and his family about two weeks- will be two weeks tomorrow. And I say that I never was more kindly treated no where than I have since I have been here. They have six other Texans at their house. Also ever since I have been here and they are all about recovered and we think of going to camp in a few days. Mrs. Greenfield is one of the kindest and most motherly old ladies I ever got acquainted with. They have plenty of servant(s) to wait upon us and they live in a very fine house and have fine doings. I tell you the people of Nashvill and surrounding country are doing a great deal for the sick and afflicted soldiers.

I don't know of no news to write you (as) I have been confined so clos that I don't know what is going on. ….. It is thought here that him (Gen. Johnson) and Buckner are making some forward movement towards Columbus or Louisvill by the cars being stoped (sic) for several days between here and Bowling Green, though that is only supposition. There was a steamboat came into Nashvill yesterday thought (to) be suspicious craft and she was taken possesion of (by) the citizens of Nashvill. She is said to be from Cincinnati, Ohio. We don't know what her intentions were. They had a considerable battle a few days ago near Columbus, Kentucky in which we gained a considerable victory by killing and wounding about three or four hundred of them and taking several prisoners. Our loss was small.

I will not write you any more war news at present. I leave that to do when I got to camp as I am not posted now. Six of our company has died and probably more by this time. Two out of my mess has died- you do not know them. John Justice has been very sick- he is somewhere out here in the country- he is much better now. Jim Duff died in Nashvill something over a week ago. You must write soon. Much love to you all. Ever your son.

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.)