Processed by
Kathryn M. Wilmot
June 2007
Manuscript and Visual Collections Department
William Henry Smith Memorial Library
Indiana Historical Society
450 West Ohio Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-3269
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VOLUME OF |
1 manuscript box |
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COLLECTION |
1862–1865 |
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PROVENANCE: |
Robert E. Currie, Noblesville, IN, May 2006 |
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RESTRICTIONS: |
None |
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COPYRIGHT: |
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REPRODUCTION |
Permission to reproduce or publish material in this collection must be obtained from the Indiana Historical Society. |
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ALTERNATE |
Edited portions of this journal appear in the Indiana Magazine of History. |
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RELATED |
None |
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ACCESSION |
2006.0248 |
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NOTES: |
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Curtis Rensellear Burke was born on 24 January 1842 in Massillon, Stark County, Ohio. His parents were Edward D. Burke and Anna Barbara Rice. The Burkes also lived in Mt. Vernon and Zanesville, Ohio, before moving to Kentucky ca. 1851. They lived in Frankfort, Maysville, and Lexington, Kentucky where Curtis Burke worked in his father’s marble business.
Burke joined Captain John Hunt Morgan’s company of Lexington Rifles, Kentucky State Guard, around 1860. On 15 September 1862, Burke mustered into “B” Company, 14th Regiment, Kentucky Cavalry (C.S.A.) as a private. His father Edward joined Murphy’s Kentucky Calvary as a 1st Sergeant.
Burke served under John Hunt Morgan and participated in Morgan’s Raid into Indiana and Ohio in July 1863. He was captured at Buffington Island, Ohio, and remained a prisoner of war at Camp Morton, Indianapolis, Indiana, and Camp Douglas, Chicago, Illinois until March 1865. He returned home to Lexington in June 1865. Burke died on 5 November 1919.
Sources:
Information in the collection.
“Burke’s Civil War Journal,” Indiana Magazine of History.
LDS Family Search database. Available at: http://www.familysearch.org
Burke’s journal spans the time period of 5 October 1862 to 7 June 1865. According to a note attached to the journal, Burke dictated the journal to a typist from the Y.M.C.A. in 1915. The typescript probably dates from the 1930s–50s.
Burke describes his daily activities as a member of Morgan’s cavalry including traveling to Tennessee with the Confederate Army, camp activities, provisions and supplies, interactions with fellow soldiers and local residents (including African Americans), battles and skirmishes, soldiers killed and wounded, prisoners, and the damage to towns he travels through.
As a prisoner of war at Camp Morton and Camp Douglas, he discusses rules and regulations, fights, prisoner escapes, interactions with guards, food, punishments and abuses, camp conditions, and recreational activities. Upon his release from prison, he describes his travels back home, the people he encounters, and the condition of the towns he passes through.
Also appearing throughout the journal are the lyrics to various songs, including many about John Hunt Morgan.
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CONTENTS |
CONTAINER |
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Civil War Journal, 1862–65 (1 of 5) |
Box 1, Folder 1 |
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Civil War Journal, 1862–65 (2 of 5) |
Box 1, Folder 2 |
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Civil War Journal, 1862–65 (3 of 5) |
Box 1, Folder 3 |
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Civil War Journal, 1862–65 (4 of 5) |
Box 1, Folder 4 |
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Civil War Journal, 1862–65 (5 of 5) |
Box 1, Folder 5 |
For additional information on this collection, including a list of subject headings that may lead you to related materials:
1. Go to the Indiana Historical Society's online catalog: http://opac.indianahistory.org/
2. Click on the "Basic Search" icon.
3. Select "Call Number" from the "Search In:" box.
4. Search for the collection by its basic call number (in this case, M0903).
5. When you find the collection, go to the "Full Record" screen for a list of headings that can be searched for related materials.