Tabernacle Historical Society

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My name is Private Richard Burke. At the age of 19, I was mustered into Company F of the NJ 38^th Volunteers on September 14, 1864.  I was mustered out on January 30, 1865. 

My regiment was organized at Trenton, New Jersey under the command of Colonel William J. Sewell, Lieutenant Colonel Ashbel W. Angel, and Major William H. Tantum.  We were one of several regiments recruited at this time intended for guarding rear areas and handling supplies to free up more experienced troops for front line duty. The 38th New Jersey Infantry Regiment was made up of several Companies, whereby we all left the State by detachments for City Point, Virginia.

I never saw battle. 14 men in my regiment died from disease. After my enlistment ended I lived in Shamong with my wife Sarah and son George. I worked as a farm laborer. By 1880 I was a farmer and now had 2 additional children, my daughters Ellan and Josephine. In 1884 I lived on what you now call Patty Bowker  Rd; it was Red Lion to Goose Pond Road about a half mile south of the bridge over Bread and Cheese Run.

 I died in 1892, I was 47.

An interesting fact about my regiment is that the second 38th Infantry was first established on 28 July 1866, as part of the Regular Army, one of six segregated, all-black regiments created following the Civil War. It was organized on 1 October of that year at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, and was stationed in New Mexico Territory and along the transcontinental railroads then under construction. Cathay Williams, the first recorded African American female to serve in the U.S. Army, served with the 38th during this time, disguised as a male.

Location of Richard Burke’s house on today’s Patty Bowker Road

(1884 New Jersey Mirror 2 October)

Just after the Civil War, in 1868, I sold 51.6 acres of land, for $400.00, at a Ballinger’s Mill Road (today’s Medford Lakes Road) site.

In various records, Richard’s name has been spelled two ways, with an “e” and without an “e.” Below and on his tombstone we see it without the “e.”

(1890 Veterans Census – Richard Burke)

Richard Burk (Old Tabernacle Cemetery Row 25 Lot 3)

Timeline

• c. 1845: Born, based on his stated age at enlistment.

• September 14, 1864: At age 19, mustered into Company F, 38th New Jersey Volunteers.

• 1864–1865: Performed rear-area/support service; the booklet states that he never saw battle.

• January 30, 1865: Mustered out.

• 1868: Sold 51.6 acres near present-day Medford Lakes Road for $400.

• 1880: Living in Shamong as a farmer with his family.

• 1884: Living along what is now Patty Bowker Road.

• 1892: Died at age 47.