A resident of Andover, Connecticut, Peter Burke enlisted in the Union Army under the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery regiment on December 31, 1863.[1] Peter Burke was associated with Company C, which is credited to the town of Goshen.[2] Burke served as a private[3] from his enlistment until his death on September 19, 1864 in Winchester, Virginia.1 The 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery was called to Winchester when enemy troops broke its lines.1 A total of 20 soldiers were killed and 100 soldiers from Burke’s regiment were wounded during this battle in Winchester.1 For further research, Peter Burke can be found by the alternate name M535 ROLL3.3

The 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery was organized from the 19th Connecticut Infantry on November 23, 1863 and mustered out on August 18, 1865 at Fort Ethan Allen, D.C.1 During Peter Burke’s enlistment, this regiment fought with the Department of Washington D.C., Army of Potomac, and the Army of Shenandoah.1 By June 1, 1865, the 2nd Connecticut Heavy Artillery was under the command of Colonel Kellogg; On, June 6, 1865, Captain R.S. Mackenzie took over as commander of the regiment.1 During Burke’s time in the war, his regiment fought in numerous battles and undertook many tasks. On June 16, 1865, the regiment embarked on the James River, and disembarked on June 17th near the Bermuda Hundred.1 On June 22, the group encountered Hill’s division; ten soldiers were killed and 9 were wounded, but the regiment was able to secure a strategic position that was held for the remainder of the war.1 On July 18th, the regiment commenced its return march from its final destination in Berryville.1 The men were crossing the Potomac River by July 26th.1 Peter Burke’s journey was cut short at a battle in Winchester. On September 19th, the regiment was called to the area. At first, the outcome of the battle was uncertain, but after General Upton’s Brigade arrived, Union victory was ensured.1 The battle at third Winchester was the bloodiest battle of the Shenandoah Valley with more casualties than the 1862 Valley campaign.[4]

[1] "American Civil War Research Database." American Civil War Research Database. Accessed June 09, 2016. http://civilwardata.com/.

[2] "2nd Regiment, Connecticut Heavy Artillery." Genealogy. Accessed June 09, 2016. https://familysearch.org/wiki/en/2ndRegiment,ConnecticutHeavyArtillery.

[3] United States. National Park Service. "Soldiers and Sailors Database." National Parks Service. Accessed June 09, 2016. http://www.nps.gov/civilwar/soldiers-and-sailors-database.htm.

[4] Council on Foreign Relations. Accessed June 10, 2016. http://www.civilwar.org/battlefields/third-winchester.html?tab=facts.