Uncle Burdette's service was exclusively with troops. First with the 90th Regiment at Key West (Graham has yet a bottled scorpion that he sent home from there, found in his sleeping blanket), then with the 16th Cavalry in Virginia, and finally with the 162d Regiment in the assault on Port Hudson. He was also with the Banks Red River expedition. No better man ever straddled a horse; he could have acquitted himself as a champion "bronco buster."
The following incident belongs right here:
Headquarters, Fort McHenry, Md.,
Sept. 18th, 1863.
Special Order No. 190.
Lieut. H. B. Smith, of Co. D, 5th N. Y. Arty, with a guard from Co. G., N. Y. Arty., consisting of one sergeant, two corporals and twenty-two men, with two days rations, will, when transportation is provided, proceed to Alexandria, Va, in charge of ninety-three soldier prisoners, and turn them over with lists and charges of same to the commanding officer of Camp of Distribution, near that place.
II. This duty performed Lieut. Smith and guard will return without delay and report to the commanding officer of this post.
Lieut. Thos. Grey, the quarter master, will furnish the necessary transportation.
By command,
Col. P. A. Porter.
Ford Morris,
1st. Lieut. 6th N. Y. Arty.
Post Adjutant.
Lieut. Smith,
D. Co., 5th N. Y. Arty.