(NOTE: Walter J. Berdine probably never had his portrait taken prior to the Civil War. However, during the 10 month period that the 86th Illinois was in the Nashville, Tennessee area in 1862-63, Walter, like most of the Union soldiers in the Nashville area, probably took the time to sit for a portrait to send home to the loved ones that he left behind. These portraits were most often printed in the form of what was called a CDV, a paper picture glued to a heavier card stock about the size of a modern day baseball card, and the soldiers didn't just have one or two copies made. Most of the time, they had a dozen or more made, so they could swap pictures with their tentmates, messmates and for their friends, in the 86th and back home.
Walter J. Berdine survived the war and lived late into the 19th century. During his life, Walter probably had his picture taken dozens of times. I would dearly love to see a copy of that CDV added to his Find A Grave site for all with an interest to see. However, at this point, I would be thrilled just to see some pictures of him added to his Find A Grave Memorial, even ones of him as an old man. Can anyone help me? Thanks, Baxter)

Private WALTER J. BERDINE, Co. B, 86th Illinois

Walter J. Berdine was born on __________ __, 1842/43 in ___________, New Jersey, the son of Vincent Berdine/Bodine and Mary Louisa (Seiple) Berdine/Bodine. Vincent Berdine/Bodine was born on March 30, 1796 in Pennsylvania, while Mary Louisa Seiple was born on March 28, 1807 in Pennsylvania.

At the time of the 1860 census, the Berdine family is found in Trivoli Township, Peoria County, Illinois;
Vincent Burdine M 63 N J
Mary Burdine F 52 Pennsylvania
Martha Burdine F 19 N J
Walter Burdine M 17 N J
Albert Burdine M 15 Ill
Ellen Burdine F 11 Ill

He is most likely the younger brother of George W. Berdine, who was born in New Jersey and residing in Trivoli in 1862, and possibly even the younger brother of Martin V. Berdinw, who was born in New Jersey and living in Marshall County in 1862. George and Martin also volunteered to serve in what was to become Co. B of the 86th Illinois. George Berdine was married to Mary E. Frey on April 7, 1868 in Peoria County, Illinois.

At the time of the 1870 census, Vincent and his family are still found in Trivoli Township, Peoria County, Illinois;
Vincent Berdine M 74 New Jersey
Loisa Berdine F 68 Pennsylvania
Albert F Berdine M 24 Illinois
Elten M Berdine M 21 Illinois

Vincent Berdine died on August 26, 1873 in Peoria County and his mortal remains were laid in the Brunswick Cemetery in Trivoli, Peoria County, Illinois. See his

Mary Louisa (Seiple) Berdine/Bodine died on February 11, 1887


Family links:
Spouse:
Vincent Berdine (1796 - 1873)*

Children:
Walter J. Berdine (1843 - 1894)*

*Calculated relationship

Inscription:
w/V aged 79 yrs 10 mons and 13 days

Burial:
Brunswick Cemetery
Trivoli
Peoria County
Illinois, USA

Edit Virtual Cemetery info [?]

Created by: Phyllis June "Miller" J...
Record added: Apr 20, 2004
Find A Grave Memorial# 8657531

Now to continue with the biography of Walter J. Berdine;

Living near Trivoli, Illinois in Peoria County at time he volunteered in 1862.

Volunteered on August 15, 1862

ILLINOIS CIVIL WAR DETAIL REPORT
Name BERDINE, WALTER I
Rank PVT Company B Unit 86 IL US INF

Personal Characteristics
Residence TRIVOLI, PEORIA CO, IL Age 19 Height 5' 10 Hair DARK
Eyes BLUE Complexion LIGHT Marital Status SINGLE Occupation FARMER
Nativity NJ

Service Record
Joined When AUG 15, 1862 Joined Where PEORIA CO, IL
Joined By Whom CPT BREASLEY Period 3 YRS
Muster In AUG 27, 1862 Muster In Where PEORIA, IL
Muster In By Whom N/A Muster Out JUN 24, 1865
Muster Out Where SPRINGFIELD, IL Muster Out By Whom CPT MONTGOMERY
Remarks PAROLLED PRISONER CAPTURED WHILE FORAGING WOUNDED JUN 27, 1864

Mustered on August 27, 1862 into Co. B, 86th Regiment of Illinois Volunteer Infantry

Wounded in the left breast during the assault on Cheatham Hill on Kennesaw Mountain, Georgia on June 27, 1864. If he ever left the regiment, he rejoined it in time to take part in General William Tecumseh Sherman's famous, or infamous "March to the Sea".
On February 27, 1865, Private Walter J. Berdine was out foraging along the Catawba River in South Carolina with Private Charles Rook, of Co. H, and Private Francis M. Jones, of Co. I, and they were captured by Confederate troops. The three of them were to spend the next few weeks as "Guests" of the Confederacy in a Prisoner of War camp.

Parolled and sent to Springfield, Illinois where he was mustered out of the service on June 24, 1865.

Married to Alice M. ____________ on ____________ __, 18__.

At the time of the 1880 census, Walter and his Alice are found residing on Olive Street in St. Louis, Missouri, where he is working as a Collector.
Walter J Berdine Self M 37 Pennsylvania
Alice M Berdine Wife F 26 Kentucky
F G Goddard Other M 41 Kentucky
Susan Goddard Other F 36 Kentucky
Jennie Goddard Other F 12 Missouri

Walter died suddenly of a heart attack about November 18, 1894 at the age of 48 in St. Louis where he was working as a traveling salesman.

Buried in the Wesleyan Cemetery in St. Louis. His grave may never have been marked. "Cemetery office confirmed that this burial is unmarked." However in the early 1950's, the bodies of the 20,000 people buried in the Wesleyan Cemetery were moved. On Deecember 25, 2011, I received the folloiwng information from Andrew. "Baxter...The only place I have seen any info on or about Walter Berdine is on Find A Grave. From what I have been able to 'uncover' about Wesleyan Cemetery is that with the move in 1952 (last) is that Wesleyan contained about 20,000 burials - only less than 1,000 made it to Memorial Park Cemetery. Going over the list of names, there are no military burials. As was stated before, they were sent to National Cemetery. I finally found an entry that stated some burials were moved elsewhere, by family, to other cemeteries. As I stated before, call, write or go to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery and inquire about reburials from other cemeteries, as Wesleyan. They may have a separate section where they are buried.
Andrew"

Andrew, Find A Grave Contributor #47234683, wrote me previously on November 27, 2011 with the following information. Wesleyan Cemetery was moved in 1952 to Memorial Park Cemetery (between section 25 & 5). I have a copy of the original "inventory of bodies" that they received. Walter Berdine is not on this list. However, there were a lot of Union Civil War Veterans buried at Wesleyan; they were later moved to Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. I would call, write or visit JBNC and see if he might be buried there. Andrew

Alice M. Berdine filed for a widow's pension on November 23, 1894. Card can be seen on familysearch.

Family search has a card which was filed on March 30, 1929 on which a Alice M. Collins is listed as the remarried widow of Walter J. Berdine, of Co. B of the 86th Illinois.

t is not known how long she lived after this or where she is buried. Is she buried next to Walter?