| Peter O. Bertine (1830-1863) enlisted in the 11th New York Cavalry Regiment on December 17, 1861. He was 31 years old, 5' 7", with blue eyes and brown hair, a native of Westchester County, and was employed as a farmer. Bertine rose to the rank of quartermaster sergeant, in charge of supplies. He fought at Leesburg, Edward's Ferry and other minor engagements in Virginia in 1862. Beginning in February 1863, he was confined to Camp Relief, a soldiers' hospital in Washington, D.C. Bertine died at the hospital on September 29, 1863. The cause of death was listed as "delirium tremors," or mental illness, even though the Bertine family claimed Peter died of typhoid. This was an important distinction since the Army's official cause of death meant that Sarah Bertine, his wife, was denied a widow's pension. Peter's brother George was given leave from his regiment to accompany Peter's body home, where he was buried at St. Paul's, on October 3.
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