After Frank Burdick's father, Russell Burdick, died he went to New York City and worked as a clerk in a store. He remained there until he enlisted in the Union Army for service in the Civil War.

He enrolled on June 25, 1861 at Centralia, Illinois as a private in Company C, 22nd Regiment of Illinois Volunteers, later Sgt., commanded by Col. Daugherty, and discharged September 8, 1862. He re-enlisted September 8, 1862 with a commission as 1st LT., Company A, First Alabama Volunteer Cavalry near Bridgeport, Alabama (near Chattanooga, TN), and served until his final discharge as captain on December 22, 1863.

He applied for a pension (#463519) on October 30, 1862, based on a disability. According to his pension papers "he was greatly disabled and was compelled to resign his position as Captain." His widow, Nancy Margaret Feltman Burdick, and the older children were away from home when he died. She applied for a widow's pension (#292479) on September 26, 1888 which was denied on the grounds that the soldier's death was not the result of military service. The claim was referred for special examination, and several depositions were taken and affidavits obtained.

In April of 1927, Probate Judge John B. Weaver wrote to the U.S. Pension Department on behalf of his "door neighbor" Nancy M. Burdick to inquire if she was not entitled to more than $30.00 per month in pension benefits. A June 13, 1927 response from Winfield Scott indicted she would be entitled to no such increase as she was not the wife of soldier during his period of service.

Fernando "Frank" Cortez Burdick was left behind in the surgeon's tent after having contracted the disabling condition. He was treated by the post surgeon in his tent for 27 (or 37) days, being unable to leave it. Between his illness and apparent paperwork confusion of mustering out of the Illinois regiment to accept a promotion into the First Alabama Cavalry, he somehow wound up being reported "deserted" August 27, 1862, though another roll reports him left sick in Tuscumbia, Alabama on August 27, 1862. A War Department communication dated May 11, 1888 reports "The charges of desertion of August 27, 1862, and on Regtl return for December, 1862, against this man are removed as erroneous."

He received his discharge December 23, 1865 and remained in Alabama which began the Burdick family there. He was a clerk, teacher, county clerk, and probate judge of Winston County; and he assisted in re-establishing postal service in northwest Alabama. See also, petition to Brig. Gen. Wm. Smith on behalf of Fernando "Frank" Cortez Burdick to be appointed Register of Votes, by loyal and true Union Men formerly of the 1st Alabama Cavalry.

Among his friends were the Feltman brothers from Walker County in Alabama. When he obtained his army discharge in 1865 he remained with his Feltman friends and married Nancy Margaret Feltman and they made their home in Winston County, Alabama. Both are buried at the Burdick Family Cemetery near Houston, Alabama which was named for his family and is maintained by the Houston Community.

Information furnished by Sallie Cox