Alan,
Thanks for the info regarding John F. Burk. I think you are right on the mark about Chickamauga and his possible demise. Since the regiment does not show any record after August 31, 1863 of him, is there a source of causualties for the battle? What is so ironic is that he grew up about 8 miles from the battlefield and that his father was pastor of the 1st Baptist Church of Chickamauga prior to the war. My belief is he is buried at Chickamauga, because there is no grave for him with the other family members. John's father, William P. Burk (the minister, my gg-grandfather) was arrested by federal forces during this same time for "hiding horses" to prevent the Union troops from seizing them. He was sent to Camp Morton as a civilian prisoner where he died in early 1865. I've always wondered if he was doing more than "hiding horses" to end up in a POW camp in Indiana.
I live outside Atlanta, and wil talk with the rangers at Chickamauga to see if they have any info regarding casualty records.