Private John Duke was born 1837.

He was mustered into Confederate service on May 14th, 1862 when he was enlisted as a Private in Captain Smith’s Company (Key West Avengers), 7th Regiment Florida Infantry by Major R. B. Thomas at Tampa, Florida for a period of 3 years or the war.

He was present on all rolls until his transfer to the C.S. Navy on August 5th, 1862 to serve in CSS Chattahoochee as a Seaman.

Reported on sick furlough December 11th, 1862, requesting pay from June 30th to October 31st, 1862 at Leon County, Florida.

He was recommended for discharge from military service by Acting Assistant Surgeon W. A. Lively at Fort Brooke, Tampa, Florida on January 13th, 1863. He was diagnosed with rheumatism and general debility, due to torpid liver, enlarged spleen, and abdominal dropsy. There is no further record of service after this date.