Head-Quarters 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland, Near Sand Town GA August 30 1864. My dear Mother I suppose Davidson has written you informing you of my safe return from one of those raids which have lately ended so unfortunately in this department. On the night of the 17th we started and after going away around both the armies of Sherman and Hood returned on the 22d.
Burns, Robert – August 17, 1864
Head-Quarters 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland, Peach Tree Creek, GA August 17 1864. My dear Davidson Since mine to you of the 4th inst until the 15th we were laying in the trenches
before Atlanta dismounted and expecting every twelve hour to enter the city. We are not there yet as you will probably be aware when you read the telegrams of this late. I shall not foretell when we shall enter the place as I don’t know, and have too often burned a false prophet. Our lines nearly [ ? ] it, and are about eighteen miles in length. Yesterday Capt Thompson + I rode the extreme length of them from left to right and return. and saw the great army under Sherman at some places we are close to the city. and at others several miles distant.
Burns, Robert – July 16, 1864
Head-Quarters 1st Brig., 2d Cavalry Division, On Chattahoochie River, Ga July 16, 1864: My dear Davidson On the 10th inst I received yours of June 26th. Why the long delay in its arrival I can not image. I had written you on the 26th May 18th 23rd & 25th June and 7th July, which you had not received. The letter could not have been very well.
Burns, Robert – June 18, 1864
8 or 10 miles from Marietta Ga In the woods June 18, 1864 My dear Davidson It is a rainy, cheerless, miserable day and I cannot pass a few minutes in a better manner than in writing to you. Since I wrote you on the 12th we have moved forward about three miles. On the 15th the move was made and we were again engaged in skirmishing with the rebels. In fact we are fighting nearly every day (some part of our forces). We are upon the extreme left of the army and “jam” up against the enemy. Yesterday I rode around the picket lines and the rebel [ ? ] were in plain sight and within good range. The pickets were not firing on each other as there appeared to be a tacit agreement between them to remain quiet. I went out between the lines and picked the enclosed which I sen you. When we walked out (our horses we had to leave behind) the rebel pickets moved their hats to us.
Burns, Robert – June 4, 1864
Head-Quarters 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division, Department of the Cumberland, Camp near Etowah G’a June 4 1864. My dear Mother We are still kept moving being allowed to stay but a very short time in one place. Since I wrote you on the 22nd ult we have been scouting and marching around in this section of the country.