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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Robert H. Minty, Theophilus T. Garrard, William S. Rosecrans, William T. Sherman
Head-Quarters 1st Brig., 2d Cavalry Division,
Near Columbia, Tenn
April 25 1864
My dear Davidson
We have both kept silence
for a long time. I he came I did not feel a
bit like writing; you, I don’t know why. Since my
last to you. I have spent a month in Nash-
ville. On the 14
th of March I left Hunterville
in charge of our train and about 100 men and
arrived in Nashville on the 17
th Where found
Cal Minty, who had again been assigned to the com-
and of this Brigade, the 7
th Penna Cavalry which
had returned from “veteranizing” and about 500
of the 4
th Michigan. A few days afterwards the
4
th Regular returned from Memphis and the
4
th Michigan (remainder) from Chattanooga, so
that one whole Brigade was again together.
A new deal in the Cavalry organization had taken
place and the 5
th lower, which also had just re-
turned, had been ebuffled out. Our Brigade con-
sists only of the 4
th U.S. 7
th Pa + 4
th Mich. in
all about 2500 men. We remained in Nashville
until the 19
th inst. reorganizing and refitting.
We have obtained new horses, new saddles,
new everything and the celebrated seven shoot-
ing Spencer Carbine, the best
[ ? ] in the service.
The three regiments are armed and fitted out
alike, and we never were in as good a con-
dition. It is supposed that we shall see some
hard service this summer. Our division is
commanded by Brig Genl Ganard and consists of
1
st Brigade Minty’s. 2d Long’s and 3d Wilder’s. Of the
last you have undoubtedly heard. Genl G. is going
to try and have all the Division newly armed and
equipped. I still remain A.A.A.G. of the Brigade. Did
not go on to Genl G’s staff. The new A.A.G. was
about a miles from Columbia and 43 miles from
Nashville. We expect to remain here at least
six weeks, but are liable to be started off any
moment.
I have just received your paper containing
the announcement of Mr. Miller’s death. I am
very sorry to hear of it. It must have been to-
tally unexpected. It will probably make a
change in your plans. What will you now?
So into partnership with some one, or new along?
Will it make any difference in your matrimonial
arrangements! I hope not. Have
you hear from Willy lately? I suppose be
lear been engaged in the battles in Arkansas.
We cannot tell here yet, whether we were
whipped there or not. It looks rather
doubtful. Of course we expect to be vic-
tortious in this section, though I am convinced
our Army would be more confident, if Genl Rose-
craus were here again. Sherman stock is
not remarkably high in the Army of the Cumber-
land. However we are going to win. Have
you heard anything from New York since your
last! Write me soon
Your affect brother
Robert Burns
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
[On Envelope:]
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
