Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/burns-robert/
Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: General Smith, Nathaniel P. Bank
Head-Quarters 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division,
Department of the Cumberland,
Near Columbia Tenn
April 29 1864.
My Dear Davidson
“Marching Orders” have been
received and to-morrow morning we start for
Chattanooga. It is rumored that a general move-
ment is taking place, and that the campaign
in this Department is opening. Our Brigade
is in excellent condition and we expect to
make our mark again. We do not know
what is going on near Chattanooga, but rumor
says that hard work is before us. Last year
we did not move until June 24
th and I then
thought the campaign was long enough before
the season closed. Two extra months this
time. Wildeir Brigade and our are to
start to morrow leaving Long’s to follow us
in a few days. All our tents and extra bag
gage has been stored in Columbia and we are now
reduced to our fighting costume. All we are to
take are our blankets and a few tent flies. Very
few wagons are going with us. Have you
heard anything from Willy yet. I am beginning
to feel a little anxious about him. Sawton with
fifity men of our regiment have just returned
from the scene of the Red River battles. He saw
Genl Banks + Smith. Not knowing that Willy
was there he made ne enquiries about live
and heard nothing. He should have written
ere this. I saw in the papers to-
day that Mrs. David Dudley Field was dead. She
must have been pretty well advanced. I wrote
you about a week or ten days ago. Have
not heard from you in a long time. Write
me soon. Do you still think that your
wedding will take place in June! You
will have to give up all hopes of seeing me
there then. It will be impossible for me to
get away. Let me hear from you soon.
Direct to Chattanooga. I will write
you from there of I can. Good bye
and good night. Your affect brother
Robert Burns
J Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
[On Envelope:]
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
