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https://micivilwar.com/authors/burns-robert/
Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, Orlando B. Willcox, Thomas Williams
Camp Minty, Detroit
Aug 24, 1862
My dear Mother
To you I will send the
first word I have written since I
entered camp. I am now as you
see the second of your boys who
has taken up soldiering as a bus-
iness for a little while. I left
Paw Paw last Monday night with
70 men for this place. Our captain
did not come until Wednesday with
40 more. Since my arrival I have
been so busy that I have written
no one. I have not yet seen Cou-
sin Eliza. I was in Mr. Waterman’s
office for a few minutes for Thursday
but had not time to go to the house.
For the last four weeks I have
been very busy enlisting men, and en-
listed 73 out of 110. Until the Presi-
dent’s drafting order came. We formed
it up hill work but after that our
company filled up in two days and
we had to turn away about 80 appli-
cants. I have slept in camp every
night since my arrival, and have
been out of it but once. I left my
business as it was, and hope soon
to see Davidson here on his way to
look after it. I suppose he will
make his appearance to-morrow or next
day. The Watermans i.e. Jot Wm J and
their Mother have been up here twice to
see me. Eliza is sick, and sits up
but a few hours a day. Jot brags some
of his boy. We shall probably
remain here at least two months or
our horses have not yet been pur-
chased, and it will require some
time to drill them. I bought a
very good horse about a fortnight
ago for which I paid $125. I have
already expended about $300 in
getting ready and it will cost me
$200 more. so you see soldiering
don’t pay in a
[ ? ]. We
have a very fine Colonel one whom
I knew in Canada eight years ago.
The rest of the officers I think I shall
like. I hope to be pleased with
camp life but I must confess to finding
it rather hard at first. I have how-
ever made up my mind to go in
for the war if my health hold out.
It appears to agree with me so far.
Tomorrow we all have to appear ful-
ly armed and equipped at the funeral
of Genl Williams, and on Wednesday
at the reception of Col. Wilcox.
Some of us will feel rather green in
our brass buttons. All of Michi-
gan has turned out under the Presi-
dent’s last call. Many farms have been
left and all have gone or are going to
the war. About two thousand men
in squad have arrived in Detroit
alone this last week. I hope
it will all soon be ended. From
Willy I have not heard since his
arrival at Helena. I do not know
where he is now. When you write let
him know of my movements. We
have no idea where we will be sent
nor when. I will write you
again as soon as we get more
settled. Give my love to
all and ask them to write
me. I do not feel blue yet
have been too busy but may af-
ter a while. Good night!
My dear Mother.
Your Affectionate son
Robert.
[On Envelope:]
Mr J.D. Burns
Care of Hon J.G. Master
Buffalo
N.Y.
