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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
No 5
Camp Rosecraus near Nashville
Tenn Dec 18, 1862
My dear Davidson
Your numbered 7th + 8th received. Since
I wrote you last we have had no great changes here
We have been out on one or two scouts. one to
Franklin where we had quite a skirmish. You will pro-
bably see something of it in the papers. There for the
first time I saw some dead rebels killed by our men.
I captured a prisoner took from him horse saddle and
arms which I at present have. I shall not write
any of the particulars as I intend to send you my di-
ary after the 1
st of Jany and you there causes them.
We are kept very busy all the time. Nearly every day our
whole regiment is out on picket duty foraging or some-
thing of the kind. A few nights ago 43 men and Capt
Abeel were captured when on picket by the enemy. We
are now completely
[ ? ] with Colt’s Revolving Rifles. have
thrown aside our sabres, and are in fact mounted Ri-
play infantry, being a combination of Infantry and Cavalry.
As to Dr. Bibly’s statement. I told him that if he
wanted to pay a part on the whole of his principal be-
fore due. I would write to J.W.W. and see what could
be done. I never said a word about refunding the 5
perc’t on any portion of it and made him no promise
whatever. I have made no one promises about re-
funding anything or deducting any portion they have
paid or may pay.
You are shivering, I suppose with closed doors and
blazing fires. We haere live mostly out of doors and find
it not uncomfortable except at night. We have seen snow
but twice and then it remained but an hour or two,
I wish you would get me a good pocket diary (even if
you have to send to NY for it) and send it to me by
mail. I can think of nothing else though there are
many things I would like to have. If you can get a
chance I would like to receive one of my pairs of slippers
They would be useful. We are very busy so much
so that I have not yet been to Nashville, 1 ½ miles
from here, since we came, except passing through on
an excrusion. I received a letter from Mary a few
days ago. All well in Brooklyn. I have not yet seen
Mrs. Worden. I have no time to write more. Let me
hear from you soon. If I can this evening I will
add a few more lines
10 o’clock P.M
I have not yet written Willy as time is hard to get.
I hardly write to anybody but you. You must do
the writing business for me. We shall probably
stay here for some time or within a few miles of
Nashville unless we are driven out. Of that however
we have little fear. I can write no more. Love to
my friends. Your affectionate brother
R. Burns
[On Envelope:]
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
