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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: William S. Rosecrans
Please save for me extracts of papers referring to
our army movements. See telegram to N.Y. Tribune about
Dec 15. referring to our dash into Franklin under Gen
Stanley we are not In camp in the woods about 9
[ ? ] but were the first miles from Murfreesboro and 20
into town. from Nashville. Sunday evening
9 o’clock Dec 28, 1862
My dear Brother
You see we we on our winding way. On
the morning of the 26
th the Army of the Cumberland
started for the south on three different road
with a front of about 12 miles. The roads are
the Murfreesboro on the left. Nolansburg centre,
and Franklin on the right. We are on the
Murfreesboro on the left wing. There is a small
force of 2 or 3000 about 5 miles still on our
left. Our army has 98000 fighting men in
it and the enemy supposed to have 75000.
On Friday morning about 12 o’clock and
10 miles from Nashville the hall opened. The
4
th Mich Cavalry were the extreme advance
of our wing or corps on the Murfreesboro Road
I had an opportunity of hearing the whistle
of bullets and the shriek of shells. We
drove them (the rebels) that might to within
a mile of Savergue. Yesterday through Sa-
vergue to here on the banks of Stewart’s Creek
To-day being Sunday (I suppose for that reason)
our army has nested. The enemy are in sight
about a miles distant a cross the creek
drawn up in line of battle. It is supposed
that they will make a stand tomorrow. Gen
Rosecraus and other Generals are here. I saw
him pass this afternoon. I can not write more
to-night as I am called on to do duty. If I
have a chance to-night I will send this back
to Nashville. Good bye. God bless you
I will write again the first opportunity.
Watch the papers. Yours affecly
R.B.
[On Envelope:]
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
