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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George Thomas
Head Qrs 2d Brig. 2d Div Cav’y Corps
Military Div of the Mississippi
Louisville Ky Dec 3 1864
My dear Davidson
I have refrained from writing
to you for the last two weeks hoping that I
would be able to see you “in
[ ? ] persons”
every day but you see what a damper has
been placed upon my writing aspirations by
the enclosed which I received to-day. It is
now useless for me to attempt getting a leave
of absence and I suppose I shall not be able
to see the North again until I become a civilian
sometime next fall. I am very much disap-
pointed for I had almost persuaded myself that
the application would be granted. We shall pro-
bably be here for some time longer ar horses are
coming in very slowly. Why can’t you come down
here for a day or two! You here could see the
edges of the war if nothing more. Do come you
and Madge! Put your foot in a state at
least half rebel, if nothing more. What say you!
By the above date you will see that we have
changed the
[ ? ] of our Brigade. The cavalry
has been reorganized and we are called as above.
Our Brigade now consists of 7
th PA 4
th Mich + 1
st 3d
+ 4
th Ohio. Come + see us go through the evolutions
dismounted. I suppose our movements will
defend pretty on the campaigning near Nashville.
There has been some heavy fighting there lately. I
think Genl Thomas is very confident of success or be
would not allow us to remain here so quietly. We
would have to play infantry for a little while. It
appears strange to have the rebels occupying the
ground over which we have so often tramped. They
will however be getting from there burriedly and
will probably regret that they ventured so far North
I hope Mr. Forrest will be thoroughly whipped.
The rest of our officers have their wives here. I
had partly made up my mind, if I could have obtained
my leave of absence, to have looked up the future
the R.R. and brought her back with use. Who
knows but what the disapproval on it may have
doomed me to perpetual celibacy?
I sent those tax deeds to Jat Waterman in
Detroit before I “listed for a
[ ? ]”
I shall be looking for you. Telegraph
me at “Galt House” whether you will come or
not. If not I have a package of money to send you
Love to Madge.
Yours affectly
Robert
J.D. Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
[On Envelope:]
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
