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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George Crook, George Thomas, Robert H. Minty, William S. Rosecrans
Nashville Tenn
February 14, 1864
My dear Davidson
Yours of 24th + 31st ult
I received a few days ago. I have also
received the diary you sent me. Thank
you for it. I will forward to you my
old one at the first opportunity. I
have been here for the last two weeks
as a witness at the trial of Col Minty.
It is almost over now and I have not
the least doubt
but that he will be
honorably acquitted. Whether he will re-
turn to command the regiment or Brigade I cannot
say. I shall start for Huntsville again
the day after to-morrow. How long I shall
remain there is doubtful, but probably a
month at least. We have a few men there
yet of the 4
th Regulars. Our regiment is
very much scattered. 350 of them at Chattanooga
150 near Knoxville, and about 400 here. It
is again full in numbers. We having received
within a month about 500 new men, re-
cruits, + drafted individuals. I may before
long return to the regiment can’t say. Ourcav-
alry is not now as well organized as it was a
year ago. We appear to have no head. Genl
Crooks has left the Department and gone to
the
Western Virginia. I do not know who is com-
manding the 2d Division. Probably when the
veterans return things will be straightened
again. Our army still believes in Genl
Rosecraus. There is yet a Department of
the Cumberland commanded by Genl Thomas. You
wished to Know in your last. I can not
write more to-day as our room is full of
officers chatting + laughing. Will write
when I return to Huntsville.
Yours affecly
R. Burns
J.D. Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
[On Envelope:]
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
