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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George Crook, Robert H. Minty
Head-Quarters 1st Brig., 2d Cavalry Dicision,
Near Pulaski, Tenn
January 4 1864
My dear Davidson
A very much disgusted
be-muddied and dumpish individual sits down
now to address you a few words. Mud sur-
rounds us on every side, we are
intent on mud
even (Do you see the pun?) It is raining
drizzling freezing and totally diabolical. We
left Huntsville on the 24
th ult, passed a
doleful Christmas on the road, and on
the 27
th were dumped down here in the
mud. We have been remaining here since
expecting to move every day. We put up
our tents for 10 hours and have remained
several days. It will not pay to try to
make ourselves comfortable now as we may
be ordered off to-morrow
Our Brigade has been broken up by
Genl Crooks operations and we boil over.
The 7
th Penna left for home Saturday to re-
enlist as veteran volunters. The 4
th Regulars
went to Pittsburg Landing yesterday. Can’t tell whe-
ther they will come back or not. The 5
th Iowa
will start for home in a few days. The 4
th
Mich is near Chattanooga. Col Minty is yet in
arrest and I am sitting with my feet out in
the wet enjoying the Holidays as much as pass-
ible about a mile from Pulaski Tenn.
New Years was a most uncomfortable day. We
enjoyed it as well as we could around a rail fire.
Almost every body got drunk. In the afternoon
we attended the funeral of one of the Lieuts of the
4
th Regulars who died of delirium tremeur
Pleasant, wasn’t it? I am thoroughly disgust-
ed with the army. Drunkenness and gambling
appear to be the rule and not the exception
from the hightest to the lowest. We did not
see any thing of it when Col Minty was here
but now we have it at home. Quite
many of our regiments are going home to re-
enlist for three years. I think when my
time is up I will remain at the North. I
do not see any immediate prospect of winning
a Brigadier General’s stars and am not
further desirous of military fame.
5 P.M. I have just come in from a muddy
rainy ride. I threw down my pen tired of
lying still in my tent told my contraband to
saddle my horse and dashed off through
the mud for three or four miles. I
am completely bespattered from head to foot
but feel in much better spirits. Whenever
I feel terribly blue I ride a mile or two
and return a muddier and better man.
I have now three fine horses and the one
I have just alighted from tried his best to
throw me. My hand still aches from the
exertion of holding him. I am now getting
to be a pretty good rider and am not
easily unseated. So much have I gained
by the war. Just before we left
Huntsville I received a letter from you
of what date I do not recollect. It crossed
on the way one I had written to you.
I have not heard from Willy since his
marriage. Have written him twice. We
buried A. Ismon in Huntsville Dec 21
st He
had been a long time sick. Have not yet
seen the diary for 1864 you were to send me.
How to forward it except by mail. I do
not know. Send it on. I have not heard
from Mother since she left you. I have written
her at Brooklyn. Let me hear from you
soon. I will write you again when I
feel in a better mood. Direct your
letters as before.
Your affect brother
Robert
[On Envelope:]
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
