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https://micivilwar.com/authors/burns-robert/
Regiment: 4th Michigan Calvary
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: George Stoneman, James B. McPherson
Near Decatur Ga July 26/1864
My dear Davidson
Yet all right. Have just
returned from a very successful raid of
over a hundred miles. Burned rail road
bridges, depots and destroyed several
miles of track on the Atlanta & Augusta
R. R. at Covington. During our absence
we had the bloodiest fight of the war here
for the numbers engaged. Genl McPherson
was killed, one of the best officers in the
United States. We have buried 3200 reb-
el dead. Our whole loss in killed wounded
and missing was 3500. Rebel loss must have
been at least 10000. To-morrow morn-
ing we are to start again under Genl Stoneman
to cut the R. R. running to Macon. All the
others from Atlanta have been cut. We shall
probably have some fighting within a day or two. I
have rec’d the Tribune of 8
th I have not time
to write more. Love to Madge Yours affecly
R Burns
[On Envelope:]
Aug 5, 1864
July 26
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
