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Regiment: 4th Michigan Calvary
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Robert H. Minty, William T. Sherman
Head-Quarters 1st Brig., 2d Cavalry Division,
Huntsville Ala
March 9 1864
My dear Mother
Davidson writes me that
you have received no letters from me
since your return to New York. I can
not see why it is, as I have written you
two or three times. I also wrote little
Addie about a fortnight ago. I direct the
letters as you have told me. Yours
and Mary’s I received in due time. I ought
to have answered them before.
For the past three months I have had
very little to do and have been living almost
as well as at home. I am in a house, with
a well furnished room good bed and all the
comforts of a civilized life. I am quartered
in the house of cousin of Mrs. Peter Dox,
who, by the way, with her husband arrived
here a few days ago. I have not seen them
yet. I am the only officer of our com-
mand here, all the others being scattered far and
near. I have about 50 men of our escort, and 200
of the 4
th Regulars, whom I have to see after
a little. We are in hopes to get together again very
soon and be a power in the land as we were
last summer. I spent two or three weeks in
Nashville last month attending the Court Mar-
tial of Col Minty. He has been honorably acquit-
ted from all charges and is looked for here
every day. I presume after we become reorgan-
ized we shall have active work again. I
have been idle for a long time ever since last
October. I am in hopes that our little
quarrel may be settled before another year passes
I want to get back to citizen’s life again but
suppose I am hooked as a soldier until the
war closes. I am now and have been
since my return from Michigan, perfectly well.
The climate here is very healthy and perfectly de-
lightful, quite as warm as with you in May.
I am now sitting by an open window, in my shirt
sleeves. You may think the latter rather strange
but you know we are limited as to the amount of
baggage we can carry and have not in our satchel
more coats than the law allows.
From Willy I have heard once since his
marriage. Davidson writes that he is with
the Sherman expedition. He may see some hard
service before be gets back. We were very
near going upon the same expedition. Started
on it last Christmas and went as far as
Pulaski but were ordered back One of our
regiment did go. Davidson says
that he expects to take unto himself a spouse
about the 1
st of June. Don’t you think he and
Willy should have waited for me? It is hardly
treating their older brother with proper respect.
You know it is n’t my fault that I am so far be-
hind them. Haven’t I tried often enough? Da-
vidson is very anxious that I should be present
upon the momentous occasion but I do not
think it will be possible for me to get away.
Leaves of absence will not be granted after the
summer’s work commences. I shall make
the attempt however. Has Mary returned
from Washington yet? Davidson says she has been
visiting there. From Charles or Sarah I nev-
er hear now. I should like to know how
they are at least. Give my love to them when
you next see them. Do you see much
of the Kings? I am, I believe, is in the A R
Freight office. He is old enough to be a soldier
now. Remember me with much love to him
and his parents. Tell Mrs. K I am yet hold-
ing myself in obeyance for some of those pretty
girls she has promised me. Where is Jane
Whiteney. I heard a few weeks ago from the
Watermans. They are all well and good there.
Tell Jennie I want her to write me. She is
getting to be a young lady now almost 14 years
old. For all that when I see her I shall expect
to receive a good hearty kiss. I want to see
George and Addie too. Give them a kiss around
for me. I shall expect Jennie to write immedi-
ately upon the receipt of this so that I may know it
too has not gone astray. Let me hear from you soon
again. Love to all. Good night my dear Mother Your affec son
Robert
