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Regiment: 4th Michigan Calvary
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Near Dallas G’a May 30, 1864
My dear Davidson
“If you will have a letter ready by
one o’clock I think I can get it through for you”
That is what the post boy told me a few mo-
ments ago and I will see what can he done.
We, you see, yet remain near this place hav-
ing found it somewhat more difficult to dislodge the
rebs from here, than was anticipated. We have
been fighting them here since the 25
th. Last night
from 10 until 1 o’clock there was a very heavy battle
going on, with what success I have not yet learned.
The rebels made an attack along our whole line
but were, I think repulsed. Even now at 10 A.M.
I can hear cannonading & musketry. We last night
were riding nearly all night. Rode eighteen miles
and slept within five miles of where we started. Had
to go a long roundabout road as all the shorter ones
were filled with infantry. We were making a move
to concentrate when the rebels attacked us. I
have not time now to tell what we have been
doing for the last week or two but it is enough to
sla say that we have been marching and fighting
nearly every day. Lawton was badly, though not
dangerously, wounded on the 24
th shot through the
shoulder. I wrote you by him. I have written
you several times since I left Columbia. On the
6
th, 8
th 11
th 20
th & 26
th inst. I received a letter from
you on the 20
th a long one. You know
that we are cut off from all communication with
the outer world being now on one grand raid
and aiming to get possession of Atlanta. We shall
be there I think in a short time, as our
army feels confident of a victory. The rebels
appear determined to make a stand at this
place. It they do they will be pretty effect-
ually used up. From what we can
hear from Virginia all appears to going right in
that part of the country. Their battles there
have been terrible. I hope we may not have
to pass through such. However we are willing
to do what is necessary. I am and have
been very well but worked very hard. We
do not pretend to eat or sleep regularly. Lie
down on the ground wrapped in our blankets
and nap it roughly. Our horses are saddled
twenty hours of the twenty four. We suffer great-
ly for want of forage, our horses are failing rap-
idly. You can have us idea of the waste of
war. I hope it may soon end. I can’t be
with you on the 8
th. Happiness to you and Madge
Good bye. God bless you and her. Write Mother
for me. I have written her several times
within the last two weeks but there is
great doubt about my letters being received.
I write at every opportunity.
Your loving brother
Robert.
[On Envelope:]
June 9, 1864
May 30
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
