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Regiment: 4th Michigan Calvary
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Head-Quarters 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division,
Department of the Cumberland,
Near Trenton Ga on Raccoon Mountain
Sunday morning May 8 1864.
My dear Davidson
Having a few moments to spare while
the horses are being
saddled fed. I seat myself &c
up at 3 o’clock this morning expecting to start at 5 but
delayed by the now arrival of our forage train. Yes-
terday we left behind our wagons, and now carry all
our little worldly possessions on our saddles. One
blanket and a pouche to a man. We have ne tents and
are as near the primitive man as health & deceacy
will allow. To-day we are to leave behind even our
forage train and shall be obliged to live on the count
ry. Yesterday I explored Nickajack Cave near Bridgeport Ala
for a quarter of a mile. A sketch of it appeared in Harpers
some time ago. We expect to go toward Lafayette Ga
and probably will meet the enemy in a day or two. Our
whole army, I believe, is moving. We hear rumors of
fighting already having taken place. I do hope we
may completely and thoroughly win at the coming battle.
The rebellion I think will receive a terrible blow here
very soon. We have not the slightest idea of being whipped.
Our army is large enough, and sufficiently well equipped to beat
anything the rebels can pit against us.
Nearly all the officers every officer near me are is sitting on the ground with his
sheet or half sheet of paper on his knee or a board writing home.
The bugles are blowing “boats & saddles” and in a few minutes
we will be on the march again. I may not be able to write you
again for some days, but will at the first opportunity. Wrote you
april 25 & 29 & May 6. Have heard nothing from you in some time.
Let Mother know where I am and that I never was in better health
and spirits. Sleeping on the ground don’t disagree with me. Good bye
I must start. God bless you
Your affect. brother
J. Davidson Burns Esq Robert
Kalamazoo
Mich
[On Envelope:]
May 14, 1864
May 8
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
