Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/burns-robert/
Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Braxton Bragg
Camp near Munfordville Ky
Oct 27, 1862
My dear Davidson
I wrote you on the 15th just from
near Crab Orchard where Danville which I sup-
pose you have received. Since there we have
been continually on the go. The 18
th and yes-
terday were the only days we have out been in the
saddles. We have been amasing ourselves chasing a
[ ? ] called John Morgan. For night after night
we have been aroused at one o’clock and marched
30 + 40 miles here + there through almost
impassable mountain roads and all appa-
rently for nothing. We have had guns capped
skirmishes thrown out and been all prepared
for action several times when Morgan “more
est inventur” Our regiment has already
deteriorated very much both in men and
[ ? ]
We do not look like the same body who
left Detroit a few weeks ago. Men are sick
horses have died. A week ago our Co
could only muster 40 men fit for services.
It is not so much their bodily health that
suffers as their moral. Men who in
Michigan were considered honest now have
no hesitation in steeling, robbing, passing coun-
terfeit money +c. I suppose our Co has passed
several thousand dollars of broken Michigan
money. We have the worst name in the Reg’t. I
have tired to help it but can not. We have
had no tents and been obliged to sleep on the
ground every night. Yesterday morning we a-
wake with a cover of two inches of snow. My
head was lying in a puddle it had melted
for itself. We subsisted for one week on
three days rations. As far as the comfort
of living is concerned there is no com-
parison between our mode and that in a
state prison. If I had my choice, as far as
mere comfort goes between being sentenced
to State Prison for three years or joining a
cavalry regiment for the same length of time
I would quickly prefer the former, that is if all
regiments are used as ours has been. This
I would not say before the men of course.
I have not had my trowsers off since I left
Louisville and I don’t know when this will
be. If our faces are washed once in four
days we are fortunate. Our prinicipal aim
and object appears to be to get something to eat
whether honestly or not makes no difference.
On Friday we passed over the
month of “Mammoth Cave”. Several of the
men weak in to see it. I did not. So it
is the roughest road I ever saw. We are
now about 15 miles from there. How
long we shall remain here I can not say. We
are at present waiting orders. There is a rumor
that we are to have an armistice of 40 days. I can not see
why I do not receive any letters. I have not had
one since I left Detroit. We are expecting the
mail to-day. If I receive nothing
[ ? ] be to you
and others. Where are you in Kalamazoo or
Paw Paw? Have you been to Niles yet? How
are all my friends? Generally I have
been well tho’ some days I thought I should
have to give up. Diarrhea is very prevalent. I
have had one or two attacks but am well now I
fear rheumatism more than anything. Where
is Willy? We have not smelt powder
since the 14
th about which I wrote you.
I do not know when we will again, as Bragg’s
Army has left the State. Where you write to N.Y.
tell them you have head from me and
I am well. My fingers are too cold to
write more with comfort. I believe it is
[ ? ]
cold here as in Mackinaw. Write
Yours affecly
R.B.
I think a letter directed to Munfordville or Lou-
isville would read are.
