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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Alexander M. McCook, David S. Stanley, George Thomas, Thomas L. Crittenden, William S. Rosecrans
Head Quarters 1st Brigade 2d Cav’y Div
Reeds Bridge, Caktoosa County
Georgia Sept 17, 1863
My dear Brother
Here I halt for a few moments to
drop you a line. We are still pushing on as
you see. I wrote you on the morning of the 13
th + sent
the letter to Detroit by Ed Owen who has been compelled
to resign. We left Chattanooga that afternoon and crossed
the line into Georgia. There had been heavy skirmish-
ing in front during the day and a general battle was
expected. In the morning (14
th) the enemy had disappeared
and were reported to be moving towards one centre which
was commanded by Genl Thomas. We with Genl Cirttenden’s
Corps moved to support Thomas but the enemy were
not there. We were then ordered back to one extreme
left and here we are. We now report to Genl Cirt-
tenden who commands the 21
st army Corps and the
left of Genl Rosecraus Army. Our brigade has been
temporarily detached from the rest of the Cavalry. Genl
Stanley with that is on the right with Genl McCook.
We are about 8 miles to the left of any of our infantry and
are said to be very near a large force of rebel cavalry.
Yesterday we had a slight skirmish in which a sergeant of
the 4
th Regulars was killed. Our horses are saddled all the
time and we sleep booted and spurred. Yesterday we sat for
a couple of hours on horseback in live of battle expecting the
rebels they having driven in our pickets (or attempted to)
I think they are all moving South as fast as they can leave
behind a force of their cavalry to cover their movements. We
expect to go forward again to see this afternoon, as a
Brigade of infantry has been ordered up in supporting distance
The rebels are a long time in finding their last ditch
We are obliged to move cautiously as we are getting
pretty far down into Dixie. Our communications have
to be all guarded which takes time and labor.
We look every day for a mail in which I expect
to find several letters from you. Have not heard
a word from you since July 30
th. Wrote you on
July 26
th Aug 14
th 16
th 25
th Sept 8
th + 13
th. It is doubtful
whether you have received all, my communications, the
mails from here being very irregular. We send our letters
off trusting to chance for them to reach their destin-
ations. I shall not write much here as this will
probably go to the dead letter office. I am and have
been very well. Never better. Of course am very
dirty and tanned and would not cut much of a
figure in Broadway. You would advise me go to a
barber and tailor before you would be seen walking
with me, but I think I can beat you riding or sleep-
ing out doors. We have not had a tent with us since
Aug 17
th Sleep on the ground every night, except when
we can manage to get into a deserted house when we take
the floor. The weather is warm and dry and the
dust a column of cavalry raises in moving is suffocate-
ing. Sometimes the horse immediately preceding can-
not be seen. It gets into our ears, noses, hair and
through + under our clothes. I however am rather
fortunate in that respect as I ride at the head of
the column. I do very much wish you could come
down here and spend a few weeks with us. You
would see such sights as you never dreamed of before
Sometimes some of the officers friends come down. Can’t
you? I will give you a good horse to ride and take as
good care of you as I can. One of my horses was stolen a
few weeks ago but I still have 4 to manage. Give
my love to Mother. She is with you yet I suppose. Is
the day yet settled when you become a Benedict.
Yours affecty
R.B.
[On Envelope:]
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
