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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Alexander M. McCook, Dan Butterfield, George Thomas, Horatio P. Van Cleve, Robert H. Minty, Thomas L. Crittenden
Head Quarters 1st Brigade 2d Cav’y Div
Maysville Ala 10 miles N.E. of Huntsville
Flint River Bridge Oct 20, 1863
My dear Davidson
Down in this Dixie I shall attempt
to write you a few lives. After wandering to and fro
up and down the country, we have settled here for a
few days. On 26
th Sept and 7
th Oct I wrote
you a line each day to let you know that
all was well with me. Since then I have been
perfectly well physically but mentally and morally
in a bad way. As things have been managed lately
in this command we have been in a terribly swear-
ing mood. But no matter.
Sept 17
th I wrote you from near Reed’s Bridge Ga on
the banks of the now famous Chickamanga Creek. We
had gone down there the day before and were on the
extreme left of our army. Some what in this shape
[hand drawn map]
You probably have seen maps of the county which
will explain our position better than I can. We were
thus situated on the morning of the 18
th when the attack
commenced. Wood (the left of Crittenden) was at Gordons Mills
the rest of the army away on the right. We had known
for a day or two that the enemy was in great force in
front of us (we being in the extreme advance and one pickets constantly
exchanging shots) Col Minty informed Genl Crittenden where and how
the enemy’s corps were posted we having learned from the citizens and
our scouts, but Genl C. would not believe it. “pooh pooh no such thing.
Keep good watch, don’t get scared” Such was the substance of what
he said if not the words Genl C. has since learned to his cost that
Col M was right. On the morning of the 18
th we had ordered one scout
of 100 men to go towards Lafayette and one of 75 to Ringgold to “drive in the
enemys pickets push them see what and where they were” +c They had no
sooner got outside of our pickets when they ran on to the rebels advancing
in force. They skirmished with them for a half hour when they sent us word
that the rebels were coming in crowds and that they would have to re-
treat they had struck against a snag which would sit give way. The 4
th
Mich was sent to reinforce them at once and all the rest of our brigade
made ready to move in any direction our wagons sent on the road to-
wards Gordons Mills. In not more than 15 minutes after the first alarm
we were all moving to the front where at about a mile our men
were fighting. When we arrived there we could see the rebels moving
towards us and from the clouds of dust on all the roads in
every direction we knew that they were all coming. We had two pieces
of artillery which opened on them to which they soon replied. Col Minty
sent to Col Wilder (2 ½ miles to our right) informing him if the state of affairs
and asking for reinforcements. Col W. sent us two regiments. Before they left
him the rebels had struck him and he had his bends full. We were
all day fighting and slowly retreating. At one time nearly our whole brigade
had to cross the Chickamanga over a narrow bridge two abreast. I stood
there along time directing them and seeing that the shaky flanks were kept
in their places. The rebels had a good chance to fire in to us there, but
our men crossed at a walk none ran. The enemy’s forces were twenty to
our one Longstreets whole cross being in our front. We of course did not attempt
to hold him, but merely to delay his advance and allow our infantry in our
rear to be prepared. I never knew a day to pass so quickly. We had fought I suppose
until 11 o’clock when we reached Gordon’s Mill, and it began to get dark The whole day
had been used up. Rickard of Co C was killed and Feman wounded. Capt Pritchard was
wounded by a piece of shell in the arm. We were under fire for 9 or 10 hours. Shot
+ shell sometimes flew unpleasantly close to me. At dark we reached Gordons Mill. There
found Col Wilder + command who had also been just driven in. Genl Wood met as
and asked what all the row was about. said that nothing but the enemy’s cavalry was
there and he would take some of his infantry and soon drive them out of the
woods. He sent Van Cleve with his division in to do it. but they soon came back
with sore heads having been quickly driven back the woods were full of rebels.
Genl Wood then came to the conclusion that it was something more than a mere cavalry
skirmish. We lay that night where we were in a line within 100 yards of the evening
with our horses a quarter of a mile in our rear. We could hear the rebels talking
in the woods. I never passed such a night it was cold and bleak. We were allowed
no fires and not a man slept every one of us expecting at earliest dawn to be anni-
hilated. We knew that if the enemy made such an attack upon us as he did upon
Johnson 31
st Dec at Stone River very few of us would escape alive. No one dared speak
above a whisper. During the night Genl Thomas was moving his forces in our rear
to place them on our left and McCook was moving towards us. We were in
the front
of the centre of the rebel army. There we lay all night cold and shiv-
erring. At daybreak we were ordered to fall back through the infantry who
had taken their position a few hundred yards behind us. Silently
we did so and were glad to see that the woods and field in our
rear were filled by our men. We were told to move back a
quarter of a mile to a corn field feed our horses and try to sleep. We fed
our horses but didn’t sleep much. At 20 minutes of 8 o’clock Sept 19
th the first gun
was fired a half mile or so in front of us. We knew that it was to be a
great battle. Soon occasional sputterings of mucketry could be heard then
cannonading. Firing was also heard several miles to our right where
part of McCooks forces was engaged. It was not until nearly 11 o’clock
that the battle became general. Then volley after volley of musketry until it was
one continuous roar. You could not distinguish the separate shots or separate
volleys. It was all one. There was not as much cannonading as at Stone
River the ground was so densely covered with thickets and woods that can-
non could not be advantageously used. I have heard officers say
[ ? ] have
been in many battles that they never heard such firing of small arms. The
smoke sore out of the woods but we could see none of the fighting through
not more than a half mile from it. We did not care about seeing it. Per-
sons in battle have very little curiosity to see the fight though very anxious a-
bout the result. We remained there until noon when we received orders
from Genl Rosecraus to report to Genl Thomas near Rossville. Genl T. by
that time had moved his corps to that point. The battle was being
pushed towards Chattanooga. The whole battle was fought sideways on
the march as it were.
[hand drawn map]
The rebels were pushing towards Chattanooga and our
troops had to be drawn from our right marched behind the battle fireld and
hurled against the rebels on our left. As soon as those on our right be-
came in their turn disengaged they were marched to our extreme left. So
you can see that we were continually shifting positions. According to
orders we started for Genl Thomas over a road filled with wagons, fugitives, wound-
ed men, mules, niggers and confusion generally. To Rossville was 6 miles. The
road ran directly behind the live of battle. Once we rode up on top of a hill
and looked down upon the fight about a quarter of a mile in front of us.
The field miles long, was covered mostly with woods. In
[ ? ] the battle
was raging fearfully. We could see a part of it. I can not describe it here. We
were ordered to remain on that road during the afternoon at any rate it was
dark when we reported to Genl Thomas. He told us to report to Genl Granger. We
did so + were ordered to
[ ? ] and be ready for anything in the morning. At
3 o’clock the next morning I went to Genl Grangers for orders. Received them from
Capt Russell his A.A.G. Poor fellow he was killed a few hours afterwards. Shot dead. En-
closed you will find probably the last order he ever wrote. We were ordered to go upon Missionary Ridge
to Missionary Mill, 7 or 8 miles and to prevent the rebel cavalry crossing and turning our
left flank. We went there and spent the most of the day. We could hear the roar of battle again a
few miles from us. About 4 o’clock we were ordered from the Ridge down the
Ringgold Road as Granger had been compelled to move to Thoomas’ support. We pushed
down several miles and soon ran on to the enemy’s cavalry. Where we were use knew
not. All our couriers were cut off by the enemy. They were to the right left
and in front of us. We fought them until dark driving their cavalry a mile,
and lay down where we were. During night we sent off couriers in all
directions some of whom reached their destination. The army was again shift-
ing position having been badly used during the day. The enemy had been too strong
for us. On the morning of the 21
st when we awoke we found ourselves
in a valley in front of Missionary Ridge about a half mile before the centre
of our army. Genl Thomas was posted on the Ridge behind us. In
fact we were between the two armies and in a very unpleasant sit-
uation liable to be fired into from both sides. Thus
[hand drawn map]
There was but one way we could get out, through a narrow gap. by
a road to Rossville. We were ordered by Genl Thomas to wait until the rebels
approached and then to fall back. We had not long to wait. Soon they
came on driving in our pickets. We fell slowly back and it took them
several hours to drive us into the Gap. We lost quite many killed + wounded.
When we approached the gap we were fired into once by our own infantry
by mistake. We got safely through however and were glad to see the gap
and Ridge covered by our men. The enemy then made an attempt to
carry the Gap but were repulsed with great loss. The fighting was tearific
for ¾ of an hour. He had to with draw and armmed himself by throwing
shells at our troops on the Ridge. In the meantime we had reached
Rossville, where we halted for an hour. It was filled with wounded
men, and all the sights of an army engaged. There we sat listening to
the fight. We were then ordered to the left back of the Ridge to
guard some Gap there where it was feared the enemy would attempt
to cross. On our way several shells which the rebels were
throwing at the troops on the hill, were carelessly aimed too high
and went clear over the Ridge and burst in our column. We
[ ? ]
ed that night at the place I have marked having strong pickets on the Ridge.
At midnight word was sent to us that the whole army was falling back to
Chattanooga and we must send one regiment to the Gap through which we had
passed. It was expected that we would hold the paper as long as we
could and then fall back to Chattanooga fighting. We sent the 4
th Rega-
[ ? ] to the Gap and waited until morning. Soon after daylight (22d) one
picket reported the enemy coming in. We held them at our pass as long as possible
and the 4th Regulars did so at theirs. However there were too
many their whole Army was advancing and we retreated to Chattanooga fighting
and skirmishing the distance was about 6 miles. Interim our infantry
and artillery had been busy throwing up breastworks at Chattanooga and
were in strong position. They were about a mile and a half in front of the
town. We passed through them into the village. The enemy came up to
where our main army war and concluded to wait. During the day they
felt for one position but dared not attack. They shelled us all day but re-
ceived no reply. We went to our old quarter of Sept 12
th with nothing to eat
for our horses. The town was filled with our wounded who were being burried
across the River. I cannot describe to you the sights I saw.
We remained there until the afternoon of next day (23d) hearing occasional cannonading.
Then we were ordered into the rifle pits to assist the infantry dig and throw up breast
works. We dug like beavers until 3 o’clock in the morning. During night picket
firing was going on. Then we was ordered across the river and into Tennessee Val-
ley to recruit our horses. Moved up and through the valley until the 28
th when
we found ourselves at Washington. Rhea Co. Tenn. guarding the fords there against an
expected crossing by the rebel cavalry. There was Brig Genl Crooks commander of
our Division, the 2d. I will now give extracts from my diary as it is less trouble
than trying to remember.
Tuesday 29
th Near Washington, Remained still daring day. Scouts sent ou to sur-
picious points on river. No doubt of Forrests being there in force
Wednesday 30
th Near Washington During night orders came to saddle up, enemy reported
to be crossing the river. The 4
th Mich which was sent to watch ford at midnight be-
came engaged with the crossing rebels and was forced to fall back. Genl Croocks to
moved with his whole force which he had scattered from Kingston to Chattanooga
down towards Smith’s Cross Roads. By good luck on their part the 4
th Mich
and one battalion of 4
th Regulars joined us before we reached the x roads. The
2d Kentucky joined us in night. the 4
th Ohio not yet heard from probably
cut off. Somebody has blundered. Infantry Generals can’t manage cavalry. We
[ ? ] three miles below the x roads.
Thursday Oct 1. Near Smith’s Cross Roads. Rained all night + day for the first time since
Aug 10
th. We did not move during day though expecting to every moment. The rebel cavalry
supposed to be about 10000 strong passed during the night through the Cross Roads and
up the mountain towards Pikeville. Lieut Stockton 4
th Regulars and picket of 25 men were
gobbled up by them on their way. The 4
th Mich were sent to skirmish with their
rear guard in morning Genl Crooks moved up to top of Waldrons Ridge with one
Regiment of the 2d Brigade.
Friday 2d Near Smith’s Cross Roads. At 2 A.M. we started and marched up on
Waldrons Ridge by Hart Road. There about 6 A.M. found Genl Crooks. Then with
1
st + 2d Brigades of 2d Cav’y Div and Wilders Brigade of Mounted Infantry which had
joined as last night, moved across the Ridge into Sequatchie Valley about 8 miles
below Pikeville. Wharton with 3000 rebels had passed down the valley at 10 o’clk.
3 hours ahead of us. The remainder of the rebels under Wheeler were there going
up the Cumberland Mountains at Pikeville. Genl Crooks determined to follow
the latter but by a different road. We commenced ascending the Cumberlands about 5
and at midnight the whole command had reached the top. We then
[ ? ]. We
have 5 pieces of artillery and about 3500 men.
Saturday 3d On Cumberland Mountains. At 5 ½ A.M. we started again our brigade
having the advance the 4
th Mich leading that. About 3 P.M. arrived at the valley in
which McMinnville lies. about 10 miles from it. From top of mountain
could see the rebels in the valley. Skirmishing commenced as soon as we
descended. The 4
th Mich went in and had a brisk fight. Wilder’s men afore
their arrival were dismounted and showed the enemy their calibre. Lighting
was kept up until dark. 2 of 4
th Mich were wounded and 3 of Wilders.
Eleven dead rebels were found. We killed about 25 of them.
[ ? ]
on the field with horses saddles + men under arms.
Sunday 4
th In morning no enemy to be seen be having gone to Mc
Minnville. We followed our Brigade in the rear to-day. When we arrived
at McM. We found “ruin” The enemy had been there and destroyed all
government stores. The streets were strewn ankle deep with oats corn
flour hard bread +c +c. They had robbed on sick men there of money
clothing and whatever they could find even of things they could not use
We did not stop but pushed on. Our advance had struck the rebel
rear guard two miles before reaching McM and followed it through.
Six miles beyond they made a stand until dark. The 2d Brigade
and Wilder’s fought with them as long as it was light. We did not
get in. We had several you did none killed. About 10 rebels killed.
Had another night of sleeping saddle and armed
Monday 5
th The rebels had again moved during the night and the coast was clear.
We started early after them. About 10 miles from Murfreesboro we turned from the main
Pike and went into Murfreesboro on the Liberty Road. Reached there at dark. We had
marched 41 miles without a single halt. The rebels kept on the Woodburys Pike
to within 3 miles of Murfreesboro and turned to the left. We had expected to meet
them in front of Murfreesboro but they dared not come there. We
[ ? ]
near the fortifications. After our arrival I went to find a box of clothing boots
+c +c which I had left for storage in the fortifications last june. Every thing had been
stolen from it. I found a few of my letters + papers scattered in the store rooms
Tuesday 6
th Intruder starting early in the morning but the distribution of rations
forage + horse shoes detained us until about 10 o’clock. The rebels had approached to
within 3 miles of Murfreesboro yesterday, burned the rail road bridge across Stone
River and started for Shelbyville. We to-day started after them. Just before starting
Genl Mitchell came in with the 1
st Cavalry Division. They had followed us from
McMinnville. We marched to beyond Guy’s Gap and
[ ? ] near our camp
of June 28
th. Genl Mitchell’s command joined us about 11 P.M. We have
now here about 7500 cavalry
Wednesday 7
th By a mistake (no order to march having been received) our
Brigade did not move until noon then Gen Mitchell informed us that our Di-
vision was beyond Shelbyville skirmishing with the enemy. We immediately sad-
dled up and started. Passing through Shelbyville young ladies with Union flags
greeted us. They recollected what we had done there last June. We there met
Genl Dan Butterfield. We moved out on the road towards Farmington when
nearing there could hear the cannonading of our Division engaged with the
rebels arrived at Farmington at dark. The 2d Brigade and Wilder’s
Mounted had had quite a severe battle there. Had taken 3 pieces of artillery
and about 300 prisoners. Our forces lost about 100 killed and wounded
[ ? ]
others Col Monroe of Wilders Brigade killed. On account of our non-arrival
at Farmington in time Genl Crooks put Col Minty under arrest and ordered
him to return to Murfreesboro. Col Siper of 7
th Penna was put in command of
the Brigade. Stayed at Farmington
Thursday 8a Early in morning started again in pursuit of the rebels but
could not catch a glimpse of them during the day. Col Minty went to Murfreesboro
In evening reached Pulaski. Across the creek there
[ ? ]. The detach-
ments of one and the 3d Brigades were now temporarily put under command of Col.
Lowe of 5
th Iowa Cavalry who joined us in the chase yesterday at Shelbyville
Friday, Oct 9
th Pulaski Tenn. In morning I reported to Col Lowe, he
wished me to remain A.A.G. of his command. Very early we started again. the 5
th
Iowa in the advance. At sugar Creek some 10 or 15 miles from Pulaski we struck
the rear guard of the rebels, two regiments, about 500 strong. The 5
th Iowa skir-
mished with them dismounted across the creek with no great success on either side
Genl Crooks then ordered the 5
th Iowa to charge. The rebels were drawn up in line
on a hill at a short distance off but after firing one valley at us turned tail and
fled. We pursued them 5 or 6 miles killing 13 and capturing 95. One man slightly wound-
ed on one side. I participated in the charge and pursuit but didn’t get a hit
at any of them. The column then pushed on 7
th Pa having the advance
they ran into a few more rebels badly slashing one. About dark we passed thro’
Rogersville Ala. From there we went to Lamb’s Ferry on the gallop with
sabres drawn expecting to find the enemy on the River bank engaged in cross-
ing. They however were too quick for us. Everyone of them were on the oppo-
site side of the Tennessee. Not a single soul to be seen. We returned
to Rogersville greatly disgusted. Wheelers great “raid” is supposed to
be over
Saturday Oct 10
th Rogersville Ala. Remained all day resting our horses
who are almost worn out. Burned $30000 worth of cotton near our camp
Sunday Oct 11. Again in the saddle. On our return. Marched to Athens, Ala.
Monday Oct 12. On the road early. About 1 o’clock reaches Huntsville Ala. Genl
Crooks then marched us out on the Newmarket Road and after spending all
the afternoon in alternate fits + starts marched us back to Huntsville and
told us to lie down there. We stayed near where we were last July.
Tuesday Oct 13. Genl Croooks didn’t know where he wanted to go or what to
do so after marching 26 miles in a circle through a drenching rain be finally en camped
us within 8 miles of Huntsville at a place called Meridianville. Genl Roddy
with a few hundred rebel cavalry is reported to be near here somewhere and
the sapient heads of Genl Mitchell + Crooks are being rubbed to-gether to see
if they can’t bag him. There isn’t much danger for Roddy. Infantry Generals not over
acute can not catch a smart rebel cavalry man. Our Generals appear to think that
all that is required of us is to ride from morning till night with nothing for
our horses to eat. though we pass by thousands of acres of corn. The dead
bodies of our horses now line the road sides where we pass.
Wednesday Oct 14 We again started this morning as the rain every body
[ ? ]
ing Genl Crooks for putting us a mile away from corn, wood or water, when
the country is filled with all three. We marched towards Winchester until
1 P.M. when
[ ? ]. The chore is reported to be over. Roddy hav-
ing without much difficulty having effected his escape.
Thursday Oct 15. Again early on the march Raining all day. Our Brigade in
the rear. Reached a little beyond Salem when an aid of Genl Crooks came to inform us
that we must turn about again and go to Ala. Camped at Salem
Oct 16. Marched cold and wet to Newmarket.
Oct 17 Marched to Maysville. “ Here we are, how long to
remain I know not.
Oct 22d I have been for a day or two writing the above
you can see that I have not many conveniences for writing, the rain
sometimes drops on my paper. We have no tents nor wagons yet and
have to shift the best we can. Yesterday we heard that
Genl Rosecraus had been relieved and was to be succeeded
by Genl Thomas. I regret it exceedingly though Genl T.
is a fine soldier. What Genl R. has don deserving censure
I cannot conceive. This army has implicit confidence in
him. Genl Stanley has been removed and Genl Elliott
of Iowa is to be our Chief of Cavalry. I regret
more than all the arrest of Col Minty. He and Col Wilder are the
only men in this department who have won any distinction as
Cavalry leaders and all our other Generals are jealous of them.
Mitchell + Crooks are Infantry Genls and do not understand the
management if Cavalry – and would do anything to ruin Minty
Cenl C. has seized the opportunity and will do his best. I
have no doubt Col M. will come out all right. Our Brig-
ade is the only Cavalry mentioned in the battle of Chick-
amango which still farther discompores Genl C. He was
on the right and did nothing. I believe and so do
all who know the circumstances, that if Col M.
had command at Washington in Genl C’s place, that
Wheeler would (could not) not have crossed the Tennessee on
the 30
th Sept. Some such opinions were uttered in the
hearing of Genl C. A great many of the 4
th Michigan
offices will resign – and the regiment I doubt not will
got to the I – I unless Col M – is cleared. We all feel it
as a personal wrong. I like Col Lowe our new
Brigade Commander very well and have no doubt we
shall agree. However that is not all We took pride
in our Brigade, as it was the best one in the ser-
vice – and now to have it split up and di-
vided among the different commands is more than we
can easily bear. The other brigades are exceedingly tick-
led as they were very jealous of us. You have no idea
to what an extent envy + jealously is carried in the
army. Men (officers) have more personal hatred to-
wards each other than they have towards the
rebels. I hope Col Minty will soon come back
to us. I shall remain here until the war closes as I
inlisted for three years. That of course depends in a
great measure on health +c. I am now perfectly
well. Have received no letters from you since
the one Porter bought. Have not received a mail
in two months. Only three since we left McMinn-
ville. We occasionally see a paper. In Louisville
Journal of Oct 10 is a very fair account of the
battle of Chickamanga at least of the part our com-
mand took. Write to me soon. Direct
4
th Mich Cav’y. Give my love to Mo-
ther. You can see by our
[ ? ]
that I have had no opportunities to write
you before. You must have received one of
my letters since the battle. Good bye
God bless you all. I shall send this when I can.
Your affectionate brother
Robert
Maysville Oct 27.
A detail with unserviceable horses is going to Nash-
ville to-morrow rmorning and I shall be able to send this
This is the first opportunity I have had. Still no mail,
and we have almost given up expecting one. Since
Aug 24
th I have not heard a word from the world
I suppose all are well. We are still here living on
the country with one stock nearly ruined. A
rumor reaches us to-day that our wagon train was
destroyed a few days ago on the mountains between
Stevenson + Chattanooga. If so good bye to the little
comfort we have. We also hear that Col Minty has been
ordered back to duty. I hope so. Great changes have taken
place in our army here. New commanders coming in and
old over going out. Nothing new personally. Good bye again.
Yours R.B.
[On Envelope:]
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
