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Regiment: 4th Michigan Calvary
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Emery Upton, James H. Wilson
H’d Qrs 2 Brig 2 Div C. C.
Chickasaw Ala Mch 15/65
My dear Davidson
Yours of Feby 26th I
received just before we broke camp
and started on the campaign.
Monday night we started at 2 o’clock
and are now here on the south
bank of the Tennessee River and
as nearly as possible on the line be-
tween Mississippi and Alabama.
We shall probably be here for a week
as it will take all that time for
the whole of us to cross the River.
We do not know where we are to
go but have suspicions. The
officers are to send back all their
[ ? ] and baggage, and for a few
months we will live in a state of
filth. I send you my sabre
by express. It is about used up
but I want to keep it as a memento
of the war, and to show my
grand-children. Please have the
rust rubbed off and the bruises
mended
We had a review here the other
day in which we received many prais-
es. Genl Wilson & Genl Upton both
Potomac men, said they never saw
any cavalry that would equal our Divis-
ion that the Potomac Cavalry was
not to be compared with us in drill,
appearance or style of marching. Pret-
ty good so far, now we must show
them how we can fight. There
is however a vast deal of swearing
here, at the manner in which we
have been treated. When a General of
the Potomac fizzles there, he is sent
here to command our cavalry and
experiment with it. We think we
have Colonels and Generals of our own,
who know much more about this count-
ry, and how to manage western fighting
than the men who have been beaten
so many times in front of Richmond.
We won’t grumble however. Regular Army
rules now and it is useless for volunteers
to kick against it.
I wrote Mother immediately
after receiving yours of 12
th ult. I
presume she has it ere this.
Give my love to her and Madge.
Let me hear from you soon again
Your affect
Robert
J. D. Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Mich
[On Envelope:]
March 25, 1865
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
