Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/burns-robert/
Regiment: 4th Michigan Calvary
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: John B. Turchin, William S. Rosecrans
1st Brigade 2d Cavalry Div
Murfreesboro May 20/63
My dear Davidson
Yours of the 6th enclosing
Willy’s I have. I was both surprised
and pleased to hear that he was in Kal-
amazoo. I wish he could have come while
I was there. I had a letter from Cousin
Eliza a few days ago. She thinks he has
improved much in appearance and other-
wise. I suppose there is no chance of my
seeing him. Since I came here we
have been perfectly quiet. The Brigade came
in a day or two after my arrival and her
not moved since, with the exception of
changing camp. Our regiment never had
as long a rest before. I have not yet quite
recovered. I am a long time getting well, but suppose
I shall be perfectly sound when I do if length
of time in getting so is any criterion.
We have changed our cognomen again as
you will see by the heading of this. We
have now two divisions. Gen Turchin com-
mands the 2d in which we are. Our
Brigade the 1
st now consists of the 4
th Mich-
igan. 4
th Regulars, 3d Kentucky, 7
th Pennsyla
3d Indiana and 1
st Middle Tennesee. You
may hear of some of the Regiments before long
as I think from present appearances our
whole army will move South ere this reach-
es you. We have been ordered to send back
our extra baggage get rations in havre-
sack, ammunition in cartridge boxes and
strip for the fight. It is the impression in
the camps that we will move very soon
though of course we know nothing. It
begins to look as it did about last Christmas.
The army is confident of a victory if called
on to show
their its muscle. The Eastern army
has had a trial and now it comes our
turn. Gen Rosecrans will do what he can
and we think here that will be as much
as “any other man” We now have a
beautiful camp in the woods away out on
the front, but a very little way from our
pickets. Our tents are all ornamented
with evergreens and we have a slight
shadow of regret at leaving having spent
about a week in prinking and trying to be
good looking. The weather is delightful
and we have made the most of it in a lazy
way. Do as you please with the
quick lot. If Mr. Davenport will agree to the
terms proposed by you it will be a fair in-
vestment. I will sell the Flint lot
for $250 down. The taxes have not been
paid yet I believe. Give my love to
mother. I will write Dr Lee when I get
well. I have been putting it off for that
consummation so devoutly to be wished. Re-
member me to McKibbew, McMiller and other
friends. Let me hear from you soon
Your affec brother
Robert Burns
[On Envelope:]
May 27, 1863
May 20
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Miller & Burns
Kalamazoo
Michigan
