Burns, Robert – August 17, 1862

Michigan Civil War Collection Letters


Click here for this soldier’s biography: https://micivilwar.com/authors/burns-robert/
Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry Battles Mentioned: Historical Figures: Paw Paw Aug 17, 1862 My dear Davidson Yours of 12th from Geneva received. I am glad to hear that you are enjoying your- self. You had better shorten up your visits as much as you can conveniently and come here. We shall leave here Wednesday or Thursday for Detroit. We have been ready for a week or ten days, but there were no accommodations in the camp ground for us. Since you left Michigan has raised nine in- fantry regiments and two cavalry ones. Camp accommodations can not be processed fast enough for all, so some of us have to wait. Our company is full and running over. We have refused about 60 men and now have 115. We could easily have raised a battalion of 300. I am now sorry that I did not take the Captaincy. If officers were to be elected. I would get it almost unanimously. The most of the young men of this place are going with us. Most Buck A. Iswin, Ed Stevens and others have enlisted as privates, we have swept the county and every day men are begging to get in. The President’s drafting order brought them Charly Thompson’s infantry company is full. Whif Tompkins is to be his 1st Lieut. I would like you to be here before the 1st of Sept, as Paul- lind will break up here then to move to Niles, and I would like you to save some of my things in the general wreck. You had better stay here for a month or six weeks before you move to Kalamazoo. I will see you in Detroit however and then we can talk it over. I have been so busy that I have not had time to write I have bought a horse and a pair of blue pantaloons with a yellow stripe not to mention a brass buttoned coat. You see I am approaching the condition of a “galliant” warrior. I shall expect to see you about the 26th or 28th in Detroit. Good bye. Giv my love to enquiring friends. Yours affecly R.B. [On Envelope:] Mr. J.D. Burns Care of George E. King Esq Rochester N.Y.