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https://micivilwar.com/authors/burns-robert/
Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Near Louisville Dec 18, 1864
My dear Davidson
Several days ago I sent you
$500 by express which I suppose you must
have received by this time. I expected to have
heard from it before now. We are still here
as you see. living in the mud and such mud
ankle deep, and knee deep. We are all mounted
now and ready to start. Have been expecting
to go every day for a week what delays us
I can not tell. Probably waiting on some of the
movements near Nashville. We have escaped some
tough fighting in that section by having been sent
to this place to remount. We ought to be there
as I
know we could be of great assistance in pur-
suing Hood. He should not be allowed to es-
cape. if there is any possibility of
[ ? ] him,
Thomas’ victory appears to have been pretty decisibe,
and if he is able to pursue Hood vigorously the
latter will regret ever having come into one of our
subjugated provinces. Every foot of the way for a
hundred miles below Nashville is known to one Gen-
erals and they should give Mr. H. no peace.
We have been doing quite a lively business here
lately, in the matter of impressing horses. Much of
the Louisville fast stock, many damages favorite
carriage houses are now tied to our lives with
the hated U.S. branded on their left shoulders.
For three days our men were ordered to sieze
every thing in the way of serviceable horse flesh
they could lay their hands on. Milk carts, etrect
cars, backs, vehicles of every description was
compelled to stand horseless in the streets and
be drawn off by lame + blind quadrupeds or
swearing bipeds. Ladies entreated back me
swore fast men raved pretty girls cried but the
hard hearted soldiers had no mercy Uncle Sam
wanted the horses and must have them. Some
of us are splendidly mounted. I will not venture
to say how much of depreciated green back currency
in the shape of horse flesh. I sit astride of when
the mud and rain will permit me to take an
airing. Why haven’t you been down to try my
stock? I looked for you for several days but
have now given you up. You have neither
telegraphed nor written. Why is it?
Would you believe it? I have been twice to the
opera within the last week. Is not that a great
approach a grand forward step to civilization on
my part. I felt rather strange to be surrounded
by beautiful ladies opera cloaks, bright eyes, charm-
ing dawrels and the etc which goes to make up
an assemblage of that kind. I looked as nearly
as I was able as if I had been in the habit of
attending such affairs every evening for the last
three years. I affected the most profound indif-
ference as to the twirl of Carl Auschutz’s wrist
or the depth of Carl Formes’ voice. Hadn’t I
seen them frequently lately? However if we
stay here during this week I will go several times
again, as it is decidedly pleasant to hear other
music than cavalry bugles, and to look upon
mush fairer creatures than the rags we bestride.
Christmas is coming, and I have made
very little preparation for it. If I had it would
probably be thrown away, as we undoubtedly will
be on the road between here and Nashville in
the mud. It can not be much worse then
one last Christmas. I shall be unable to put
my legs under your mahogany and eat your
turkey, but never-the-less I hope you will pass
a pleasant Holiday. Is Morther with you
now? I wrote her a few days ago at Greene.
Have not heard from her in a long while. Give
my love to her, if present, and to Madge.
A Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you all
Good night. Your Affec brother
Robert
J.D. Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
