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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures:
Paw Paw July 27, 1862
My dear Davidson
Yours of 20th with enclosed cer-
tificate received. It was such a letter as I or any
one else, like to receive. I am glad to hear that
you are so much enjoying yourself. You can imagine
what a disappointment it was to me that I was com-
pelled to give up my New York visit. I had fully made
up my mind to spend a few weeks with you all, and
make myself as comfortable as circumstances would allow.
But now instead of hobnobbing with friends in the
city. I have been for the past fortnight dodging around Van Bu-
ren County. Last Saturday (a week ago) we had a war meeting
here, on Monday at Lawrence, Tuesday at Breedsville, Wednes-
day at South Haven, Friday at Porter, and last evening here
again. Joe Austin Judge Nash Sheriff Durkee Melchon Dyckman
and I went the rounds. We have had pretty good success have
enlisted and sworn in 38 men and will I think without
doubt fill up the company within the next fortnight.
From Paw Paw we cannot get a man. If the young
men here can get all the whiskey they want, have the privy-
lege of elevating their heels against some wall higher than
their beads and talk “horse” they are perfectly contented
If the country is saved, they will be with it. They
are perfectly willing to sit in the boat. knowing that
they can’t be thrown overboard and let somebody else
do the rowing and tugging. Country store clerks are
in my opinion the smallest atoms that can lay claim to
the name of man. The village also has a knot of
secessionists who do all they can in an underhard way
to discourage enlistments. We will succeed
however. This state has not the war fever, which I
see by the papers, is raging in other states. We must
draft to fill up our quota unless more enthusiasum ex-
ists. Geo W. Sawton og Sawton is to be our 2d
Lieutenant. He is a young attorney there. I do not know
that you ever met him. He was formerly from Auburn
and a graduate of Geneva. Your friend Charly
Thompson is trying to get up a part of a company of
Infantry in Kalamazoo. I do not know how he is
succeeding. I have not been there since you
left. Paullind has gone to Niles to make final
arrangements for moving there. He will probably leave
in a week or two. I think with you that
you had better come to Kalamazoo, and move my
duds over there. I may as well break up here now
as ever. I think we can work our way through. A
few weeks ago I received a letter from Mr. Davenport
saying that he would let me have $3000 or $4000 to
use if I wanted it. He appears to be satisfied with
what I have done. It is too late to turn back now.
Tell the children that I will if possible see them
all in N.Y. this fall and that I will at least send Ad-
die a uniformed photograph. I suppose you have heard
from Willy by this time. He was well and safe
July 14
th and I presume wrote to N.Y. at that time.
Tell Selah that there is already in this lit-
tle county from war claim agents. Ruggles + Still
of this place appear to do more business than any
others. The latter has not returned from his
bridal trip yet. I bear to night
that your friend Judge Williams of Allegan is rais-
ing a Company of Volunteers. Success to him.
Ten Eyck has been sentenced to Jackson for ten years.
Poor fellow I pity him. Do not cut your visit
off any yet. I shall not leave here before the 15
th
of August if at that time. Let me hear from you
again. Give my love to all. Yours affectly
R.B.
