Click here for this soldier’s biography:
https://micivilwar.com/authors/burns-robert/
Regiment: 4th Michigan Calvary
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Morgan L. Smith
Head-Quarters 1st Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division,
Department of the Cumberland,
Somewhere in Cobb Co. G’a
June 23d 1864.
My dear Davidson
I have but a moment to
write as I am about starting for Big Shanty
to see some of our wounded men. We were
in a severe fight on Sunday the 20
th The
4
th Michigan lost 11 killed 23 wounded and
6 missing. Our Brigade ran on to three Di-
visions of rebel cavalry and had to back
out. Byron Lauphear of Lawrence, Co. C was
killed. Henry Sherwood lost a leg. Tom Mc
Kinney, George Worthy, Azro Blakeslee and two
others (new recruits) of Co C were wounded.
You will see accounts of the fight in the
Free Press and advertiser, also in the New
York Tribune. I wish you would get cop-
ies to send me and some to keep. It
was pretty hot work for a couple of hours. We
are skirmishing almost every day, and are
getting nearly fogged out. This work is
very wearing upon as all, though we keep
in good health. We are near the foot of
Kennesaw Mountain and are listening to the
cannonading upon it. The rebels have a
strong position upon the top of it and our
men are digging them off. We can see the rebel
works. At midnight last night we were
all started up by a rebel attack. They did
not come on us, but we had to be ready.
I yesterday met a Mr. Hays correspondent of the
New York Tribune who has just come from
Genl Smith’s Army. He knows Willy very
well, and says he is a very brave and good
officer. Of course I was pleased to hear it.
I can write no more. Love to Madge
Yours affecly
Robert Burns
J. Davidson Burns
Kalamazoo
Mich
[On Envelope:]
July 2, 1864
June 23
J. Davidson Burns Esq
Kalamazoo
Michigan
