Burns, Robert – September 3, 1864

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: Head-Quarters 1st Brig., 2d Cavalry Division, Near Savel Town, G’a September 3 1864. My dear Davidson Yours and Madge’s of the 21st ult I received a few days ago. In it you say that Willy after returning from the trip he was about starting on, intended to go to Missouri to be mustered out with his Com- pany. I have been very desirous to see him here before he leaves the service. and have been constantly looking for him for weeks. I wish you would write him to get ordered here for a few days duty before he leaves He can mangae it in some way. A part of his corps (the 16th) is here now, and Genl Smith could order him here upon some pre- tense or other, if only for a day or two. Genl S. of course has some business with the other Divisions of his Corps. Be sure to write him immediately concerning it. I do not know when I shall have an opportunity of seeing him again, unless it be managed in some such way. I am sorry to hear that you have been ill. I hope you are better now. You ought to be, having the tender care of a good wife. I thank Madge for her addition to your note. Tell her there is nothing you or she can send me. The less we have here the less we are liable to lose and it is almost impossible to receive anything that is sent. I am far away from you and the way is continually disturbed by Mr. Wheeler and his friends. I wrote you a long letter on the 28th ult giving details of our late raid. Should it be lost you will be saved a great labor. “Atlanta is ours” at last of that there is no doubt, as I saw a man last night who had just come from there. I will give you a sample of the ru- mors, we have here to-day; so that you may see how reliable army news is at the rear. You will probably know the truth of the reports when this reaches you. “Sherman has whipped the rebels, struck their army in the flank near Jonesboro as it was marching South, cut it in two and has al- ready sent back 5000 prisoners.” “One body of the enemy is in full retreat for Macon and another towards Augusta” “The bloodiest battle of this cam- paign has been fought” “We have captured 15 trains of cars, destroyed immense quantities of ammuni- tion” +c +c.         We are only 14 miles from Atlanta and those are the stories we get. How they must grow before they reach you! I believe there has been a bloody battle fought some distance below Atlanta and that we have been victorious. Thank God! Oh! if we now had the cavalry we had on the 1st of May, the rebel army could be thoroughly scat- tered. We are expecting every moment to be ordered into Atlanta. After lying so long within rifle shot of it it will almost too bad if we do not have the privilege of riding through it. Read the papers for the next week or ten days and see what our ar- my has been doing. This victory may help Lincoln’s chances a little. It looks to as here as though be were not as strong as six weeks ago. I am glad McClellan has been nominated. I think he is the best man the Democrats have, and I do not believe his nomination will add many votes to those which any candidate, they chose to put up, would have received. I wish we had some of those peace men here men who know nothing what- ever of the sufferings that this war brings. If we don’t want peace, except honorably, they have not the slightest right to complain. My sentiments. Don’t forget to write to Willy. Love to Madge Yours affectionately Robert. J.D. Burns Esq Kalamazoo [On Envelope:] J. Davidson Burns Esq Kalamazoo Michigan