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Regiment: 4th Michigan Cavalry
Battles Mentioned:
Historical Figures: Abraham Lincoln, George B. McClellan, Hugh J. Kilpatrick, Robert H. Minty, William T. Sherman
Pine Grove
4th Michigan Cav.
Sept. 15th 1864
Dear Niece,
Your letter date 29
th is received. I hasten to reply, you was a real good girl not to reprimand me for my delinquency in writing you; Hereafter I will do better. I joined my regiment the 22
nd of August. Met with no disaster en route save a thorough drenching with rain. Took passage on top of the cars for about 14 hours. I never knew it to rain harder. And to complete the picture the wind blew terribly. But I had plenty of company and we called it “all glory” and in the “three fears”. I found the regiment 4 miles from
Atlanta in the entrenchments and 25 rods from the enemy who was also huddled down snug in the ditches. An incessant firing was kept up between the sharpshooters on both sides and occasionally a 40lb. would drop a few rods in our rear and explode which rendered our situation a very precarious one so far as safety was concerned. We lay in that position 20 hours after I joined the regiment and under cover of the night we fell back to Viners Station (a distance of 12 miles) and went into camp. I was then
informed that my name was on the list of recommendations to his excellency the Governor of the State of Michigan for promotion- I requested that my name be stricken off as I did not desire to stay in the service any longer than my present engagement. My reason for such action is that under existing orders no cavalry can be re-mounted and whenever a regiment becomes ineffective for want of horses it will be attached to infantry and do duty as such and therefore I have come to the conclusion that three or four months “puddleducking” it will suffice for me. And besides, my present position is equally as good as a commission although there is not quite as much honor attached to it in a military point of view. But I shall be satisfied that I have discharged my duty as a good soldier in faithfully performing the duties of a steward. You expressed a wish that I could have been at your place to attend your scholl picnic- wish I could have been there and helped you to have a good time. I no doubt could have enjoyed myself finely. When Albert is attending school at Ovid, I would like to be with him- think I now passed a more pleasant term of school in my life than at thatold academy under the supervision of Prof. Brown. Albert told me in his letter he thought of going to Lima? Think he has chose wisely in going to Ovid as it is near home and besides the facilities for study are equally as good while the enticements outside the school are less to distract his attention. I received a letter a few days ago from Lester. He was than near Washington. He scolded me a little for not writing you. Said he obtained my address from you. Complians bitterly about having to catty the long guns as they were promised to be mounted as cavalry when they reenlisted. Well Josie I have got lots of news to write or would have it were not for the plagued old telegraph which institution I wish was in Davie Jones Locker. So that we poor soldiers could communicate a little news to our friends occasionally. I assume you have heard all about “The Great Kilpatrick Raid” around Atlanta. Also the downfall of the aforesaid place and all that and every other bit of news of any importance. Therfore I don’t suppose I can tell you anything but perhaps you have not learned of all the particulars of the “raid” The 4
th Michigan took a very active part in that grand affair. The most striking feature of the expedition was the bloody sabre charge by Col. Minty with the 4
th Mich. 4
th U.S. and 7
th PA cavalry. Then he explauns the origin of the newspaper article that is included in this lot. A bloody brutal article that talks or armes being severed and people charging and dying. A very important article to understand the true nature of war. The reporter of this account belonged to the 4
th US cavalry and he has five the names of individual heroism of the 4
th Michigan that are not reported here but I have not time now to give you the details. Of course you know all about the capture of Atlanta. On our way to this camp we marched through the city. A few hours time was given us to view the place. The firstthing that particularly attracted my attention was the excavations made in the ground. Near every house and well covered with dirt as places of refuge for the citizens. While Sherman was shelling the town. Our boys call these places “gopher holes”. Nearly every house or building of any kind I saw had been the recipient of from one to an innumerable number of shells. Some buildings were actually demolished by shells from our guns and the whole city has the appearance of having been pretty hot place to live in while under the fire of our siege guns. I heard that three sisterswere killed in one of those “gopher holes” by a shell which went in at the entrance and exploded. I found the place and learned from the negroes living in the house that it was true. That was indeed a shocking affair. They were said to be beautiful and highly intelligent. Atlanta before the was must have been a beautiful place. Full of fine forest shade trees- elegant residences with grounds made beauitiful with evergreen shrubbery and the finest of flowers. But now it looks BAD- I rode out of the city to view the fortifications. They were so numerous and of so many different kinds that the want of time and space and a little talent precludes the possibility of my giving you anything of an idea of them. After a few hours running around we marched out about 12 miles and here we are encamped in a splendid pine grove where report says we are to remain for two months “big thing” but I “can’t see it” no doubt like Micawber we will stop here until “something turns up” All is quiet in camp save a little political excitement. Our regiment is somewhat divided. The democrats are all for Mclellan while the republicans are unwavering in ther support of Old Abe and Andy. Josie you must excuse my chirography for I have the most miserable of pens also the many mistakes you may find for I have written in double quick time without regard to time. Please write very soon remember me to all enquiring. Your affectionate uncle Albert Direct Atlanta Ga. A wonderful descriptive account of some of the Atlanta campaign and the policical elaction of Abe Lincoln.
