Camp 13^th N.H. Vol^s

Near Point of Rocks V^a

Sept 18^th /64

 

Dear Ari!

                        I will try and write you a few lines to day. I have been trying to write to you all of last week, but Serg^t Winn has been sick with the chills and fever, so thay have kept me on the trott all of the time. he has the chills every other day. he lays here now, shakeing like a good fellow. I am well most all of the time now days. I got three letters from you last week slap, bang, but no papers. did you send some writeing paper. if you did I have not got it, except this great big large sheet that you sent in one of the letters. luckey you sent it for I hadnt a bitt. I got a letter from Emma Jenness this morning, the little M^cClellan girl, / as she calls her-self. well that will do, she cant vote. you wanted to know if I wanted any-thing in the shape of clothing. not untill I get paid off, I want to send you some mony first. I have got the vest you sent me last year, and the gloves to, thay are good enough to last me this winter. I would-nt send a box or any-thing else by express untill you hear from me again. Government uses those boots that you sent me for pontoon boats, to crose the Appomattox River with. let us see, thay were N^o Eight(een) wasnt thay. I most forgot the N^o but I never shall forget the boots. Splended boots, yes, a little tight in the instrument. No Ari! I guess I wouldnt send a box just yet, for I may not get it. I will let you know when to send one. 

 

You say that you have got a new song, bully for you. I have got one too, and I will send you a coppy of it. it is one that the rebs throwed over to me when I was on picket. thay put a bullett into the paper then threw it over to me. it is a little secesh, but I would like to keep it for the sake of where I got it and how I got it. the Johnnys keep deserting every day. thay say it averages 15 deserters a day that are reported at Division Head Quarters. I wish thay all would desert. Oh: the weather here has been quite cold for two or three weeks past. it rains to night and Ben is sick, so it makes things appear kinder gloomy to me. I have to act ordley and it keeps me doing about all of the time, but we have got a first-rate Capt that is half / of the battle. How is that little man Elmer, with his high heal boots on. ask him if his boots are as handsome as them that mama bought for papa last year. tell him to be a good boy for papa has got only one year longer to stop out here, and that will soon pass away. I would like to see the little rogue. his hair is a little darker then it was, aint it. kiss him for me and let him kiss mama for me to. Serg^t Morrison expects to go home soon. he is getting along slowley. Tell Frank any-thing but chargeing on a bees nest with a pitch fork, that beets our chargeing out here with bayonetts. I must close. Give my love to all the folks but keep the most for your self. Good night from your affectionate husband,

Sergt S. B.Tarlton

SOURCES