Yorktown V^a

May 1^st 1864

 

Dear Ari:

                        It rains this morning so that we all have to stay in our tents and it gives me a good chance to write you a few lines. we are haveing bully times here. Ari, we have to drill about all of the time but that is what I like. we had a review yesterday afternoon and I was in command of old Co. K for the Capt and Serg^t Morrison went over the river to see some boys in the 3^rd 4^th and 7^th N.H. Regt. whitch are all over there, so it fell on me to take the Co out for review. Gen. Buttler reviewed us. we are in the 2^nd Brigade 1^st Division 18^th Army Corps. it is Gen Brooks Division. so if you see any thing in the papers about Brooks Division you will know that I am thar

 

Serg^t Morrison saw his brother in the 3^rd, you know him, dont you, Bill Morrison he says he is as fat as an old sow. I sent over for Lieu^t Lamprey to come to come over and see me and I look for him over before I finish this letter. if he comes I will tell you about him. there is lots and lots of boys that are over there that I know if I could get over to see them but it is hard work to get a pass to get over. the way that Sergt Morrison got over, he went with the Capt. you know officers can go where thay please. Oh: Ari: it is May morning. I like to forget it. perhaps you are out Maying this morning. I hope you are and haveing a good time. I would like to be there and go with you. you and I and Elmer would go together, that would be all that I should want. wouldnt we have a good time (hay, what) but if it rained as hard there as it dose here, we should not go. 

 

do you know Sam Spaulding of Exeter he is in the 10^th N.H. thay are camped right by the side of us. I was over to see him last night. he use to work for Ad Towles I will tell you what Reg^ts belong to our Brigade. the 4^th R.I. 10^th N.H. 13^th N.H. 8^th Ct. 118^th N.Y. fine Regts. but the 4^th R.I. is detached and are at Point Lookout so we have only four here now. we have always been in Gettys Division but now we are in Brooks Division, do you understand. well, my salt horse is ready for dinner, so I will lay this aside untill after dinner. can you read my letters after you get them for I have to write in a hurry every time I write, so I cant write very well.

 

(after dinner). I am setting right on my a—ss on my bunk writeing. Morrison & Winn are here writeing both of them. Winn says I have dated my letter April if I / ant D—m me. Jim says if you hear anything about Brooks Division takeing Richmond or steeling any pigs, eggs or the like, you will know that he is around. Ah Ari if you could see the works that we have out here. I guess you would think that we did not care much about fighting or any thing else. I guess the folks at home make more talk about our going up towards Richmond then we do. it dont worry us any. we are just a going to dig them out if we cant get them out any other way. the folks do say that the mail is to be stopped for a certain time, so if it is, you will know why you dont get any letter from me, but you must write if I cant. give my regards to all the folks. Good day

 

From your most affectionate Husband,         

Sergt. S. B. Tarlton /

 

tell Han to write that puzel again for I burned the letter and forgot it for we left Camp Gilmore so suddin                   

Pea Nuts & Spuds

            Write very often, S.B.T. 

 

P.S. I have just been up to the 7^th N.Y. Battery, and shord the Majors horse so you see thay cant get along without me, if it is sunday. the Capt of the Battery wants me to shoe for him all of the time. their blacksmith is sick.                                          turn over— 

 

I dont see why it is that thay are all after me to shoe for them, when the Army is full of blacksmiths, do you. there is more then a dozen in our Regt. but thay never call for them. I begin to think that I am a pretty good shoeer, shouldnt you.

 

Good night      S.B.T.

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