Yorktown V^a

April 22^nd /64

 

Dear Ari

                        I am setting on the ground trying to write you a few lines. we left Portsmouth the 19^th and took the Steamer Escort for Newport-news. after we landed we marched about 3 miles and camped for the night. the next morning we took up our line of march for Yorktown (whitch is about 25 miles from Newportnews.) we camped that night at Lees Mills. then we had about 9 miles to march. we then started early the next morning and arrived here yesterday about 11 oclock. the 2^nd N.H. is here. I have seen Frank Harvey. he is well. the 4^th is over the river at Glosessester point. the 3^rd is expected every day. say / wont we have a time when all the N.H. boys get together. the story is that we are going to be brigaded together and be commanded by Gen Marston but I dont know as it is true. we shall stop here untill thay get a large force together of 75 or a hundred thousand (so thay say) that will take some time as there is not many troops here yet. then says I boys, hurra for Richmond. the boys are in good spirets, all ready to start now. dont you worry about me Ari, now will you for if I dont know enough to take care of my self I ant fit for a soldier (dont tell any one) I will tell you the truth as I said I would. it is this, we have got to see some hard marching this summer, but about the fighting, we may fight and we may not. it is all luck. / if thay will keep the balls away from me, thay cant kill me by marching not in the day time. you will feel bad when you get this letter I am afraid, but you must not if you can help it. I dont feel a bit alarmed Ari, so I dont want you to. I have not got a letter from you since we left Portsmouth. what is the matter, have you got tired of writeing. you must write very often now, for I shall look very anxious for a letter from you, for I dont get any from any body else. I feel first rate to day. Ari tell Matt Hall it want hay foot and straw foot, it was limp foot and lame foot. on the march, our officers were all played out. I am going to waite and see if (Uncle Joe) our Chaplin dont get me a letter when the mail comes. I have got tired of waiting for the mail, so I will proceed 

 

Our band is playing now for we are just takeing leave of our Brigade Commander Col W. H. P. Steere. he is going around shakeing hands with every one that he can find. every one is as sollem as if thay were going to a funeral. he is one of the finest men in the army and we all feel very bad to lose him. it made me feel bad to see the Col cry as he went around, and found out how much he was sott by in the Brigade. I like a brave officer. Gen. Burnham takes his place for the presant. Oh: Ari. the mail has come and I got your letter of the 15^th inst. with the same usual low spireted tone. I wish you would look on the bright side a little oftener. I should feel better about you. you look at it one way and I look at it in another way. you think there will be hard fighting before Richmond and I dont think there will be for us for I think thay will seige it. that is to plant some big guns and shell them out the same as thay did Vicksburg. time will tell

S.B.T. 

 

Friday Evening. April 22^nd

You say that you had felt very bad all day the day that you wrote that letter I wish that I had been there, I would boxed your ears or slaped your A—ss. Ah: Ari you would not do for a soldier especialy if there was any fighting to be done. Now mind me once Ari will you, for you know that I most always come out right. dont worry about me, look on the other page, turn over a lief, then it will all come right. I feel just as well as I did down to Portsmouth. if you can read this you will do well. but I have to set on the ground and write on my knees. 

 

the 7^th N.H. come to day. I have not seen them yet. the 2^nd has gorn to Williamsburg to night, the 12^th N.H. is there. it is about 12 miles from here. I wouldnt wonder if we went there soon. well it is most roll call. you must not expect me to write as often as I did. I will write every chance I can get. now remember, I will if it is every day. dont forget Elmer. tell him that I am coming home in about one year. you seem to think that I shant, but I tell you that I be. if I thought that I never should what would be my feelings hay. give my love to all and write very often, for you can and I cant (dont ye know)

 

good night

From your most

afectionate husband

Sergt S. B. Tarlton /

 

Direct to Sergt Stephen B. Tarlton.

 

I shall be more likely to

get it now we are on

 a march.

S.B.T.

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