No 3                                                                                                                         

Falmouth operset

Fredericksburg            Va      

Jan 27 1863

           

Dear Ari

                        I again trye to write you a few lines whitch I ought to have don before but have had no chance to. I wrote to Mother last week. who told that story that I was killed in Battle. tell that person that their tongue is too long and they had better wate untill thay know before thay report such a story to keep my Mother and Father in truble all the time. if that thing should happen to me I have friends enough in the army to write the truth to you. I am well never was better. I was weighed the other day and weighed 158 lbs what do you think if that hay. we are in camped at the same old place 

 

David Lock was left in Washington sick when we came from Concord and never been with us sence Oliver Philbrook is here sick of being a soldier. we were under marching orders all of last week but there come on a heavy rain storm and stopped us. we should have had one of the hardest battles fought yet if it had not been so muddy but now I dont know what will be don as Burnsids is out of it. old Uncle Joe Hooker as the boys call him is in command. I went down to the depot this morning to see Franklin and staff go to Washington. he is a brave looking General. those three boys we lost in battle still live John Hammond H C Thompson & J H A Hanson were taken prisoners and are peroled. our Co is very sickley out of 98 / men we draw 65 rations and there is 47 of them sick only 18 men on duty it makes it hard for thoes to do all the duty I have it a little easer for I have been promoted to corporal shit

 

I dont have to stand gard in the rain now. I got that picture of Elmer it is very good I had it for a sheild in the pocket of my shirt when I went into battle I thought if I fell that should go with me. before we went into the battle I filled my bosom with plugs of tobacco 2 inc thick. that was better then the steel vests. Send me that box just as soon as you can if the express men will take them direct to Stephen B. Tarlton 13 Regt N.H.V. Washington D.C. in care of Capt Betton. pair of stout boots N^o 8. dont send / any thing that will spoil too quick and send what you are a mind to.

 

some stockings

           

I must close give my respects to all I am in an aufull herry

good by

S. B. Tarlton

                       

how is Elmer

 

I can get paper enough now

we have been paid of

and you look out for

your ten dollars if you

have not got it

                                   

good by again                           

S.B.T.

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