Suffolk Va      March 31 1863

           

Dear Ari

                        I received your letter of the 22^nd in due time and was glad to hear that you are all so well. I never was better in my life. you wanted to know where I am and where we are going and how long we are a going to stop. we are here at Suffolk now but God only knowes where we are going and where we shall stop for I dont. I dont care where we go I had as lives go to one place as another. we are going to be paid of this week for four months I suppose if we do I will get my picture and send to you if we dont move right a way. the weather to day is cold and rainey. I guess you think we have funny / weather out here. we do I tell you, one day it is warm and the next it will be cold enought to freez a fellow. our Regt went out on picket the other day and thay brought in lots of peach blossoms and other kinds of May flowers. I wish I had one I would send it to you but I did not go out on picket so I have not got any to send. I am a privaligd soldier I tell you. I do just about as I have a mind to. the Capt favors me because I have always been on duty and never been on the sick list. what do the folks say about my being sick of soldiering. I wish you could look into our camp and you would not think that I was sick of it. as to going into / Battle I dont think any more about it then I do of going out on Battallion drill. the folks will say I dont beleive that. I dont care if thay dont if I could talk to you one hour you would beleive it. it is so cold that I cant write untill I warm my fingers.

 

I have just been into tent No 5 on second street and had a game of cards. we are having bully times out here I tell you tell Rosamond Clough that her Father is well and tough as an indian. The rebels here on Black Water River are getting about plaid out. day before yesterday there were 40 of them come into our lines and gave them selves up thay said thay could not get enought to eat. all / that thay had got to eat for the last 2 months was 3 oz pork and one pint of flouer a day. rether short that I should think. dinner is ready now we are going to have Beans. I dont like them you know. (after dinner.) I have eat so many Beans I cant get up of off my ass so I will try to finish this letter. it is a cold stormy day and the boy all have to stay in their quaters. I shod the Col and the Majors horses yesterday I have no other news to tell you so I will close give my love to all. tell Elmer that Papa has seen a little darkey that will sute him first rate I guess Give my love to Father & Mother Uncle Daniel and all the rest

           

good day                    

Corp S. B. Tarlton

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