Camp Bowers Near Portsmouth Va

May 29^th /63

           

Dear Ari

                        I will try to write you a few lines to let you know that I still live. we are in camp in the same place we were when I wrote you last. it is a first rate a place. no rebels to trubbel us but we prepairing to receive them when thay see fitt to truble us by building forts and corderoy roads. we do no drilling at all we have built two forts and commenced the third one. well I must go up to the sutlers to get a pencil to write with for I have lost a good one.

 

I have just got back and eat my supper. our Regt has got no sutler and I am glad of it so I had to go up to the 4^th / Rhodeisland Regt for thay have a sutler. and I was going to tell you that our Division head quarters is moveing down here from Suffolk. I meet the waggontrain. it was just about a mile long all army waggons and thay kicked up a dust I tell you. our Brigadier Generals name is George W. Getty and he is a bully man to. he is all fight. you did not tell me what a coperhead is. I went down to Portsmouth and Norfolk the other day thay are quite large places a most all brick buildings.

 

Lord I dont know what to write I write so often I dont get any news. I am well and hearty can eat all my / rations. we have first rate times out here evnings we have fiddling and danceing. I danced the other night a contra dance it went pritty well all but the ladys thay were rether scatering. we live like heathen out here. we have green peas and strawbury icecreams and pies cakes and every thing that is good. that is if you have got any mony.

 

the women (white) come in to camp in the morning and set their tables with all of thees nice things and then the officers go into it and we poor d—ls stand with our mouths open like young robbins. /

 

I received your letters one with mony and one with the picture of some little boy. I guess it was Elmers. he has grown very much I think sence I saw him. tell Elmer he must send papa something for a birthday presant. my birthday is the 6^th day of next month. tell him papa will send him something the 4^th of July if he can get a chance.

 

you had better keep your mony for we shall get paid of I suppose some time but I dont know when.

 

When you send me any thing direct to Stephen B Tarlton

Co K 13 Regt N.H. Vol

Washington D.C. It dont make any differance where I am I shall get it all right.

 

give my love to all the folks   good day

S. B. Tarlton

 

P.S. I am going to send my Valentine home to you to keep for I am afraid I shall lose it I will send it when I send this. keep it safe for I may want it again S.B.T.

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