Camp Bowers Portsmouth V^a           

July 15^th /63

 

Dear Ari

                        I suppose you are worrying about me befor this but I have done as I agread to that is to write every chance I could get. we arived back to our old camp day before yesterday after a march of about 175 miles on our two legs. we had an auful hard march God only knows how we ever got back so many of us as did. I saw the the poor fellows fall by the side of the road from the effects of the sun and die. it looked wors then fighting to see them fall in that way. Oh I liked to have forgot to tell you that I / am sick but not very I feel better to day. yesterday I was not able to write. I cant write but little to day. when I get better I will give you full detail of our march. have you got your last alotment if you have I wish you would send me som mony. if I had had some on the march that night that I got your letter about the backed beans I would had a good supper. we had marched 15 miles that day and what do you think I had for supper a cup of coffee and had'nt eat any thing all day we had got out of rations the day before I laughed that night there was a boy come up to me and says steve you give me 2 or 3 / swallows of your coffee and I will give you 2 cookeys so I shered with him and I made out quite a supper

 

O dear I feel weak and I must close. if you send me any mony put it in a letter and direct as usual and it will come safe. give my love to Elmer and all the rest of the folks

 

Good day

S. B. Tarlton

 

P.S.

what ales me I done more then my constitution would allow

S.B.T.

SOURCES