Camp Gillmore

Near Portsmouth Va

Nov 1^st 1863

 

Dear Ari:

                        I have just received your letter and will try to answer it if I can keep warm enough. it is quite cold here although it is not so cold as you have it. we have not got our tents fixed so as to have a fire yett. I am well as usual. Yes give my respects to the folks down to Rye. I got the Ballot yesterday that come quick enough you say that the people are getting discouraged about the war it has lasted so long Why in thunder dont thay come out and help end the war and not stop at home untill thay are drafted and then pay 3 or 400 dollars / to get out of it and then growl because it lasts so long. lett it last 6 years or 60 I hope it wont end untill thay are all cleaned out. then some folks dont see any prospect of this wars ever ending. Oh shugar

 

I most wish that the copperheads at the North were in the rebel army. I think that we could whip the whole bunch of them. the prospect never looked better to me then it dose now. dont fret there is better times a comming just the first thing you will know you will here me about 5 oclock in the morning at your door calling out to you and Elmer fall in for roll call lively (hay) 

 

Monday morning Nov 2^nd

it is quite cold this morning the ground is white with frost for the second time this fall. we are going to have a Co. drill to day for the first time since last April it will be a new thing to commence to drill again. tell Elmer that Papa will be at home in the spring I guess. I hope he wont be so busy the next time he writs to papa so he can write a longer letter. you wanted to know if I thought the war would end this winter. I think there is a good prospect of its closeing within one year from this time if it dont let it last another year. dont give / up the ship. It is now 12 oclock and I have just come in from Co drill. this afternoon we have a Battalion drill so you see that I have to write when I can get a chance. the 4^th R.I. and 15^th Ct. Regts and two Regts of Cavalry are to march this afternon with 10 days rations. I dont know where thay are going. we may have to go but I think not for three of our Cos are on picket and two in a fort so it leaves us only 5 Co to go with. I must close give my love to all. good day S. B. Tarlton

 

[upside down margin]

 

if we have to march I will write a few lines before we go S.B.T.

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