Camp 13^th N.H. Vols

Near Portsmouth Va

Dec 14^th /63

 

Dear Ari:

                        I dont feel very well this morning. I have got a bad cold and you know if any one is sick out here he has to go to the Doc to get excused from duty, but I am not sick enough for that. but our ordley says if I go out on duty to day he will put me under arrest. so you see he has excused me and I am trying to write a few lines to you. our Col went home yesterday to recrute for the Regt. and I dont believe he will come back again to the Regt. he made a speach to us saturday night and I thought by the way he talked / that he would not come back again. the boys feell very bad to lose him. he is a bully man. he was presented with a pipe that cost 30 dollars by the sutlers of the Regt. Mr Holmes Sergt. Morrison our ordley and Sergt. Winn playd possom on one of our boys last night, if it was sunday night. the fellow come into our tent and was blowing about his mustache and thay says if you dont look out you will lose them. well he kept on a blowing about them so thay took him down on the floor and cut of his mustach. I never had any thing to do with it. I I only held the candle you know that I would not do any such a thing as that

 

Oh: Ari: I will send you some virses that was written by Mr Geo. H. Throop of Co. K 13^th N.H. Vols. he wrote them and sung them to the Cols quarters one night and some of the officers got them printed in the Old dominion a paper printed at Norfolk and Portsmouth I would like to have you keep them if you will. I dont know what you will think of them but I think thay are good. I told Mr. Wintworth what Mother said about the picture and he said she should have one when we got paid off. he sent his love to Matha and all the rest of the girls 

 

Ari: I dont want you to think that I am very sick for it is not so. I feel better this after noon.

 

dont fret Ari about Elmers learning bad things for there is better times coming, when I come home we will do as we have a mind to. I guess you will think that I have altered some in behaviour the army is a good place to make a man steady. tell Elmer to be a good boy and papa will come home pretty soon give my regards to all the folks. write often

 

good day                                                        

 

yours &c

                                                                        S. B. Tarlton /

P.S. I have just been reading those verses over. you keep them and when you think that I dont care any thing about you then you get them and read them then you will think differantly what do you say when you meet a soldier. (how are you soldier) some say that the folks at home dont think much of a soldier, is that so. if it is I should stay in the house if I should go home on a furlough.

 

well enough of this. it is most tattoo that meens roll call.

 

so be a good Gal and write often.      

 

Yours &c:

Corpl. S. B. Tarlton /

 

[note on verso in another hand] Mad Sleeper told us that Hugh was up to the depot did you get them safe. I have had my picture taken this afternoon. I am going in the mill to work tomorrow.                                                                                    

Carrie Smith

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