Camp 13^th N.H. Vol^s.

Near Portsmouth V^a

April 4^th /64

 

Dear Ari

                        As I have nothing to do to day and you wanted me to write often I thought I would spend this afternoon in writeing a few lines to one that is dearer to me then anything else in this world. I have nothing new to write however, that will interest you much. I will tell you about the boys that have gorne into the Navy. we had four that started this morning out of our Co. and one of them was Sergt Welch, that little Sergt that was in the Depot when we went down to Exeter. he has gorne, and as soon as he / started the Capt reduced him to the ranks. then the Capt went over to the Col and got him to make me a Sergt. and he did and also dated it back to the first of March, so I shall get 17 dollars a month from the 1^st of March dont you see. Now I want you to make me a set of Chevrons with three stripes. I will send you the pattern so you can make them just like it, and also a piece of an old stripe. I want them the collor that this was when it was new, and the same width. put them 5/16 of an inch apart, and have them even and nice. where the stripes come to a point have it a point like the / pattern. have the ground work dark blue like the strips that you sent me to put on my pants. leave enough on the top and bottom of the ground work and we can cut it to sute ourselves. now make a nice set will you, for there is a greatdeal of notice taken of them by the officers, and it helps a fellow to get a good place some times. look at Sergt Winn he looks neat always and thay have got him down to headquarters. I would like to have them as soon as you can get them made. if you make a good pair Winn wants a pair. he says to me to day why dont you write for those Chevrons. I says I havnt got any / postage stamp. is that the reason says he, well take this says he, and handed me a three cent stamp and a two dollar bill. pay me when you get ready. it come very handy just now. if you havnt got any mony I shant expect you to send them, for it will be about a month before I can send you any. write me where you want me to send your mony to when I do send it. to you, or to Exeter. I am getting short of paper so you must not look for letters from me so often.

 

well I must close give my love to all the folks. send it to Elmer when you write. (Now mind and make a good pair of Chevrons) good day from your affectionate husband

Sergt. S. B. Tarlton.

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