Camp 13^th N.H. Vols.

In the woods between

Petersburg & Richmond.

 

Dear Ari:

                        If you had known Ari where I was when I got your letter of the 8^th perhaps you would worryed about me, but I was glad you did not. but I am all safe and sound. I was lying in a Rebel rifle pit when one of our boys gave me the letter it was one that we had taken the day before. I had just time to read your letter, when the Rebs opened on us with grape and shell and musketry. I tell you if there wasnt some smoke I dont know. well we / pitched into them like mad men killing them by hundreds. we took some prisoners and thay said we were D—m good shot for we had killed most all of two Regts then. I shot away 60 rounds of amunition in about ¾ of an hour. Ah: didnt I spot the D—m raskals, but the bugers got reinforced from Richmond, so we had to fall back but the 13^th was orderd to fall back four times before we would. Gen Brooks said Oh if I only had some more N.H. troops. I thought that was good for us. our loss in killed and wounded was about 30, very light. the 3^rd N.H. lost between 2 and 300 in killed and wounded. 

 

Ari, I must make this letter short for I have not time to write. I suppose you will see the particulars of the fight in the papers better then I can write it. all that I can say is that it was a D—l of a fight. we was fighting five days right strate along. dont be alarmed Ari, for there is a good time a coming. Oh I like to forget to tell you that Co K never lost a man. all other Co^s lost a few. I dont think we shall fight again at presant. thay will lett us rest a few days. the weather is warm here, corn and wheat is up a right smart distance I reckon. I got a letter from Emma Jenness yesterday. she said she hoped / that I was not in the big Battles that was going on, but it happened so that I was. how is Elmer. I would like to see the little rascal. tell him that papa has been shooting rebels this time in earnest. well I must close. give my regards to all the folks. tell By not to be affraid of the draft. tell Han that it is the Da—mst road to Rickmond that I ever saw, I have been trying this 20 months to get there and not there yet. Ari now write often, if I wont. I will write every chance that I can get. all love to you and Elmer. my regards to all the rest from your affectionate husband                                      

Sergt. S. B. Tarlton

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