Camp 13^th N.H. Vols.

Near Bermuda Hundred V^a

May 28^th 1864.           

 

Dear Ari.

                        As I have a few leisure moments I will try and write you a few lines to let you know that I am well as usual we have not had any fighting since I wrote you last. we moved camp yesterday about 2 miles for what purpose I dont know, some say that we are going to cross the James River to join Grants Army, but whether it is so or not I dont know. the 3^rd N.H. is here. I have seen lots of the boys from Exeter and Hampton. Lieut Lamprey looks about the same as he use to only one shade darker. James Carlile was wounded in the leg / slightly. Eldredge Palmer and David Perkins of Hampton were killed in the fight we had at Drurys Bluff on the 16^th, thay lost very heavy in that fight. every thing seems to be quiet at the front except now and then a picket fires at somebody. if thay ant carefull thay will hurt somebody.

 

Oh! Ari: Rev. Mr. Patterson of Portsmouth N.H. is out here. he made a speach to the Battalion yesterday. he also bought two barrells of cookeys and give to the boys and when the news boy come he got a lot of news papers and gave to the boys. he is going to Baltimore to buy some things for the N.H. troops. he says that he has got $2,000 to spend for us (bully for him.)

 

well Ari how do you feel to day / in good spirets I hope. keep up good courage for there is a good time a coming. you would be supprised Ari to see how well the boys are contented when thay have to go through such hardships as thay do, no one complains a bit. Mr. Patterson said he was very much supprised to find them in such good spirets.

 

Oh Ari: by jolly. Ill bet I have had something to eat that you havnt had this spring. all most a week ago the Capt. Sergt Morrison and myself had some Green Peas. Ah, didnt I lay them into me (hay) the Col gave them to us. I am on guard to day as usual. well I am good for it. how is the weather at home Ari. it is very warm here. if you could see me now you would think that I was a smoked yankey, I guess. / for I am awfuly taned up. I have just sent your Father an old Richmond news paper that I found in a house out here. it is most a year old, but I thought it might be interesting to him to see what cussed lies thay tell. when you write him tell him about it will you, he may think it strange because it is so old. Sergt Morrison wants to know how Myra is and says, tell her to send her picture to him, and Winn says the same by Miss Johnson. How is little Elmer. I would like to see him very much this fine day. give my love to him the same to your self, my regards to all the folks, good day from

 

your affectionate Husband

Sergt S. B. Tarlton

 

P.S. I never was so supprised in my life as I was when I read your letter stateing that Benj. Wright was dead. tell Carie that I little thought it was the last time that I should see him in this world when I was at home. I have seen hundreds leave this world since I saw him, but I never had any such feelings as I did when I read your letter saying that he was dead. Carrie must feel very bad I know, but she is not alone. only think of the thousands that are mourning for their husbands and Fathers and children. since the late Battles, when I see a man killed by the side of me I hardly think of it, but when I hear of the death of a / friend at home it makes me feel very bad. tell Carrie not to mourn any more then she can help, and keep up good courage, and every thing will come out right in the end. give my regards to her and to Aunt Harriett and all the rest.

                                                                                               

Yours in love

Sergt S. B. Tarlton

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