Stephen B. Tarlton to Arianna E. Tarlton, 4 June 1864
White House Landing Va
June 4th 1864
 
Dear Ari:
                        I thought I would try and write you a few lines to let you know that I am all right for if you should see the papers and see my name in them as one of the wounded perhaps you might think it was worse and then you would worry about me, but I will tell you all about it. we left Bermuda Hundred last Sunday for White House Landing in the steamer Star Light, and arrived here Monday night. tuesday morning we took up our line of march for the Army / of the Potomac and arrived there wednesday afternoon. we had been there about two howers when we had to go into the fight. we made a charge on the Rebels about sun set on wednesday June 1st when I got hit very slight over the left ear, with a peice of a shell. now dont worry Ari, for it is nothing at all compaired with some of them. we lost 85 in that one charge out of our Regt, and God only knowes how many since. when I was hit, it knocked me senceless on the field, but after I come to my sences I started forward again and went about a rod and fell. then the Major ordered me to the rear. then I thought the rascals would kill me before I could get into the woods. / there was a shell exploded under my feet, and knocked me pizzell end up, but did not hurt me. well I went back to the Hospital and washed my head and stoped there all night. the next morning I started back for my Regt. I walked about a half mile, when I meet our Doc Morrill, and he says where are you going and I told him and he says you ant going you must go down to to the White house, so I am here in the Hospital with just as good care taken of me as can be. I shall be all right in a short time so dont worry. the place where we had the fight is called Cole Harber. we lost two killed in our Co: Corpl Warburton of Ports. and Wm T. Mathews of Rye. two Subs wounded, and Judson / P. Randell of New Castle was wounded in the hand pretty bad, that is all that I can tell you now. I have not had a letter from you this two weeks, but I expect to get a lot when I go to the Regt. I went to the Christian Commission last night and got my supper. it is one of the best things that we have in the army. thay give us any thing that we want. I feel tired and I will close give my love to little Elmer when that shell struck me, the first thing that I thought of was Ari and Elmer. give my regards to Han & By and all the rest. now dont worry about me will you Ari write often,
                                   
good day
from your most affectionate
Husband,
Sergt S. B. Tarlton
10454
DATABASE CONTENT
(10454)DL1605.051153Letters1864-06-04

Tags: Battle of Cold Harbor, Death (Military), Family, Fighting, Food, Hospitals, Injuries, Marching, Newspapers, Ships/Boats

People - Records: 2

  • (3685) [writer] ~ Tarlton, Stephen B.
  • (3686) [recipient] ~ Tarlton, Arianna E. ~ Smith, Arianna E.

Places - Records: 1

  • (259) [origination] ~ White House, New Kent County, Virginia

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SOURCES

Stephen B. Tarlton to Arianna E. Tarlton, 4 June 1864, DL1605.051, Nau Collection