Camp 13^th N.H.Vol^s

In the Rifle pitts

July 22^nd 1864

 

Dear Ari!

                        It is a splended day and I thought that I would write you a few lines to let you know how I am getting along out here in the rifle pits. I am setting here with my back up against the bank trying to write but my hand trembles so that I cant write worth a cent. I recieved your letter of the 17^th yesterday. you wanted to know how many Regt it took to make a corps. well it takes about 36 Regt! it takes from 3 to 5 Regts to make a Brigade, and usualy 3 Brigads makes a Division and 3 Divisions makes a Corps. what makes you want to know that for, are you going to take command of a Corps. (hay) 

 

What do the boys think about the five hundred thousand more troops that Abe has called for. I dont know but By will have to come out and help us yet. tell him to send a sub if he is drafted. You wanted to know who I am going to vote for (sausy girl) if any one askes me out here, I tell them who I have a mind to. I will answer you by asking you who you are going to vote for (hay). to be honest about it I will vote for the best man. you find out who the best man is, Ari, and let me know, will you. I want to see what kind of judgment you have got, in regard to Pollys ticks.

 

the 18^th Corps has not gorn to Baltimore but Gen. Baldy Smith has and that is what the story sprang from I suppose. Gen. Smith has been relieved from this command so we have got Gen Ord to command the 18^th Corps now. I dont know what Gen Smith was relieved for. 

 

Been to the beach ant you (did you get a pickle on your fork) you say there is no shells there. we have enough out here to make up for Chelsea Beach, but perhaps our kind of shells are not like yours, our kind of shells makes a big noies some times and crake all to piecs and some times hurt somebody. I dont think you would like to gether such shells as we have out here, do you. the balls are whistling over my head every minute almost. well let them shoot, thay cant hurt us a bit. I would like to show you our pitts. thay look like mice paths, only larger. Oh Dear I wish some of the boys would would send me some tobacco for I have not had any for a long time and I tell you it comes hard to go without tobacco out here. I some expect to get paid off when we go into camp and we shall go in to night. if I do I will / send it right home to Boston and if I dont get a chance to go to the express office myself you will have to pay the express bill when you get the mony. I hope we shall get some mony pretty soon for I do want a chew of tobacco aufully. it is poor stuff that we get out here but it is better then non. I have not heard from Sergt Morrison since I wrote you last. How is all the girls, give them my regards and tell them to keep up good courage for everything is going on lovely out here. what is left of us will be at home before long by the way things looks now. How is that great illox a sluming around the same as ever I suppose, just as if there was no war (by jolly that ball knocked the dirt into my face) give her my regards and also to By and all the rest of the boys and girls. Give my love to Elmer and ask him if he dont want to see his papa, if he dont his mama.

 

well I close, good day. From your affectionate husband

Serg^t S. B. Tarlton

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