In the trenches                       

Near Petersburg V^a       

Aug 4^th 1864

 

Dear Ari!

                        How do you do this hot day. well I hope but perhaps it it is not so hot there as it is here, it is awful hot here. I tell you, my health is pretty good now. yesterday I did not feel very well but to day I feel much better. I got kinder played out the other day in the fight that was going on, when we blew up the fort. I suppose you have heard all about it before this time. if you have, dont worry about me, for I did not get hit. I mean before you get this. I tell you Ari it was a great sight to see that fort when it blew up and then see the 9^th Corps charge on the line. the 18^th Corps was a support for the 9^th Corps, so we had a chance to see the whole 

 

I wont write the details of the fight because it is in the papers, and beside it would take me a week to write it, but if you or Father (I mean) Father Smith want to ask any questions about the fight or the fortifycations around Petersburg I would be very much pleased to answer them. I think I had ought to know something about them, for we have been here long enough to. there was six tons of powder under the fort that was blown up, only think of it Ari. what do you suppose the rebs thought was comeing when that went up. I was looking right at it when it went up. it threw up lumps of earth as large as your barn. I should think a 100 yds I saw 8 rebs that were blown close over to our line, 300 yds or more. I dont know how many rebs there were in the fort at the time, nor how much artillery. some say there was 14 pieces. But Ari the worst of it is we got defeted. / You see, the way of it was, as soon as the fort went up the 9^th corps charged and took the works. then there was another line to be taken, so another line of Battle was formed, whitch was composed of one Brigade of Negros with the rest and in thay went on the charge but by this time the rebs had massed their troops. so thay stood the charge and charged back on our folks our fellows fighting like dogs all but the negros and thay brock and run. what made them do so I cant tell. the negros say that their officers got frightend and ordered them to fall back, and I guess that is about right too. by the negros giveing away the rest had to fall back or get flanked. Ah: Ari. I wish that our Brigade had been there insted of the negros, not that I want to fight so bad. Oh no, but because we would held the line or been killed or taken prisoners and had / Petersburg before this time. the 6^th 9^th 11^th 10^th 4^th and 13^th N.H. troops were in the scrape, a good lot of N.H. I think dont you. we lost only one man wounded. the 11^th was most all taken prisoners, the 4^th 6^th and 9^th lost very heavy. well enough of this. I suppose by the time you get this you will be in Exeter along with your little boy. I would like to be there too, then I could tell him all about the war. I have not got a letter from you for over a week. we go to the rear tonight, for two days. every thing is quiet along the line. how long it will last I cant tell. Give my regards to all the folks, and tell Father that Grant is after the Jonnys like a picked stick. he will hear from him again before long in another way. well I must close Give my love to Elmer, and all the rest. Good day.

 

From your affectionate husband,

Serg^t S. B. Tarlton /

 

[overleaf]

 

Camp 13^th N.H Vols

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