Camp 13^th N.H. Vols.

Near Point of Rocks V^a

Sept 3^rd 1864

 

Dear Ari!

                        I will try and write you a few lines, to lett you know how I am getting along. I am well, although I had to tell the Serg^t Major that I was not very well so I could get a chance to write a few lines to you, for he wanted me to take charge of a squad of men and go out shoveling. I was out on picket yesterday. the Johnnys are very quiet here. we dont fire on either side, we stand up and look at eitch other. yesterday we we changed papers with them, so you see that we get along first-rate here. We had quite exciteing times here last night. the news come that Gen. Sherman had taken Atlanta. the Johnnys wanted to know what the news was, and some of the boys told them that M^cClellan was nomennated for President. thay seemed to be quite pleased. Dose Father think that Lincoln will be elected shure this fall. a great many of the Lincoln men out here think it is a little doubtful about his being elected. there is some men out here that would vote for the D—l if he would get them their discharge from the Army but I cant see it. not but what I want my discharge as bad as any one, but I cant see giveing the South every-thing just for the sake of my discharge, for I have only got a year to stop in the Army, unless I reenlist. You wanted me to get a furlough. Lord Ari! I could not get a furlough if it would save all the lives in Exeter. that is out of the question so dont say anything more about a furlough. after I have been out here another year, then I will begin to talk about a furlough. as long as you are all well at home, I am very well contented out here. dont think that I am homesick, although I would like to be at home as well as any one would. /

 

Oh! Ari! I will send you a pattern of our Corp badge. it is made of red flannel (that is the first Division is red) and the second Division is white and the 3^rd Division blue. I belong to the 1^st Division so mine is red with a figure one in the centre. the one represents the first Brigade. the 2^nd Brigade has a red badge with a figure two in the centre and so on, so you see that I belong to the 1^st Brigade, 1^st Division 18^th A. Corps. if you see any good ones there send me one will you. I will send you a shawl pin in the shape of our badge when I get paid off, that is if I can get one. we shall be paid off soon for six months. /

 

I have been trying to cut out a pattern of one of our badges but it is the darndest thing to cut out with nothing to do with that I ever see, but it will give you some idea how it should be made. it is a three leaf clover. you can make one as much better as you have a mind too. if  you see a soldier with one of them on his cap, if it is red he belongs to the 1^st Division 18^th A.C. Tell cousin Ann that I should like to see her very much. tell her to send her man of to war, then perhaps her health would be better ant that the way you done. (hay) /

 

Give my regards to her and all the rest of the folks. tell Elmer that papa will be at home pretty soon, say in about 13 months Give my love to him. I will write to Father the first chance that I can get, if I can get any paper to write on. it is to bad that Lieut Lamprey got killed, after he had served his time most out. I saw him a little while before the fight. well give my regards to all the folks, and write often,

 

Good day,       From

Your Affectionate husband

Serg't. S. B. Tarlton

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