Fort Harrison             

Chapins Farm, V^a

Oct 18^th /64

 

Dear Ari

                        I will try and write you a few lines, and it will be but a few, for I am just as buisey as can be all of the time. I received the package this morning, one towel, suspenders, tobacco, and paper. if I could have got the tobacco before I should been glad of it, more so then just now, for we have been paid off to day, so I can buy some now. I will send you a few cts to-morrow by express, but you will have to pay the bill at that end of the route, for I shant go to the express office my-self 

 

I told you the name of this Fort was Morris but it was a mistake the rebel name is Fort Harrison. it is a large fort. we took 11 big guns in it (from the rebs) you can guess how big it is. we have got five Regt in it to do garrison duty and it keeps us on guard every other day allmost Deserters keep coming in. one strapping great fellow just come in. Ari I suppose you are frightened most to death about me ant you, hay, now dont worry one bit about me, for perhaps we shant have to fight any more this winter but if we do you can make up your mind that the N.H. troops will go in right smart I reckon. /

Genl. Buttler has just been up to see us. he thinks every-thing of our Division. Gen Stanard commanded our Division when we took this fort and when the rebs charged on us he felt very proud of us, we fought so hard. he stood right behind our Regt. when he lost his right arm, and what do you suppose he said, after we took him of off the field, he says, who couldn't afford to loose an arm to command a Division like mine. quite a puff for us, I thought. I cant begin to tell you all that I would like to about the fight. I tell you, we had to get up and get, I reckon. 

 

Oct 19^th

I will send to your Father, one Hundred dollars, to day, for you, by express. you will have to pay for the expressing when you get it. I thought it might go more direct to send it to him then it would to you. I have been paid of for six months. they owed me $123.18 cts but I owed a little, so I cant send you but one hundred dollars this time and have any left to buy my tobacco with. write me as soon as you get the mony and if you dont get it. give my love to Elmer and tell him that papa will be at home pretty soon, say in about 11 months. my regards to all the folks, and write often, from your affectionate Husband

Sergt S. B. Tarlton /

 

I have just got your letter of the 14^th

 

Gen Ord is Corps commander, and was wounded. Gen Stanard Division Com^dr and was wounded. Col Stevenes Brigade Com^dr and was wounded. Gen Marstin is in Com of the Corps at presant since Ord was wounded S.B.T.

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