Fort Burnham,           

Chapins Farm V^a.

Nov. 4^th /64

 

Dear Ari

                        You see by the heading of this letter that we have changed the name of Fort Harrison to Burnham after Gen. Burnham that was killed when we took the Fort. we are not in the fort now but a little to the right of it, in a good position. Night before last we were turned out and ordered to have three days cooked rations and be ready to march at a moments notice, so up I got cross as a bear and traveled about a half of a mile in the rain (for it rained like the D—l) to let the cook know it, so he could go to cooking. (Clough is our cook) Lord, how dark it was. well I got back at last after recieveing a pretty severe cussing from Clough for calling him / up so soon after he had gone to bed. Thinks I, I will turn in again and wait for deveopements, so I did, but it was not long befor I heard the Adjutant comming. says he Sergt. I want a Corpl and one man for picket. the order is countermanded and we have not got to march to night. all of us felt quite pleased to think that we had not got to go, but feel sorry now, for thay took three N.Y. Regts out of our Brigade, and one out of the 2^nd Brig. and sent them where, where do you suppose thay sent them, why thay sent them home to vote, so thay say. wasnt that pretty good for them. (hay) Ah: the mail has come, and I have got a letter. it is from Ari to. I must read it before I write any more.

 

I here you are going to little river. after so long a time, I hope you will / have a good time. I wrote to you day before yesterday and directed it to Exeter. then Father thought if that shell had exploded I should not have finished my letter. there was no danger of that for we on screwed the cap and took out the powder. you say that you are glad to hear that deserters are comming into our lines. then you wont be glad to of this, we lost four last night out of our Regt and two out of the second N.H. all substitutes, and all forerners. let them go, their room is better then their company. that is the way with the subs. I dont want to see any more out here while I have to stay. send Volunteers or no body. if you are down to Little River when you get this, tell Father & Mother that I am all right, never was better in my life good courage, plenty to eat, and a good house to live in, and any Gods quantity / of clothing have to though it away sometimes. what more can any one want, every-thing is lovely to day but we dont know what a day may bring forth. Give my love to Father & Mother, tell them not to worry about me. My regards to all the folks. I wrote to Jerome yesterday. I did not tell him one half that I would like to. I wish Father had come out with Uncle Lovering. I would liked to have showed him around. tell him to come now it aint to late. How is Elmer a good boy I guess he is. tell him papa is comming home pretty soon, my love to him.

           

Except the love and best wishes

of your Husband in the Army of the James. Good day,

                       

Yours &c.

Sergt S. B. Tarlton

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