Camp 13^th N.H. Vol^s

Chaffins Farm V^a.

Dec. 27^th 1864

 

Dear Ari:

                        I received your letter written on the 18^th in^st some time last week and will commence to answer it by wishing you a Merry Christmas and a happy New Year. I should have written to you Christmas day but I was on picket. you see that, that was the way that I spent my Christmas, on picket in the rain. I had to stay out there all day and all night and it did rain and it was just as dark as you please. it was so dark, I told the boys that I was going to bring them in some Johnnys in the morning. but thay did not come in just where I was / but thay come in on my right and left. there was two come in on the next post to me on my right and four on my left. I should thought one of them might have come in on my post, should^nt you Ari. Well I got relieved yesterday about noon and a tireder sleeper hungreyer wetter and crosser boy then I, you would not want to see. but I had a good dinner and then I felt better, and I suppose you will think that I changed my clothes after getting wet. oh no, no, no. I have got on the same clothes. I can change my shirts and drawers and socks, but other clothing we cant have only one suit. yes, we can have as much as we have a mind to, but we can^t carry them when we march. that's what the matter with the Horse. so we have to keep our pants and coat on wet or dry. that is one thing that / makes the soldiers get sick so often. but I reckon Father & Mother put some good tough stock into me for I can stand it like a mule. but I did get a little bit of cold the other night and my head aches to day, so you must not expect much of a letter. Oh! Ari, Glorious news we have, and the master cheering. Gen. Sherman has taken Savannah with 150 big guns. aint that good news and the report is that Gen Buttler has taken Fort Fisher near Wilmington, N.C. I could write you more but before you get this letter you will hear all about it so it will be useless for me to write it.

 

            Ari: will you be so kind, and condesending stoope so low and be so bending as not to stick the postage stamp on to the envlope that you send to me in your letters for I am liable to get the envelope dirty or wet / then I loose the stamp dont ye know. is it any more truble to put it in the letter then it is to stick it on the envlope "hay".

 

Uncle Samuel give us some sheep or lamb for our Christmas dinner and some grapes too. I dont mean grape shott but grapes such as grows on trees. thay were nice to. how is Elmer. I suppose he is a great big boy by this time. is he big enough to come in out of the Draft. how are you conscripts. oh just come in out of the Draft. 300,000 more thats all for this time. how do thay feel about the Draft in Little River. tell them not to be frightened for rebellion is going down. Give my regards to every body and I will close

 

good day, from your Husband

in the Army of the James

Sarg^t S. B. Tarlton

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