Richmond, V^a

April 10^th /65.

           

My Dear Wife.

                                    I will try to write you a few lines to day but I dont know how I shall make out for we are all excitement. the Glorious news keeps coming in all of the time. Gen Lee surrenderd yesterday, himself and all of his force, and this morning the report is that Gen Johnston has also surrenderd, and I think it is true, and such booming of cannon as we had here this morning would do you good to hear. I tell you Ari, the boys are over joyed with the success of our Armies, and why should^nt thay be after fighting so long to put down this Rebellion, but it is about / over now Ari. Rebellion is plaid out. What do the Copperheads think of Gen Grant now Ari. do thay think that he is setting barking at Richmond yet "hay". Now Ari dont you worry any more about my haveing to go into Battle for I dont think that we shall have to fight any more this summer as we did last. it rains here to day and I am on guard at the Richmond Fredericksburg & Potomac Rail Road Depot, so I am setting in the office writeing to Ari. there is a band going past now playing and the street is full of people. how do you suppose I can write, hay. I tell you Ari, you never saw such joyful times as the boys are having here.

 

Well Ari, I havnt sent you money home yet. I will send it just as soon as the Express Co. opens an office here. / I will send your money to Father Smith at Exeter. perhaps I shall get a chance to send it tomorrow, if I can I will. I have talked with lotts of the people of this city and thay are very much supprised to see how well the Yankeys treat them. thay appear to be very glad that we have got into the city. we have got them pretty well furnished with rations so that none are in a starveing condition "I guess".

 

Some of the boys think that thay will get home by the fourth of July but I tell them that I am looking to the 20^th of September before I expect to go home. well Ari one thing is plaid out with us "that is fighting." well I dont suppose you want to hear any more about the Army so ask Han if she has had one of them things lately. / tell her that I have not since I left Boston but there is plenty of chances here to get them if any one is a mind to try, but I dont have any-thing to do with them "do you believe it."

 

where shall I direct this letter. I wish you would write and tell me for I dont know. How is Elmer. have you heard from him lately. Give my love to him when you see him. oh. Ben says you shall have that picture now "shure" after we get things stratened out. well I will close Give my love to all the folks and write just as often as you can, Good day.

                                   

From your Husband in

Richmond,

Serg^t S. B. Tarlton

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