Hilton's Head,            

Beaufort District, S.C. Dec. 15. 1861

 

I received yours of the 3^d Inst. on the 13^th, in my box, both of which I was glad to get. it seems that my boots not being done was the cause of the delay. I was sorry my gloves did not come as I need them very much on guard some of the cold nights we have here as the weather varies here from such weather as you get in July to what you have in November; to-day for instance is as warm as June tomorrow if we have a NE wind probably the weather will be nearly if not quite as cold as you have at home.

 

I was sorry also that the matches did not come as they are a very scarce and a very necessary article especially to smokers / but I suppose the Expressmen might have objected as some R.R. Companies will not carry them over their roads, but as we have got a sutler perhaps we shall be able to get some if not I shall have to send for some more and get them too; I think I shall have to send for another box but not at present.

 

I should have liked to have been at home Thanksgiving day especially as Aunt Harriet was there; we had a very good time here as I believe I have told you before, tho' we did not have near as much as nor so good as I should have had at home. what I missed most was the mince pies, if there was any way to get some out here I should like to have you send / some out in the next box you send, but one of the band had some sent to him about Thanksgiving time and they were all spoilt when they got here.

 

My health has been very good since we have been here and so has that of most of the Regiment tho' a good many have got colds and seven have died since we have been here but they were mostly men who were in poor health before they came here; some of the Regiments have lost more but I think it is more in the men not taking care of themselves than anything in the climate. I have not heard of any cases of chills and fever except men who have had it before; I think that the company Officers should make those that are slack or lazy take care of themselves a / little better than some of them do, but some of the Officers dont seem to think of nothing but taking care of N^o 1—

 

John Bryant was very glad to get his gloves, said they were just what he wanted, but Capt. Wilbur said he had plenty of socks, tho't he should have to sell some of them if we had to move soon, but the story is now that we are going to stay, some say one month, some three, and some say all winter: but we may go off this week or next or any other time when we are ordered.

 

I had the good luck to go up to Beaufort a week ago yesterday. I went out in the river to row a boat. we carried one load of goods to the Steamer Belvidere and when we carried the second one, they were just starting and told us to get on board and they towed our boat astern. Beaufort is I should think about as large as Concord N.H. and is the handsomest place I was ever in. the houses are all two or three stories high with a basement, mostly brick and painted some light color. in fact it has the appearance of being inhabited by rich people altogether.             

 

Direct to John W. Clement

Co B 3^d NHV

Care of D D Tompkins

Via New York NY

 

To Mr John Clement                                                  

Exeter N.H.                                                     

                                                                                                

[top interior margin upside down]

Tell Aunt Harriet I shall try to answer her letter as soon as possible JWC

SOURCES