Hilton Head Feb. 8. 1862.

 

Yours of the 28^th ult. I rec^d on the 5^th inst and one from Aunt Harriet dated Jan. 16. a few days before also one from George Eaton dated Jan 19. about the same time and last but not least, day before yesterday I got one from Carter giving a little fuller description of "that box" than you did. I was a little bit surprised at the "magnificent proportions" of said box as I didn't send for any such one nor did you hint at such a thing. an article in the Ballot says that it weighs 216 pounds. I have not got it yet but suppose it is on board the "Atlantic" as Carters letter dated Jan. 30. came by her, but one of our Co. has been to the express office and says none of the express freight will come on shore till Monday; I was in hopes it would come today as before Monday some / of the stuff may spoil. Good con. you sent. I hope to hear a good account of your cotton crop next fall, if I am not at home to see it, perhaps I ought to have sent some sand for it to grow in as it grows in sand here, but perhaps it will grow in any kind of soil, if not there is plenty of sand in Exeter that is just as good probably—

 

I have seen Uncle Patterson three times since he has been here, the last time was last Monday, this is Saturday. he was well and in good spirits then. I suppose if anything was the matter he would send me word as their camp is in plain sight of ours and only about half a mile off. I am sure I should send word to him if anything happened to me. I think I wrote to you that I had seen Uncle Thomas for the second time about four weeks ago he was in good health then, didn't know where he should go next. I don't know where he is now. /

 

There is not much news here; a week ago we tho't our forces would have had Fort Pulaski and perhaps Savannah by this time but I think we haven't done it yet.

John Head is better, Jere Weeks and W^m Morrison are unwell—not very sick.

 

As it is time for Company drill I will close for the present

                                                                                   

Direct to J W Clement

Co. B 3^d N.H.V.

Hilton Head, Port Royal S.C.

 

P.S. C. Warren Colbath has joined Hamilton's Battery (formerly Sherman's) together with three others from our Co. Jackson, Henry and Reynolds; the three last are not Exeter boys; Warren is Joseph Colbath's son, he was well day before yesterday and in our camp. The men in this Regiment are most all tired of this place and I think would be willing to do a little fighting if they could get the chance to get away. 

 

If it is fair weather tomorrow the 47^th N.Y. Regiment will leave, which makes the third Regiment that has left our Brigade, though the 46^th N.Y. has been replaced by the 55^th Penn. The 46^th N.Y. is on Tybee Island, the 48^th N.Y. is somewhere in that vicinity and I think the 47^th will go to the same region. This leaves our Reg^t, the 8^th Me. and the 55^th Penn. in our Brigade

 

            It has rained part of the afternoon and nearly all of the evening—thunder showers.

 

8 P.M. This is a regular ladies' letter most all postscript        J.W.C.

 

P.P.S.S. Our box is on board the Atlantic and will not probably come on shore till Monday.                                                                         

J.W.C.

 

"Your Uncle" is a figurative expression and means I, myself or me according to circumstances

 

Feb. 9. Watson saw Uncle Thomas yesterday he was well

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