Hilton Head March 25. 1862

 

Yours of the 16^th inst was rec^d last eve, just after returning from a five days expedition. It was not so hard a one as the last, though we came much nearer having a little brush with the enemy, but they made their legs do duty instead of their arms, which probably made it much safer for us, but as they were horseback, and as not even our Officers had their horses with them we could hardly get within gunshot of them.

 

We started last Wednesday (19^th) afternoon and marched to Seabrook. there were about 500 of us being parts of nine companies Co. K being left in camp as guard and quite a number from other companies including the sick and those that were on guard the day we left. Co. D. went as boatmen, so I got out of it, which I was very glad to do, as so far as my experience goes I had rather go into a battle than help row a boatload / of soldiers five or six days, especially when they crowd them so full that there is hardly any chance to row. At Seabrook we got into the boats and rowed up to Pope's Plantation where we arrived at about eight o'clock in the evening. After it had been raining about half an hour they managed to march us into some negro houses, barns &c and there we got what sleep we could till three o'clock Thursday morning when we got into the boats and went up to within a mile and a quarter of Bluffton a small village on the main land, all but Co's A. and F who landed several miles below where we did and routed the Rebel pickets at two posts. As soon as we had all got fairly landed Lieut. Col. Jackson who commanded the expedition sent Co. E. out skirmishing before they came back they captured a corporal and three privates. While they were gone the rest of us stayed near where we landed. while we were there two men on horseback came out of the woods, probably to see what we were going to do. The first / salute they got was from a piece of artillery which I forgot to mention—belonging to the 3^d R.I. Battery—in the shape of a shell which sent them off some faster than they came They then fired two shot into the woods after them, but as they were out of sight, probably with not much effect. In about half an hour we left for "Bulls Island" nearly opposite, where we took up our quarters in the negro huts and corn barns of Col. E. M. Seabrook, Lieut. Col. Jackson taking his quarters at the mansion. Co. B. about sixty strong, with Lieuts Ayer and Fogg occupied a corn barn, and loft about half full of beans for sleeping apartments and a negro hut opposite as cook house and officers quarters. On Friday Co. B. did guard duty while the rest went on a scout on "Savage Island". On Saturday having got another piece of artillery, we all—except a small guard from Co. C. started for Bluffton, where we had heard there was a small Rebel force One piece of artillery was hauled up on the island to cover our landing, the other went / nearly straight across and was hauled up to where we landed. When we got to opposite where we were going to land we all headed our boats for shore and pulled straight ahead for the shore. We met with no opposition as the few horsemen ran for the woods when they saw us coming. we all got ashore formed a line, threw out Cos. A. and E. as skirmishers and then marched right into the woods The horsemen fired a few shots at us which were returned by our skirmishers with interest We marched on and every time our skirmishers saw any of the enemy they fired at them. we thought several times that we were nearly up to them but we got to Bluffton without hardly getting a sight at them. We captured a horse and some other Rebel property and then started for "Bull's Island" again. Sunday we had a discourse from the Chaplain who tried to make us believe we were heroes but as far as I was concerned I couldn't see it in that light. After sermon there were a number of men sent out to kill some cattle as we were nearly starved out.

 

On Monday afternoon we got on board the "Ben Deford", which had been sent up for us, and at about seven o'clock we landed at the wharf and marched into camp, tired and hungry. we got a good supper of baked beans and went to bed; and now we are in camp going right along as usual

 

Direct as usual

John W. Clement

 

I have got my tobacco

 

To Mr John Clement                          

Exeter N.H.                                         

                                                            

 

[top front margin upside down]

 

I did not say anything about Capt. Wilbur as the least said the soonest mended, about such a character as he is. "Can a man touch pitch and not be defiled?" I got a paper from Aunt H about 2 weeks ago

 

[inner top margin upside down]

 

I did not object to your paying Dr Gleason five ten or fifty Dollars, if he only cured you. What I wanted to caution you about was paying him any large sum till he had cured or partly cured you. I should follow his prescription as long as they appear to help you.

                                                           

J W Clement Co. B. 3^d Regt N.H.V. Port Royal S.C.

SOURCES