Edisto Island, April 11. 1862

 

Yours of 23^d, 24^th and 25^th of March was rec^d yesterday, together with postage stamps, both of which were very acceptable; I also rec^d a N.Y. Tribune from Dan^l Head, containing accounts of battles of Newbern, Pea Ridge &c I had seen some accounts of them before but not of full particulars; John Head showed me a letter from Dan^l in which he complains that he hasn't heard from home for some time. I have just been reading a Boston Journal of March 31^st with an account of the battle near Winchester, from which it seems that we have some Generals that can set traps as well as some that can only fall into them when set by the Rebs.

 

I sent a short note the 7^th inst. together with twenty dollars ($20) You need not acknowledge the receipt of the money but once, (as I get your letters at some time), unless I should request it. I sent the money by Adams & Co's Express. 

 

I believe I wrote you that our Company had been out on picket the night before I wrote. since then we have been on guard once and that is about all we have done; our Regiment is pretty well broken up just now, Co's G. & C. being on picket duty in one direction, A. & D. in another, H. is acting as Provost Guard at Col. Fellows' Headquarters about eight miles from here, he (Col. F.) being commander of all the forces on this island, Co's B.E.F.I. & K. are here on Dr Mitchell's Plantation quartered round in house, barn, negro quarters, and a few tents. S. Lamprey, W^m Morrison, W^m Marston, Horace Hall and myself have a tent now, having moved twice since we came here; at first we went into a negro hut and fitted up with bunks &c we only staid one night when we had to move to accommodate Co. K. We went out taking our bunks &c with us, we five built a shed-roof pen against a hut, but it was too low-posted and leaked, so day before yesterday we got hold of a tent put it up and pull'd our pen down and used it to make a floor. yesterday we filled our bed / sacks for the first time, and last night I slept more comfortably than I have since I last left Exeter. For furniture we have a small bureau with three drawers a work-table, stool & looking glass, all but the last we captured in a hut on the next plantation. You see we are getting along quite comfortably, but we should come rather short of provisions but for a sweet potato field near by to which we have free access. the potatoes are rather old but are still good enough to eat (for soldiers) and help fill up, which is the main object. Another drawback to our comfort is land-flies—midges I believe I called them before—they are regular torments, and if the wind didn't blow a good part of the time I don't believe a white man could live here. Mosquito are pretty thick here too and quite large, not quite as large as turkey-buzzards but larger than you have them in New England.

 

The Exeter boys in our Regiment are all well except Jacob Stone, whom we left on Hilton Head, he has gone into the General Hospital there I believe. I should like to hear more frequently from my / correspondents and friends, should like to have them send papers occasionally also if convenient. Some members of our Company get half a dozen letters and papers to my one, and very often there is a mail with nothing at all in it for me.

 

Yesterday and this forenoon we have heard heavy cannonading to the southward and suppose that our folks have attacked Fort Pulaski and Savannah, but as yet don't know anything about it. the firing ceased about noon today.

 

I don't think of anything else to write about at present and so must close with wishing this may find you and the rest in good health. I believe I wrote that I had got my tobacco. You will find if your cotton plants live long enough that they will become pretty good sized bushes and will have a very pretty blossom.

 

Direct to John W. Clement

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

Port Royal, S.C.

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