Edisto Island S.C. May 14. 1862

 

Yours of April 30 I rec^d day before yesterday also one from George Eaton dated May 4. the latter was just one week getting here, which we consider very quick as we are very forty eight hours steamboat time from N.Y. I got the Journal of the 24^th ult. on the 9^th inst. but those other Journals that you spoke of sending I have not seen yet though I may after they get sufficiently old and stale for a common soldier to read. We did not stay long at Eddings' Plantation for on the 25^th we had orders to return to our old quarters on Mitchell's Plantation which we did being relieved by Co. D. Penn 55^th and we are now living in negro quarters and tents; but we have got our old tent and the same men but we have a floor and bunks in it, so that we are quite comfortable though we don't like as well as we did at the Eddings place; some of us think we could have staid there if the Captain had been a little more quiet. 

 

Besides our bed ticks, we have now got mosquito bars, they were given out by the Quarter Master but they are charged to us at 50 cts apiece and they are worth all of that and more too, as we can now sleep in comfort which we could not do before.

 

I was very glad to hear from my money so quick and direct, and perhaps you will be glad to hear that the Allotment Commissioner has been round, so that instead of sending money home by express or mail, it is taken from the bank without our seeing it. I have allotted ten dollars ($10) a month to Father, it will take effect in July, when the cashier will send him a notice and he can draw the money, $20 for 2 months. I shall not probably send home much of my next two months pay and what I do send will be by mail.

 

We are having regular July weather here and altho' we don't have peaches, we have plenty of low blackberries. one day last week S Lamprey, W^m Morrison, Horace Hall and I went out and picked a water-pail full in half an hour, and day before yesterday / while on picket I saw peas in bloom, and some one said that Col Jackson has had green peas to eat but I didn't see them and so can't vouch for the truth of the story.

 

My feet are all right now but Giddings is having a hard time with his, as is also John Head. it commenced with what is called the ground itch, whether it is anything like the old style itch or not I don't know, it commences with a hard bunch from which water can be squeezed, and if not cured it makes regular sores. Quite a number have been lame from it as it generally comes the worst on the feet and ankles. Giddings and Head are the worst cases that I have seen, neither of them have done much duty for three or four weeks

 

Co. H. is the Co. from our Regt that was in that skirmish on John's Island. I had forgotten all about it but upon thinking it over I recollect that one of Co. H. told us about it one day when we went down to Gen. Wright's Headquarters where Co. H. is / stationed as Provost Guard. there were about 100 of our men engaged in the skirmish. I think that the horse meat eaten by the 2^d Regt must have been salt beef which soldiers and sailors call salt horse; I suppose our Army suffered some for want of provisions when they moved as all armies do when they move it being almost impossible to get provisions along as fast as men; but when soldiers are in camp somebody is to blame if they are not well fed.

 

I don't know what is the matter with Jacob Stone but he together with J S Randall, E. Fanan and Cushon all of Co. B. have got their discharge and are going home, probably in the next steamer.

 

I don't know when we shall move or where to. It seems as if we were going to stay round here some time. I hope when we do move it will be towards Charleston.

 

Give my respects to all enquiring friends

 

Instead of writing oftener you might buy a paper, of Ephraim Fellowes, when there is any important news, and then send it to me after you have read it.

All the Exeter boys are well except those I have named.

 

J. W. Clement Co. B. 3^d Reg^t N.H.V.

Port Royal S.C.

 

To Mr John Clement                                      

Exeter N.H.                                         

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