Edisto Island S.C. May 20. 1862

 

Yours of 6^th was rec^d this morning and as we have orders which seem to indicate that we shall move again soon thought I would take this opportunity to let you know that I have rec^d it, and a "Journal" of the 9^th, the latter containing much good news, which we were all glad to hear. You seem to think that Savannah is holding out a good while, but our gunboats can take that place whenever they want to. I suppose they are waiting for troops so they can hold that and Charleston when they are taken as I think they will be before many weeks.

 

I believe I wrote you about all the news in my last, since we returned from the Eddings place we have led rather a monotonous life, drilling four days and going on guard the fifth, picking and eating blackberries &c.

 

As you observe there are a great many islands on this coast, most of them are laid / down in maps in the illustrated papers, but I believe Jehossee is not laid down, it is between this island and the main land, to the south west of us. it is not a very large island.

 

We did not send our grey clothes home because they were too thick, but because we had too many to carry, and I wish I we had sent more to home as I have more than I like to carry on my back this hot weather, for it as hot as July.

 

You say that the papers say less about us than any other portion of the Army; they said more last fall, and if we should go into Charleston I think we shall be the biggest toads in the military puddle.

 

I see that Gen. Viele has been appointed Military Governor of Norfolk; if we were going into battle I should rather have him at the head of his old brigade than any General I have seen, for he is smarter than any that I have seen. He and Gen. Gilmore did all the planning for taking Fort Pulaski and I think Gen. Viele did the most of it himself, and I consider the capture of such a / Fort as Pulaski without loss of life as one of the smartest things that has been done on our side since the war began. And then the cutting off communication between Savannah and the Fort was another of his plans, and both were executed before the enemy knew what was going on.

 

A good many of the boys don't like to have Gen. Hunter come down here and claim all the honor of taking Fort Pulaski after the plans were laid and everything got ready; and Gen. Viele's name is not even mentioned in the dispatches. Another thing that they dont like is Gen. Hunters proclamation liberatin declaring the slaves in this Military District free, they think it is all Buncombe, as all the negroes within our lines are free, and those outside can not be freed by any proclamation by Gen. Hunter or anybody else.

 

Lieut. Ayer is sick with pleurisy, Giddings feet are nearly well and John Heads are better, but some of the rest of the boys have pretty bad feet but none of the Exeter boys. James Chase of Fisherville is sick in the Hospital. 

 

I cannot think of anything more to write so I will close by wishing you and all the rest health and prosperity.

 

John W. Clement

Co. B. 3^d N.H.V.

Port Royal S.C.

 

To Mr John Clement                                      

Exeter N.H.                                         

                                                                       

[upside down] May 20 1862

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