Hilton Head S.C. Sept. 26. 1862

 

Yours of the 14^th & 16^th inst I rec^d yesterday and also a Traveller of the 13^th both of which I was glad to see, though we have papers of the 20^th in camp, giving accounts of the great battles in Maryland. I hope they will follow the Rebs up and not stop till they get into Richmond, there is no reason why they should not if heavy reinforcements are sent right on to M^cLellan at once. I have seen a Ballot of the 18^th, by which it seems that Josiah Taylor is Sergeant Major of the 11^th N.H.V., it is one of the best places in the Regt. his duties are to help the Adjutant form the line at Dress Parade and Guard Mounting and that is about all. I see also that R Nealy is 2^d Sergeant in Co. I. same Reg^t. and some other appointments that I don't recollect.

 

I don't see how a letter from me was mailed at Concord as I have sent no letters by private hands except by Sergeant Dunn and Sam^l Caban and I don't think either of them was dated Sept 2^d.

 

I saw a letter from John Head. There were some / mistakes in it about officers, but as they are changed now it don't make any difference. Capt. Allen commands Co. "C", Lieut. Ayer what there is of Co "H", A J Fogg is 1^st Lieut of Co "B" and Jonah Libby is 2^d.

 

Day before yesterday 24^th being S A's birth day I was on guard. I recollected it and was in hopes that before there were many more birth days in our family I should be where I would not have to stand guard or do any other military duty, viz out of the army and in New England.

 

I knew but could not think of Col. Brodhead's Christian name, though I knew he was one of Rev. Mr Brodhead's sons; I have long suspected M^cDowell of treachery and Col. Brodhead's letter and Sigel's quarrel with him go to confirm it; instead of sending him to West Point I think he ought at least to be imprisoned or what is better tried by a drum-head Court Martial and shot. The Rebs call him a gentleman, probably he is the kind of gentleman they would like to have all our Generals made of. I think now that he as much as Patterson was instrumental / in causing our army to be defeated at the first Bull Run Battle.

 

I have just seen Jeremiah Jones who used to work for Capt. Gilman when I tended there, and a young man named Wentworth from Stratham. they are on their way to join the 7^th N.H. which is at St Augustine Florida. they are well.

 

I think some of my letters must have mis-carried as I am pretty positive I wrote more than one letter in August.

 

I did not write to you to stop sending pepper &c because I thought it would be any trouble to you, but because I can get all such things here now, and so thought it would be of no use.

 

I am very glad you have been visiting and had company I wish you would keep on in that way as I am no great admirer of staying at home all the time. any time you want to go any where take what money you want and go.

 

The weather grows cooler and the sick are recovering fast which I am glad to see as it makes the Company look more natural and with the aid of the recruits looks nearer full than it / has for some time.

 

Capt Wilbur and Lieut Libby are both sick the former has the chills and the latter the diarrhea. D. W. Elliott has the chills C. Donovan and G Carter are getting along slowly. so is W^m Morrison, and W^m Marston is quite well as are the other Exeter boys

Give my respects to S Caban and all who enquire.

                                                                                   

Yours &c J. W. Clement

 

To Mr John Clement

Exeter N.H.

 

I was sorry to hear of the death of Dr Curtis' son, I was acquainted with him, and he was a good young man

                                                                                   

J.W.C.

SOURCES