Camp of the 3^d Reg^t N.H.V.

"Pinckney Island" S.C. Feb. 23^d /63

 

Yours of the 10^th inst. I rec^d yesterday together with a paper and "Valentine" from George Eaton, all of which which were very acceptable, especially the postage stamps, which by the way I did not call for because I expected we would be paid off a great deal sooner than we were, and not because I was afraid to ask for them; soldiers are not afraid to ask for anything they want, or even take it without asking if the owner is not round too handy.

 

I believe I have written one letter to you since we have been on this island, which event happened just one week ago today; since that time we have been very busy as we have the whole island to picket (it is about 6 miles long and from ½ a mile to a mile and a half wide) / besides building a wharf, felling trees, digging rifle pits, and fixing up our camp, which we are doing in great shape as we have as many board as we want; we build up a box about 3 ft high, just the size of the bottom of the tent, and then set the tent on top of it. We have got our tent raised up and to-day if we get the boards we are going to lay a floor. this makes the tent both larger and more comfortable.

 

As you probably have heard before this the blockade of Charleston is not broken a great deal, all that the Rebel Rains did was to disable the "Mercedita" and "Keystone State", but the "Housatonic" drove them both back; about the same time the Rebel batteries in Stono River captured the "Isaac Smith"; the "New South" says that half the blockading fleet did not raise their anchors during the fight. 

 

The whole thing was a good specimen of the "art of lying" by Beauregard, and yet the New York papers swallowed it without winking.

 

As I wrote in my last I think we stand a good chance to stay where we are for a number of months, as you will see by what I wrote that we have considerable of a job to do.

 

Lieut Fogg told me this morning that he had a letter from Mr March, formerly of our Co. He said that he had lost the cypress stick that I sent by him. I am sorry he lost it, not that it was very valuable but I thought it would be a curiosity, it was to me at any rate; but I don't think it will pay to mourn much for it. Mr March stated that he he had seen Father.

 

I don't know whether I shall see Eph Brigham or not as the Fourth Reg^t is at or near Beaufort, and I have never been there but once since I have been here. / If I do see him I will let you know so you can tell his folks.

 

Head, Giddings and Marston did not come up with us and probably will not be with us again soon as they will be on duty in the "Signal Corps" as soon as they learn the business. All the rest of the Exeter boys are well except Jere. Weeks and he is getting better. the Doctor says he is out of danger. I saw Vannys death in both the "Ballot" and "Newsletter". I don't know but the Doctor was right about his disease, but I did not know that there were ever any cases of it at the North except those brought there from the South.

 

I want you to give the enclosed letter to Charles Goodwin as soon as you get it.

                                                                       

Yours in haste

J. W. Clement

 

To Mr John Clement

            Exeter, N.H.

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