Hilton Head, Jan. 23^d 1863.

 

My dear Parents and Sister;

                                                I have just received yours of the 11^th and 13^th inst's containing the melancholy intelligence of Van-Buren's death, for which I was somewhat prepared by a letter from George Eaton, written the 11^th and rec^d last Monday the 19^th. He wrote that Vanny was sick of a fever, and I thought then that he could hardly get over it, as I knew how nervous he was.

 

I regret very much that I was not at home, as I could possibly have been of some assistance to you, and we should all have felt better about it, but I am not and do not suppose I shall be before next summer and perhaps not so soon, but I hope next June or July will find us all in New Hampshire. 

 

I suppose you all feel bad enough but I hope none of you especially Lucy Ann will lay Brother's death too much to heart, as he is doubtless better off now, in every point of view.

 

I suppose by the preparations going on that you may expect to hear of the fall of Charleston and Savannah before many weeks. There are 5 ironclad gunboats somewhere in this neighborhood, 2 or 3 in this port, and reinforcements are said to be landing near James Island. Whether our Regiment will go to either place is uncertain as Col. Jackson has been offered Fort Pulaski to garrison, but has not decided whether to go or not. I suppose whether we go or not, that the ironclads will do most of the fighting.

 

Part of our Company have just got back from "Fort Mitchell" at "Talbots" / where we were sent for a week, but staid 9 days, as we did when were out there in November; but as we were in a measure prepared for it, and as we got rid of an inspection yesterday and a review today we did not mind it much.

 

Lieut Fogg and Jere. Weeks both had a touch of the chills out there, but both are considerably better now.

 

The health of the Company and Regiment is good.

 

Wishing you much consolation in your affliction, and health and happiness in the future I remain

 

Your Affectionate Son and

Brother

John W. Clement

 

To Mr John Clement

Exeter N.H.

 

P.S. Give all our respects to all our friends.

J.W.C.

SOURCES