Hilton Head, S.C. April 18. 1863.

 

My last was dated "Folly Island" April 10^th, on which day I sent a letter to George Eaton and one to you, having first received one from each of you, also 2 papers from you and one from George.

 

On the 11^th we started for Hilton Head again, which place we reached on the 12^th and camped on the same ground which we occupied before we went up to "Pinckney Island".

 

Up to the time we started we all expected that we were going towards Charleston, but for some reason which none of us understand we were ordered back; but we have orders to embark again tomorrow and I suppose this time we shall make a desperate struggle to reach Charleston, though it may turn out as the other expedition did, nothing but a feint. 

 

I have not received any mail matter since the 10^th, but as we were paid off to day for 4 months and as I have stopped the allotment and want to send $30.00 of my money to you by express I thought I might as well write a few lines as to let it go without any word.

 

My health is as good as usual. Simon Lamprey and Cornelius Donovan are both in the General Hospital and both are getting better. Warren Colbath was there but as nothing has been heard of him for 4 or 5 days it is supposed that he has somehow escaped and gone North. John Head, George Giddings and W^m Marston are at Fort Pulaski and still in the Signal Corps. Giddings was up here yesterday and said they were all well, and were going to make a permanent stop in the Signal Corps and so will leave the Regiment altogether. 

 

What you saw in my diary about my being sick was not anything serious, nothing but a few days slight illness and probably the reason I did not mention it in any of my letters probably was that I had got well before I wrote.

 

I have been to the "Surgeon's Call" but 3 times since I enlisted.

 

I wish you to write whether you have received twenty dollars allotted on my last payment. What I send in future will be sent by express.

                                                           

Yours in haste

John W. Clement

 

To Mr John Clement

Exeter N.H.

 

I send you a few gourd seeds of 2 different kinds, which I should like to have you plant somewhere about the yard, one came from round and the other from long-necked gourds.

J.W.C. /

 

Edisto River April 21^st

We started day-before-yesterday and got up here yesterday. We came up in the schooner "Highlander"

 

Warren Colbath had been to the camp of the 4^th Regiment.

 

The Chaplain is around taking money so I must hurry up

J.W.C.

SOURCES