"Pinckney Island" S.C. Mar. 10. 1863

 

Yours of the 22^d ult. I rec^d this A.M. and that of the 3^d inst and "Harper's Weekly" and two copies of the "Traveller" this P.M. I also got another letter from Cousin N.J. Paterson this A.M.

 

My mail matter seems to come all in a bunch and nothing between, or in other words it never rains but it pours.

 

You will see by the date of this that we are still on "Pinckney Island"; when we first came here it was thought we would have been away before this, but we still stay here drilling, digging rifle pits and clearing off the trees and bushes, and no more signs of going off than when we first came here. The N.Y. Volunteer Engineers are driving piling across Scull Creek opposite our camp which is opposite Fort Mitchell / we may however be off at any moment as movements in the Army are sometimes very sudden.

 

I had not heard of the death of Senior's wife till to-day but it was known in the Company about a fortnight ago, but no one here knew of the death of John Lands children till to-day. Morris Reardon used to work for the Gilman boys and lived in the house that Mr Batchelder the miller used to live in when we lived in the Long Block.

 

The same steamer that bro't the mail bro't our Brigade Band which consists principally of members of our old Band that was discharged last summer. We have not seen them yet as they have orders to report to Gen. Terry who is down to the Head.

 

While I think of it I will just say that I got along very well without any socks last summer and I think I can this, so / you need not send any of any kind or any clothing unless I order it as no great amount of clothing is needed here after the first of April. You need not worry about my not getting things as I generally contrive to get enough to be as comfortable as any of the rest of the boys.

 

Jere. Weeks is getting better but does not gain in strength, the Doctor says if the Regt goes in the expedition he will probably get his discharge. All the rest of the Exeter boys are in a good state of health. I have not seen John Head, W^m Marston or George Giddings since we came up here, they will probably remain in the Signal Corps.

 

Capt. Wilburs case was referred to the authorities at Washington and unless this mail has bro't their decision it has not been heard from.

 

W^m Adams hadn't ought to get discouraged because the men don't know how to load their guns, a good many of ours didn't know how when they / came into the Reg^ts but the great fault both at "James Island" and "Pocotaligo" was that they loaded and fired too fast, and by that means got out of ammunition too quick.

 

I am sorry that you did not see Mr March as well as that he lost the stick I sent.

 

That picture of "Pay Day" is good, I have seen just such sights down here, only our sutlers are not such mean-looking men as the one in the picture, probably they are just as mean as he is mean looking. The "New South" is not the only money making concern in the "Department of the South".

 

Give my best respects to all enquiring friends.

 

I sent last week a diary for one year so you can see what we have been doing for the past year. I dont think there is much trouble between Gen's Hunter and Foster tho it is rumored that Hunter is recalled.

 

J. W. Clement.

Direct as usual

 

To Mr John Clement                                                              

            Exeter NH                                                                   

 

[top front margin upside down]

 

Was that note I sent Ch^s Goodwin given to him?

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