Morris Island S.C. Nov. 22 1863.

 

Your letters of the 3^d and 10^th insts I rec^d on the 18^th together with 2 bundles of papers of like dates, and a letter from M.J.P. dated the 10^th of Nov. I should have answered your letters before this time but have been waiting to tell you that my box had arrived; but it has not got along yet owing I suppose to some of the expressmen having got another of their lazy fits on: however I think it will be along about Christmas or New-Years, and that will be the last box they will carry for me as long as I am in the Army; I had rather suffer for the want of anything than to wait so long as I generally have to for them to bring it, and I should advise all the soldiers especially the old ones to do the same. And I should advise their friends not to send any boxes / unless they are specially ordered by the soldiers.

 

Our Co. has again moved, making the 5^th time since the middle of July. We are still doing Provost duty with Co's "F", "I" and "H". Co. "A" having rejoined the Regiment, which is again on active duty.

 

I have lately seen more Exeter boys than I have before for some time. Last Monday we had about 200 conscripts come into the Regiment, there was a guard with them and one of that guard was George Cobbs son of Mrs Cobbs on Front Street; he belongs to the 8^th N.H. Reg^t and has been home on a furlough. On Tuesday John Clark (son of William Clark) and Wednesday his brother George paid us a visit; they are going to start a sutlers shop here. Wednesday afternoon the Rev. Charles Lowe came to see us and in the evening sent us a lot of books and papers. I suppose you know he is Pastor of / the Unitarian Church in Somerville Mass. Yesterday morning he came and bid us good-bye, and I suppose he will return on the next boat. George Cobbs went off Tuesday morning. He and Charles Lowe went to the Academy at the same time I did. The Clark boys used to go to school to J. P. Payson when I did.

 

Since the conscripts came we have been busy drilling them, and fitting them out with arms, equipments and such clothing as they need.

 

Last Thursday night, or rather Friday morning some of our folks made another attempt on Fort Sumter (about 150 of our Regt went) in boats but as the Rebs opened rather a warm fire on them before they got very near they came back again having only 3 or 4 men wounded one of whom belonged to Co. "K" of our Regt. He was only slightly wounded in the arm. /

 

I believe I forgot to tell you that those postage stamps came safely to hand. If I can get yesterday's "New South" I shall send you one. I am sorry Josiah Taylor is so sick, hope he will get better soon. And I hope too that your health Mother will continue to improve. All the old hands are looking anxiously forward to 9 months from to-day as we are sure that our time will be out then, and hope it will be before that time, but have not very strong hopes on that point.

 

I dont know but Charleston has been attacked again but none of us have seen it done yet.

 

Give my respects to Aunt Harriet and all Uncles Aunts and Cousins that you write to, and to all who enquire for                                                        

John W Clement

 

Mr John Clement

Exeter  N.H.

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