Morris Island S.C. Oct. 16. 1863

 

Yesterday we got part of a mail and in it were your letter of the 5^th and the "Weekly" of the 10^th, and to-day we got the rest of it and the "Traveller" of the 3^d and the "Ballot" of the 1^st (or Sept 31^st) came for my share, all of which were very acceptable.

 

The pictures in the "Weekly" are very good with two exceptions—and the same error is made by most of the artists when they try to represent soldiers under arms—the guard at Gen. Gilmore's Headquarters is at "Arms-aport" a position never taken by a guard except when being relieved, and no-body is relieving him. The other is in the picture of the "Grand Review"; every soldier that is not too much puzzled to know whether Mr Nast intended to represent Heavy or / Light Infantry in the foreground will laugh at that picture, as the men have their muskets in the position used by Heavy Infantry only they have them in the wrong hand. Either they should change the position of the musket or put them in the other hand. Otherwise the picture is the best one of a Review that I ever saw.

 

I have at last got Horace Hall's box started and they will probably get it about the time you get this letter. I did not pre-pay the express as such boxes can be sent without, and I thought if it should happen to get lost it would not be so much of a loss as if it had been pre-paid. I shall send them a few dollars more as soon as we are paid off and I can collect some small sums due from some of the men. The way I got the box started was rather singular. I carried it to Capt. Rundlett's tent to have it marked / and let it set close by, near Lieut. Davis' tent (our Co. Commander) till the next day when he ordered it sent to the Express Office to get it out of the way I suppose. Speaking of boxes I suppose you have sent mine before this. I don't know whether those currants would be of any account to me or not, if you have not sent the box yet you may put in a few them. I don't think those socks will be much too large especially after they have been washed once or twice as such things are liable to mill here as well as at home.

 

I am glad the health of the town is improving. I don't see Eph. Brigham very often now, have not seen him since we moved our camp, but he used to hear from home nearly every mail, so suppose he hears all about Bruce.

 

The Puzzle is very fair, I studied out the answer before I saw that it was in the paper, making dawn instead dusk.

 

I recollect the gale you spoke of. I was on guard that night 2 miles from camp so it would not have made much difference to me if our tent had blown down, only I should have had to help put it up the next morning. The tent below ours and the 2 lower ones on the other side of the street were blown down, but we have a way of putting ours up so that it would take a very strong wind to blow it down. John Thing was alone in the tent that night, as Batchelder the third man was on the camp guard the same night.

 

You may find that there is another island besides Black Island before we get through, and so may the Rebs.

 

My health is much the same as when I last wrote, Ward Leavitt is better, rest of the Exeter folks well.

 

Regards to friends.

 

Yours &c

J. W. Clement

 

Mr John Clement                                

            Exeter N.H.                                         

 

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I don't think they will make John Tanner do much duty though the Newsletter seems to think different. We are very quiet here just now. J.W.C.

 

I have got a full list of the members of Co. "B" past and present.

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