Morris Island, S.C. Oct. 25. 1863.

 

I rec^d your letter of the 13^th yesterday and "Ballot", "Traveller" and "Weekly" of the 8^th, 10^th and 17^th. I believe I get all the papers you send, but, as in the present instance, they are very often in danger of dying of old age before I get them; but the same steamer that brought me a Boston paper of the 10^th brought N.Y. papers of the 19^th. I don't know as anybody is to blame, but as the N.Y. papers are sold for 10 cts apiece it looks as if there was a speculation going on somewhere. Now I think of it, you can make a small saving in newspaper postage as you can send anything short of 4 ounces of papers in 1 envelope for 2 cts. I don't know how much the "Weekly" weighs, but the "Traveller" and "Ballot" can be sent together for 2 cts. and I am not sure but all 3 of the papers you send can.

 

I knew Fernando Spalding was in / the 4^th Reg't. I saw him last fall just before he started for Concord probably I forgot to mention it. I think he is there now. I saw Eph. Brigham last a week ago last Saturday he was as well as usual Edward Hall was in the hospital at Beaufort the last that was heard from him in the Company. I suppose he is there now, though I thought till lately that he had gone North.

 

I believe I wrote in my last that I carried the box containing Horace Hall's effects to the Express office on the 12^th inst. I hope his Mother has got it before now. I also hope to see my box here before many weeks.

 

I hope Josiah Taylor is better before now. tell him so if you see him again before he goes back to the Army, and tell him that I cured the chills by taking a large tea-spoonfull of black pepper in a gill of whiskey; I don't know as it would do any good after any one has / had the chills as long as he has. I took it the first one I had and I have not had one since, though I have felt as if I should have one several times but it all passed off in a short time. It seems like a rough medicine, but it is not worse than quinine.

 

I don't think there is much danger of my getting a furlough till next August. I am at present doing the Company writing so that I shall not have to go on guard for 8 or 10 days, and that will be a kind of rest, but the work is not very easy, as any one has to be very particular, but I can be in my tent every night.

 

I don't know why I have not mentioned Chaplain Hill's good works, since we have been here, for it has been often spoken of in the Reg't. He has done a great deal of hard work for the benefit of the sick and wounded, and the men appreciate his services, and probably before a great while you will hear of his receiving a handsome present. Watch! /

 

I think Mr Wilbur had better come out here and tell that story and see how many believers he would find. I think that there are some in the Reg't that would not believe everything he said.

 

The building of the "Swamp Angel" Battery was not the hardest nor the most dangerous job that the troops on this island have done, still it was something of a job.

 

I don't know as I told you in my last—guess I did not as I have not written to you since then—but a week ago last Saturday I got a letter from M.J.P. dated Aug. 11. I think that will account for my not hearing from her for so long time.

 

The men that went home on a furlough last month have all got back except Giddings who was left in New York sick—with rheumatism I believe.

 

All the Exeter boys that I have not mentioned are in good health I believe; and all send respects to friends.

 

Yours truly

J. W. Clement

 

Mr. John Clement                                           

            Exeter                                     

                        N.H.                            

 

SOURCES