Morris Island S.C. Nov. 8. 1863.

 

I rec^d your letter of the 26^th of October and one from Martha Hall, of the same date acknowledging the receipt of the box, and the 3 papers of the same date, or near that time, day before yesterday; I should have answered yours yesterday but I had to go on guard and so did not have time.

 

I was very glad to hear from you and to get the papers and also to hear that the box had arrived in safety, though sorry that the clothing was damaged. I thought that might be the case as the box laid round camp so long after it was ready, but hoped the rubber blanket would keep the dampness out.

 

The pictures of Morris batteries on Sullivan's Island are very good, as is also that of the "Ironsides", but as to the Cigar Steamer I can't say, as neither the man / that drew the picture nor I ever saw it.

 

I forgot to tell you in my last that I sent you a "New South" of the week before, but I did, and am going to send you one of last Saturday's with this. It contains the best account of the Siege of Fort "Wagner"—now Fort "Strong" that I have seen; I don't know whether you have seen it before or not.

 

I have not got my box yet but am expecting it by every steamer. I have not suffered for anything that is in the box (except the eatables and not much for them), as we have not had much cold weather nor rain lately. I hope you will not worry too much about those currants or stockings till I begin to find fault about them.

 

Yesterday was the second anniversary of the capture of Hilton Head. it was a fine warm day just as it was then, and today is the same; we had about a week of warm weather after we got there, and then we / had a cold snap. This year the first cold weather we had was the 17^th of September, which I think was about a month earlier than it was last year.

 

There is apparently not much doing in this Department. our Batteries are firing slowly at the ruins of Fort Sumter and get an occasional shot from Sullivan's or James Islands, but I think both sides are at work out of sight of each other, and I think the side that works the fastest and slyest will come out ahead, and as Gillmore is celebrated for his secretiveness I think he will win, though it will probably be a very long siege.

 

I heard when Ed Hall first left the Regiment that he had gone North but have since heard that he only went to Beaufort; it is almost impossible to keep the run of any one after they have left the Regiment, especially if they dont write pretty often.

 

I never expected that John Tanner / would stay in the Army a great while and think I told you so at the time. That was a regular Goodwin trick that Charles played on the boys, I don't blame him for not asking them in if they are the same set that were round on that sort of business of late years.

 

There is no Mass Regiment on this island at present except the 54^th (colored) the 24^th has gone to Florida and the 40^th is on Folly Island. I have just read the text you spoke of. I had forgotten if I ever knew that the word Confederacy was in the Bible.

 

I did not know suppose that you had heard of Lieut. Dow or Private Batchelder my tent mate, but Fogg will recollect them both. Lieut D. was formerly Orderly Sergeant of Co I.

 

All the Exeter boys that are with us are well and send respects.

 

Give mine to all who enquire for me in any manner whatever.           

 

Yours truly

John W Clement

 

To Mr. John Clement Exeter N.H.                                                    

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