Morris Island, S.C. Dec. 12. 1863

 

I rec^d your letter of the 1^st inst. and the usual papers yesterday afternoon, they having been ten days in reaching me. It seems the mail is just as long going, as it is coming, as by what you wrote you had not got my letter of Nov. 22^d when you wrote yours; as I wrote you in that letter of the visits of Rev. Charles Lowe, George Cobbs and the two Clark boys, the two latter are still here and are doing a good business I should think, the other two went back in the next steamer I think. I hope Aunt Harriet will see Mr. Lowe, as it happened so that he saw me. It was only by accident that he came to our camp; he was stopped (as every one is who passes the Provost Guard) while the sentinel examined his pass, he learnt on enquiry that the 3^d N.H. were doing the Provost Duty and that part of Company "B" were from Exeter; that same afternoon he came up / to our camp, which was then about a quarter of a mile from the Provost; and I have told you of the presents of books &c that he made to the Regiment.

 

We are having one of the longest and toughest storms that I have seen since I have been here; it commenced last Sunday night with a gale of wind which has continued most of the time since; yesterday it commenced raining a little, and now (Saturday P.M.) it is raining and blowing furiously. Hope it is most over. I have been lucky so far in not having any guard duty to do, since the storm commenced, as I was writing for the Adjutant the first part of the week and for the Company since then.

 

I dont think my other correspondents have very good luck in getting their letters along as I hear nothing from them lately. It seems singular that however long your letters may be in coming, they always reach me, while I have lost 4 or 5 letters from others who have written to me.

 

I should think Uncle Thomas was almost / near enough to come and see you, but as he is no great hand for visiting I suppose he would consider it too much trouble to make the journey from Portsmouth to Exeter and back, especially as he had been to see you so recently. Much obliged to Aunt Harriet, but soldiers are not allowed to import wines or liquors into this Department, but commissioned Officers can as much as they wish to.

 

During the present week Capt. Ela of our Regiment has been appointed Recruiting officer to re-enlist old members of the Regiment into the Veteran Volunteers. I don't know but the large bounties offered may induce a good many to try it over again, but I think that when I have served my time out I shall be willing that those that have not taken any part in this war should take their turn and see how they like it.

 

Yesterday there was an explosion in one corner of Fort Sumter, supposed to be a / magazine blown up. our folks immediately opened a heavy fire on the Fort, and it is said that they threw 20 shells a minute for 4 hours into the Fort if so it must have been a warm place in the Fort.

 

I am sorry that you both did not see Josiah Taylor. I should like to know what he says, and I should also like to see him very much; I hope his health will improve soon.

 

All the Exeter boys that are here are in good health and send respects to friends. My health as good as it has been lately, and I hope that you are also as well as usual as well as all enquiring friends.

 

It is very bad weather for writing or anything else so I will close.

                                                                                   

Good night—

John W. Clement

 

Mr John Clement                                                        

            Exeter

                        N.H.

 

I sent an order for dividends in my last, if please write if you get it

J.W.C.

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