Morris Island S.C. Dec. 28^th 1863.

 

I rec^d your letter of the 13^th and also the box and contents yesterday by the hands of Mr. Carver. I was very glad to get the things especially the mince pie, which had more of the appearance of home than anything I have seen lately, and it tasted like home productions also.

 

I received a letter from M. J. Paterson on Christmas day and answered it day-before-yesterday the day before I got your letter. she said she some thought of going to Canada with a cousin of hers who had been visiting her folks. I think I should prefer visiting Canada in the summer than at this time of the year? I have not heard from Martha Hall since the first week in November, should like to very much.

 

As we don't expect any snow in this part of the world, we are not disappointed if we don't get any, nor any ice to speak of, though we get a little every winter. 

 

Dec.29^th

Last night at about ¼ past 9 a rapid fire was opened by the rebs on our front batteries and ours fired some in return but I don't imagine it amounted to much on either side, the firing continued for about ¾ of an hour.

 

I don't know as I told you, but we have lately had another lot of recruits, 71 in number, which makes 276 that we have received this fall. Our Regiment is reported as lacking 26 recruits, but as there are 8 vacancies among the officers we really lack 34 and shall lack more, as sick and wounded men are discharged.

 

I see by the papers that a good many old soldiers are re-enlisting in the Veteran Volunteers, they have not done much in this Department till lately I hear that a majority of the 7^th Conn. Regt. have re-enlisted and are getting furloughs by Companies, none of our Regiment have as yet had a chance, although there is a recruiting Officer appointed in the Regiment. I dont know how many will re-enlist / I have seen but one who says he will but suppose more than that will, but I think one term of 3 years will do for me.

 

The way we equip recruits is to give them any equipments that we may have on hand, the majority of our recruits are not armed or equipped yet but soon will be. As a good many of them are old soldiers it will make the guard duty much lighter for the men than it is at present

 

I can't think of anything new to write; but hope that Mrs Eaton and Josiah Taylor and all the rest of the sick will get better. Give my respects to all who enquire for me. I suppose you know that I got my box on the 1^st inst and sent an order for dividends on the 12^th inst. Give my respects to Aunt Harriet and cousins when you write.

                                                                       

Yours

J. W. Clement

 

Mr John Clement                                                        

            Exeter

                        N.H.

SOURCES