Morris Island S.C. Jan 21. 1864.

 

Your letter of the 12^th inst. together with the "Ballot" "Traveller" and "Weekly" I rec^d last evening, they having been just eight days in coming, which we consider rather quick time for this part of the world.

 

I have not much news to write this time except that Col. Jackson has got back to the Regiment; I saw him and Woodbury Berry to-day, they looked as well as usual. Woodbury said that the folks were as well as usual when he left New Hampshire.

 

Speaking of Berry reminds me that I got 2 letters and a bundle of papers last Saturday that were put up by George Eaton last August for him to bring here; they came in a box that came to Mr Carlisle. there were several similar packages in the box, and there was considerable fun about the late letters and papers.

 

John Bryant started for home yester- / day, he being one of lucky or unlucky ones that have got a furlough; I meant to have sent my diary home by him but did not know he was going till he had gone, and so I shall have to send it by some other method; I suppose there is no great hurry about it so I shall wait for a good opportunity to send it by private conveyance, if I can't I shall send it by mail.

 

Jan. 22^d. I shall send you a picture that I had taken last Saturday. I don't know as you will consider it much of a picture, but it is as good as can be taken in this part of the world.

 

I suppose that now Col. Jackson has got back he will try to get the Regiment together again, as it is pretty well scattered now. Co's. "A", "C" and "K" are on Broad Island cutting wood, Co's "B", "I" and "F" are doing Provost, Co's "D" and "E" are doing Post Guard, and Co's "G" and "H" are in Fort Shaw as Garrison; all but the 3 first are on this island.

 

I see that John Head has put in print one / of Capt. Wilbur's pious artifices to obtain a commission; I have heard the story before, but never have seen it in print, and the only reading that I ever knew him to do, was Extracts from the Army Regulations, and he made very poor work of it too, indeed I don't know as I ever heard any one try to read in public that made quite so bad work of it as he did.

 

Col. Jackson brought quite a number of commissions with him, so that there are now 9 Captains in the Regiment instead of 5 as there has been for quite a number of months, and other promotions in proportion; Jonah Libby that used to be our First Sergeant is one of the new Captains, and all 4 of them were 1^st Sergeants when the Regiment was formed; Capt. Dow was 1^st Sergeant of Co "I". he is Capt of Co "B". Simon Lamprey is 1^st Lieutenant, but I don't know what Company he will be in.

 

There is not much going on now in this Department, though our folks keep shelling Charleston, with what effect of course we can't tell. I suppose it has has the effect of keeping / some folks from living in that city that otherwise would.

 

There is some talk of an expedition starting from Hilton Head, but when it will start or where it will go to, no one appears to know. They are getting all the horses they can together and it is said that some of the Regiment will go as mounted Infantry.

 

All of the Exeteronians that I know of are well. I hope John Bryant will call on you as he can tell you better about how things are than I can write them.

 

Give Aunt Harriet and cousins my respects the next time you write to them. Also to Josiah Taylor, George Eaton and all who enquire for me.

                                                                                   

Good night

J. W. Clement

 

Mr John Clement                                                                    

            Exeter

                        NH

 

We have not been paid of yet but think we shall soon. The 4 N.H. Band is serenading near here. 8½ P.M.

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