Morris Island S.C. Feb. 7. 1864.

 

I rec^d your letter of Jan. 26^th and the 3 papers last night; also a letter from Aunt Harriet and one from George Eaton at the same time, all of which I was glad to get, as you may imagine.

 

We are still here and there is not much going on in the way of fighting though our folks keep banging away at Charleston and the various Rebel forts and batteries but not very often getting a reply. The heaviest firing there has been lately was last Tuesday, a blockade runner in trying to get in or out (I don't know which) got aground on the beach near Fort Moultrie, and our monitors and batteries opened a heavy fire on her to prevent the Rebs from getting her off or getting much out of her, how either party succeeded I do not know, though I am pretty positive they will never move her again except in pieces.

 

Occasionally a few Rebel deserters come in, and a few nights ago a substitute belonging to Co. K of this Regiment was drowned in attempting to / desert from Broad Island where we have 3 companies chopping wood. I have heard his name mentioned once or twice but have forgotten it. But the most wonderful thing happened last Monday, we were eating our dinner when some one told us that some Ladies were going past with some of our Officers. we all rushed out to look, for a Lady is more of a curiosity here than a camelopard is with you; while we were looking the oldest one stopped and spoke to us. all of a sudden she said "I suppose you will allow me to come into your tent?" Of course we did, and she sat down and had quite a long talk from which we learned that her name was Marden, that she came from Windham, that she was a hospital nurse and that she had a son in the 4 N.H. Regt. and some other facts in her history. She also read a long letter from a young man from N.H. named Hadley who had been in the 3^d Ala. Regt. and was taken prisoner at Gettysburgh.

 

There has been a large fire on James Island for a day or two past and this afternoon the smoke / rolled up as if there was a fire in the pine woods; whether the Rebs set it or our folks I don't know.

 

The weather continues good, with now and then a cooler day than usual, but not near so cold as it was the first part of the winter.

 

There is a story going that an expedition started from Hilton Head yesterday but where it is going nobody knows, but there has been one talked of for some time past.

 

Aunt Harriet seems to think that our relations in Charlestown are doing very well, and I should think by her story that they were. She thinks also that you, Mother, write a great many letters for one of your age, and I agree with her there also. She gave a very interesting account of her visit to Mr Lowe. She sent me the Puzzle you spoke of, it reads thus.

 

If the B. Putting                      :          

If the great B full stop putting colon.

 

If the B M.T. put some           :          

If the great B m t put ome colon.

 

Fully translated it is, If the Grate be full stop putting coal on. If the Grate be empty put some coal on. I have seen the Puzzle before, but it was some years ago, it took me about ten minutes to get it out. 

 

I finished my last letter to Martha Hall about two days after I did yours, but and so it may not have gone in the same mail that yours did, or as you say she might have taken it out of the Post Office as she went up to the plains.

 

[insert]

 

From what I see in the papers I should say that it was not our cousin who is accused of the murder of Capt M^cKay, as the one arrested belonged to the Mass Sharp-Shooters.

 

I shall write to George Eaton as soon as I get an opportunity, which may not be for a number of days as I have to be very busy the first part of the month, more so than at any other time. I shall also try to write to Aunt Harriet soon though she says she should not blame me much if I did not as she thinks she has neglected me somewhat, but under the circumstances I don't think she has used me very badly.

 

Give her and all others who may enquire for me my best respects.

 

The difficulty about my writing is simply the want of subjects, and not any difficulty about my health.

 

If I am at any time where there are any sea shells that I can get hand I shall try to collect a few.

                                                                                   

Yours truly

J. W. Clement

 

Mr John Clement                                                                    

            Exeter

                        N.H.

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