Gloucester Point Va. April 29. 1864.

 

I rec^d your letter by the hands of J. Ward Leavitt yesterday, but we have been so long in getting here that the apples & crackers got spoiled so that he had to throw them away. I was sorry for that but I have long since learned that it is of no use to cry for spilt milk, so, as I can't help it I must make the best of it.

 

We started from Hilton Head for Jacksonville Fla. on the evening of the 2^d inst. and arrived there on the evening of the 4^th; soon after we got there our substitutes began to desert, and so we did not go on our intended raid, but on the 8^th Co's A, D, H & K started for Palatka (which is about 75 miles up the St. John's River from Jacksonville) on the 8^th and returned on the 19^th. They only staid in Palatka 2 days.

 

We started for Hilton Head again on the 24^th inst and got there the next morning. we lay in the harbor till the 26^th when we started for this place, where we arrived yesterday forenoon, stopping on the way at Fortress Monroe for orders. 

 

It looked quite natural at Fortress Monroe only the Fort on the "Rip-Raps" had grown a good deal.

 

I should have said that our horses were taken from us at Jacksonville on the 18^th inst. and that about a dozen of the subs. deserted and half a dozen more were caught attempting to desert. these were tried by a Drum Head Court Martial and one (Miller of Co. F.) was shot.

 

We found the Veterans all well that were here, but all of them had not got along, but all of the Exeter boys were here.

 

Carver wishes me to say that we are here and that he is well and will write in a few days; I am writing on the arithmetic that his folks sent him. I don't know that it means anything very particular if a gentleman sends his picture to a Lady, it may and it may not as the case may be. (It is a common practice.) I sent you a picture taken at the same time the one Mrs Hall showed you, last winter (in Feb. I think) one was taken with and one without a cap.

 

There is quite a difference in the weather between / here and Jacksonville, so that we suffer some from the cold.

 

My health is about as usual, though it tires me to travel. I don't know how I shall stand it if we make an advance, as I suppose I shall have to take a musket again, as the adjutant told me this morning that he supposed that I should not be on duty in his office any more. One of the Veterans is writing for him now.

 

The Adjutant you will recollect went home with the veterans. I have a notion that the man that is doing the writing at present will not stay long, as he is a man that does not wear very well.

 

You may not get this letter for some time as Serg't Bryant says they will not take any mail matter farther than Fortress Monroe at present.

 

We were unlucky about our mail matter, as the mail was sent to Jacksonville the very day we came up. I suppose there was at least one letter for me in it.

 

You will see by this that pens & ink are scarce in camp, all that we can take with us on the / march is 1 blouse, 1 pr pants, 1 cap, 2 pr shoes 3 pr socks, 2 shirts & 2 pr drawers; I suppose we can carry some paper and a lead pencil in our pocket. I dont know where we are going but suppose towards Richmond.

Give my respects to all relations & acquaintances who enquire for me.

 

I had like to have forgotten to say that Joshua Fieldsend has been sick with the dysentery ever since we left Jacksonville, he has just got into camp, and says he feels a little better this morning.

 

I don't think you feel any more anxious to see next August all right than we are.

 

I shall try and answer Aunt Harriets letter if I can get a chance soon, if not she will have to wait. I wrote you a letter on the 11^th inst. in answer to one I got on the same day. (I have forgotten the date of yours.

                                                                                   

Yours in haste

J. W. Clement

 

N.B. Direct to me Co. "B" 3^d N.H. Vols. 10^th Army Corps Virginia. J.W.C.

 

Mr John Clement

            Exeter

                        N.H.

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