Bermuda Hundred, Va.

May 19 1864.             

 

I write to let you know that I am still alive and as well as could be expected considering the duty I have done since we have been in this place. We have been on the march or on picket or some kind of duty ever since the 6^th inst. and what there is left of us are about used up.

 

I got your letter of the 5^th inst on the 11^th and one from George Eaton on the 17^th (dated May 9^th) tell George I have not got time to answer him at present.

We have been in 3 fights, one on the 13^th which was a charge on the rear of a Rebel fort our Reg't charged alone and lost about 150 in killed and wounded Our Co. lost 3 killed and 14 wounded. Among the wounded are Warren Colbath / slightly in the fingers, Warren Dearborn in the hand and James Carlisle in the calf of the leg.

 

The Rebs being reinforced on the 16^th made a charge on us and drove us back, but our Reg't and the 40^th Mass. charged on a North Carolina Brigade and drove them back. This was the fight near Fort Darling or Drury's Bluffs, though not many of us knew we were so near that place. Daniel Dudley was hit in the elbow by a spent ball which bruised the flesh a little.

 

Night before last we were on picket and the Rebs were at work trying to drive us in and in the morning they drove in the outposts and we came very near capturing some of them too, among them your humble servant. they got so near my post that we could hear the officer giving the word of command to / his men. we were fighting them all day yesterday but owing to the fighting being nearly all in the woods we did not lose more than 20 or 25 men. In the whole I think our loss has been something in the neighborhood of 250 in the last fortnight.

 

I am very tired and sleepy or would write more.

 

Respects to Aunt Harriet and all others who enquire for me.

 

Yours in haste

J. W. Clement

 

Mr John Clement

            Exeter

                        N.H.

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