Letter, James H Clement to Martha Whedon, March 28 1862

Headquarters near Hampton March 28

Much Loved Parents,

I thought I must write you a few lines to let you know where I am and to let you know that I am enjoying very good health and hope this may find you all enjoying the same.

Well we moved from Camp Butterfield on March 10 and have been on the move ever since. The day we left Camp Butterfield we had a very long and hard march. We matched 24 miles that day. We matched to Centerville. We took posession of the place without the firing of a gun. We remained there over Night. We sleped [slept] in the Rebels Barracks. That night they had things fixed very nice and warm. They left in great haste it appeared that they did unreadable a visit from the 44th and the next morning we started back to Fairfax, which is about halfway between Camp Butterfield and Centerville. We remaind there until the 15th when we got marching orders to go to Alexandria, 14 miles distant from Fairfax. We remained there until March 21, when we were ordered to go down the river we moved March 21. Went on board the Steam boat William Small and ankered [anchored?] until the next day. We then set sail for Fort Monroe Virginia. We arrived there safe on Sunday March 22. We had a very pleasant voyage [?]. We remained on board the boat that night and in the morning we went on Shore and took up the line of unreadable for a place about 6 miles distant called Hampton. We arrived there safe and pitched our tents, and the next morning we moved about four miles farther and are now encampted in a very nice place in the woods. I do not know how long we shall stay here. We started yesterday moving with a large force and took posession of a place called Big Bethel where our troops was once defeated, we drove in the enemy. Pickets and the enemy run, it is hard to tell where they will run to next.

I have not heard from any of you since I received the box that you sent me. Everything was very nice that you sent me. I tell you everything tasted very good and the butter was very nice. I am very thankful to you all for the things you sent me You must write to me just as soon as you receive this message. I should like to have you all write to me as often as you can. I do not get much time to write now but will write as often as I can. I wrote you a few lines the next morning after I got to Centerville. I hope you received them safely unreadable now as I have not heard from home in a long time. I hope you will all write very soon. How is your health and fathers please remember me to hom and to all. I suppose you have made quite a lot of maple shugar [sugar] this Spring. I wished I have some now but I don't suppose there is any use of wishing. We are having very unreadable, are in blossom now. I suppose there is some snow in Hebron yet. I must close

Yours with my best wishes & love

James H Clement
44 Regiment, N.Y.V.I.
Fortress Monroe, Virginia

On the last page, sideways:

It is hard to tell when you will get this letter but I hope soon please tell all the friends to direct their letters to Fortress Monroe Virginia

Addressed to:

Mrs. Martha Clement
West Hebron
Washington Co. N. Y.

Notes:

• Fort Monroe is near Hampton, VA
• The events described in this letter are also covered in History of the 44th Regiment.pdf, Chapter VI, "The Army of the Potomac Moves", starting at page 103 of the PDF.