Letter, James H. Clement to sister, Jan 19 1862

This letter from James Harvey Clement (1836-1862) is addressed to "much loved sister", which could be Caroline Clement (1832-1905) or Rachel Perham Clement (1838-1920). The mention of Daniel Harrington (1834-1917) suggests Rachel.

Camp Butterfield Jan 19, 1862
Halls Hill Virginia
Way down in dixie

Much Loved sister
With pleasure I take my pencil in hand to write you a few lines which I know I ought to of done before but hope you will see fit to pardon me this time. I will try and do better for time to come. I was very thankful for your very kind little note which came in unreadable. Well here we are yet on Halls Hill Virgunia. I don't know how long we shall stay here, it is hard to tell things are very quiet along our lines at present my health is very good indeed and hope this may find you all in the best of health. Weather here this winter has been much warmer than in Hebron I suppose, we have but very little snow here this winter. The ground is certainly bare now, and we are having a very hard storm here now. Today is Sunday and it's raining very hard, plenty of mud and a little to spare.

Joseph unreadable says Jane is married. Well I suppose the poor girl is pleased now and I hear that you attended the wedding and had a pretty unreadable old man to wait on you. That's giid. I suppose you had a great time, did you not. Please write me a good long letter and write all about it and what kind trim you had and how the old man took on you know. I must fun you a little, excuse me.

I have just been out on the unreadable-- no news-- about six miles from Camp, we were gone from Camp 48 hours, we carried our rations [?] with us, I made my own coffee and done my own cooking while I was out-- what do you think of that. We did not see the enemy. We have a very good time with the exception it rained very hard the day we came back to Camps. I have to do my own washing and ironing and have to make my own bed. There is five of us in out tent- 4 besides self, very good fellows that is the kind I like don't you. I suppose you're having a very nice time this winter going to parteys and donations, visits, how is Nancy Edgar. Give love to her and all the rest of inquiring friends in Town reserving a very large share for your self.
I will send you in this letter my him [hymn] book and two pictures of some of my friends, which I do not want to carry around with me. You may be somewhat unreadable that I do not send my picture to you well the reason is that I have not had any chance to get them taken but hope I may have a chance soon. I am going to Washington soon if I can get a pass and I think unreadable

Camps now else [?] Capt Reeves wife is but the best of all is the daughter of the Regiment is here. she is acting as nurse in the Hospital. She is doing a greate deal for the sick. I guess I have written about enoug. Please excuse me this time.
Yours in unreadable from

Your Brother J.H.C.

James H. Clement
44 Regiment NY
Washington D.C.

[sideways at bottom]
I went to see Daniel Harrington on Christmas and some of the other boys that went from Hebron. I had a very good time, and New Year I spent in in Camp. I sent unreadable a paper containing the picture of our dress parade. What do you think of me several unreadable words JHC

Notes:

• Daniel Harrington (1834-1917) and Rachel Perham Clement (1838-1920) were not married until November 1863