Letter, James H Clement to Martha Whedon, Dec 2 1861

Head Quarters 44 Reg. Camp
Butterfield, December 2th 1861
Halls Hill, Virginia

Kind Mother,

I received Brother Marvins night before last containing your very kind note. I also received one from Jesse a short time ago. I was very glad to hear from them as I had not heard from them since I left Albany. I had about made up my mind that you had forgotten me but is is alll right you can not imagine how glad I was to hear from you all and to hear that you all were in good Health, and unreadable so finally, my health is very good indeed. It never was better. I think I have had quite a bad cold but have got about unreadable & with the exception of that I have been very well. My throat does not trouble me scarce any. I guess you will be unreadable when I tell you how much I weigh. I was weighed yesterday and weighed 141 (191?) pounds, what do you think of that, I am getting fat. I have such high living what do you think. I have for my Thanksgiving dinner, well I had catfish and potatoes, and I tell you it was very good though I suppose you had something better say turkey or chicken. Please tell me how much butter is a pound in Hebron. It is worth here thirty cents per pound, you will call that rather dear. I by [buy] a little and in a while, as I do not get any in the Army. The best of appls sell for 6 cents a piece. There is six of us in my tent very good fellows, we have just built it over and fixt [?] it over for our winter home. The prospect is that we shall stay here all winter. We have got things very comfortably indeed we are going to have a stove in our tent, won't that be nice. I think it will be a big thing, don't you.

I have been out on Picket. It was about four days ago. I did not see a Rebel but I really should like to of seen one just long enough to let me had the pleasure of shooting at him once. Things are very quiet along our lines at present. What does father think about the war now, please tell him. I should like to see him coming into our camp any day with his gun on his shoulder, but I am afraid he will not come. Give my respects to him and all the rest of the inquiring friends reserving a very large share for your self. Tell sister Rachel I will write to her soon.

Yours wil my best wishes

J H Clement
44 Regiment N.Y.
Washington D.C.

On the last page, sideways:

Please write just as soon as you receive this message. Write all the news give love to sister Caroline & unreadable will write to him soon as I get time.
J H Clement
44 Regiment, N.Y.
Washington D.C.

Addressed to:

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

Notes:

• Daniel Clement (1796-1872) would have been 65 years old, so maybe James was joking about his father showing up in camp, or describing something he'd like that he knows won't happen.
• Merriam-Webster suggests the following for being "on picket":
  • a detached body of soldiers serving to guard an army from surprise
  • a detachment kept ready in camp for such duty
  • SENTRY