1 10 134 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/5bcf72b400fdf8d30b9e235d3725dafb.jpg 8e554e157a5c4e9590cfdb10d2ee1cbc https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e690042aeb0b29c1c4f2ff2f4185c1e3.jpg 11553f9087f4a237776a322b85ade426 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/7b4a7d5cf15ea3deb798ef273a3247a2.jpg a439a1b1f8615dd15e5fb6fee63cab44 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0a83a16091bb243780140543ea23c4c0.jpg 6b4dc256d273cb130e1b21d61b639262 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Lexington Ky., Apr. 3, ‘63 My Dearest Wife, No mail yet. Two weeks tomorrow and I assure you it seems a long time, so I resort to a few words with you once more knowing full well that they will be welcome and find an answer sometime. Well, we are still here in our very pleasant camp and the usual routine of duties are renewed, guard duty and drill and by the way, day before yesterday I obtained an entire release from guard duty as the Color Corps are exempt, but owing to a misunderstanding, I have served when the rest did not but now it’s all right and so I escape being out nights which is an object and I must tell you too what a change has taken place. Yesterday four new Corpls, were appointed and one promoted to Sergeant and my name is now first of the Corpls. Nelson Smith is one of the new ones, also Joshua Rich of O [Orange]. So Orange is quite well represented for Howe has his commission as 2nd Lieut[enant] and he is a fine drill officer. I must tell you too that on our journey which lasted just a week, Co. H carried off the palm in behavior, not a man reported for misconduct and the only Co[mpany] in the Regt! So much for a temperance Captain! And we are reaping “golden opinions” from all the officers. This is all the more pleasing as the Capt. has been “snubbed” sometimes because of his strict adherence to temperance etc. So much for Co. gossip which I knew would gratify you. You know we soldiers are not in the habit of saying much of Co[mpany] matters. So you may observe the same rule unless it be to correct errors. Life here is much as at all camps. I think the boys are quite as happy as at any place before. They play ball a great deal. Everything but the weather has tended to promote pleasure. It has been very chilly and cold for this country. We have high winds and as I write, ‘tis quite blustering but soon warm weather will fairly come and ‘twill be quite pleasant. We have the usual camp stories but I see no more signs of a collision with the Rebs than before altho “they say” they are to make a desperate attempt in Ky [Kentucky] to prevent them from starvation but the place is being formidably fortified so that we shall have their advantage this time so I see no more reason for anxiety for the friends at home for us than formerly. There is a strong force hereabouts and facilities for rapid combinations so I think there is small fear of disaster. We rise as usual at 6 o’clck, a nice wash from a sweet clean running brook, breakfast at little before 7. And I am feeling in excellent health. My cold is quite well. Had quite a “scene” last eve. Some ladies from the asylum nearby came to the wall bounding our camp next to the road when a grand rush was made by Co. B and some others to chat with them and it was quite pleasant. You know the south and western people are more “free” and less ceremonious. They were strong Union. Ben Edmands and I concluded ‘twas no place for “such as we” and kept at a respectful distance, so you see how considerate your lords are! Spent the eve in B. E.’s [Ben Edmand’s] tent reading Shakespeare aloud, taking turns from Hamlet, Twelfth Night and ‘twas fine times I assure you. There is an Englishman Lamont in the tent and he is very intelligent and a lover of the muses. So you may be assured “we three” have nice times. And so goes life here. How is it at home? How much I want to hear from you and to see a Boston paper. Hope for a mail today. The Chaplain and Captain went to town this a.m. What of my little Lulu? And all the dear friends? Please let my letters to you suffice for all just now. What of Alonzo and Ellen? Expect I shall hear ‘ever so much’ news when the mail comes! May it all be good. Have you received all my letters? The new direction is “Burnside’s Department” via Cincinnati O[hio], Co., Regt. etc. as before. P.M. After the above we [were] called into line to receive Gen. Burnside who is in town but not arrived yet. Expect him sometime this P.M. Fair weather and sunny, warm. Love to all and as ever, your Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: The following information about the men who were promoted and mentioned in this letter was taken from the Unit History. William Nelson Smith enlisted at age 20 from Orange, Massachusetts, on August 4, 1862, the same date that Jerome enlisted, and he attained the rank of Corporal. He was discharged for disability on December 23, 1864. Joshua Rich enlisted at age 32 as a Private on August 5, 1862. Rich was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864. William L. Howe enlisted at age 23 in Company H as a Private from Orange, Massachusetts, on August 4, 1862, also the same date that Jerome enlisted. He died of disease at Milldale, Mississippi, on July 7, 1863, not long after this letter was written and his promotion to Second Lieutenant. NOTE 2: Regarding Jerome’s promotions, in several letters he mentions that he might be being considered for a promotion to Second Lieutenant, but that promotion never happened. However, he was promoted to Sergeant on January 1, 1864, according to his Service File in the National Archives. NOTE 3: The Captain Jerome refers to in this letter was Captain Christopher Sawyer. He enlisted as a Captain at age 28 from Templeton, Massachusetts, on August 22, 1862, and he commanded Company H of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the company that Jerome was assigned to. Sawyer was discharged on account of disability on February 19, 1864. NOTE 4: Benjamin B. Edmands enlisted as a Private at age 27 from Brookline, Massachusetts, and he was subsequently promoted to Corporal. On January 20, 1864, he was discharged from the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment for promotion as a Lieutenant in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers. NOTE 5: The “Alonzo” Jerome referred to in his letters was Seth Alonzo Ranlett. Ranlett enlisted in Co. B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment as a Private on July 24, 1862, at age 22, and he was from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was promoted to First Sergeant on August 27, 1862, and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on December 1, 1862. On December 17, 1862, he was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment. He was mustered out “on account of physical disability from disease incurred in the service” on February 20, 1864. Ranlett was born on March 18, 1840, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and he died May 21, 1905, in Newton, Massachusetts. Ranlett’s wife was Ellen Peirce Ranlett, with a date of birth of March 22, 1842, and a date of death of January 12, 1914. They were married on January 21, 1864. Ellen Peirce was one of the children of Foster Peirce and his wife Catherine Abby Beaman. Also, Foster Peirce was a brother of Jerome. Therefore, the Ellen that Jerome mentions in his letters was one of Jerome’s nieces, and starting on January 21, 1864, Alonzo was the husband of one of his nieces. NOTE 6: The “new direction” in this letter refers to how Allie should address her letters to Jerome following the recent move of the Regiment. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, April 3, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Lexington, KY. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-04-03 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Peter Rainey (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.5 X 4.25 6.75 X 9 11.25 X 9 6.25 X 9 jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #96 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Lexington, KY. Allie Jerome Peirce Lexington KY. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/c7edef086cae78243c92bc8e4462307d.jpg edaba2d93a2cd9ab099452f709de930f https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3ed2dfb259071dfbaccd9b8d01837584.jpg 1c3c8dc003276c37cc5c80522c0bebfa https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/99eef77ed1215245b2e58693e0134917.jpg f32c3c9ac41e134f42a3fec5c3546fc5 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/9ace774b179108f3e1a6d19b7ef18ed5.jpg 52d019dcd6e71cdf131478405548626c https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/6ac85ce5d354f7181e1f663ca5531a43.jpg d3246f94694d04bcf9d0b162ee3a9681 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Lexington Ky 31st Mch 1863 My dear wife, I wrote you a few lines again today to inform you principally how to direct your letters in future. It is as follows: Co., Reg. & Corps as before but to “Burnside’s Department via Cincinnati, Ohio” and I shall get them. Have not heard from home yet since our arrival and you may imagine how anxious I feel to receive some tidings. I wrote you last Sabbath and to Abbie yesterday. We shall probably receive a mail soon. I have nothing new to write. It is quite cold here and snows a little today. The people think it is our doings for ‘tis uncomfortably cold for the season. Lumber is being distributed to raise our tents so by and by we expect to be nicely camped once more. Have been very busy this morning cleaning up equipments and for inspection this P.M. but I think there’ll not come off. The boys have been having a smart game of ball as it is a nice place and all in the best of spirits. There is a swift clean brook runs thru the grounds in the rear, so we have a nice chance to wash. Great fine black walnut trees adorn our ground. The state lunatic asylum, a large mass of brick buildings with red roofs, stand at the left while [Henry] Clay Monument looks down upon the opposite side, while cars are constantly coming and going in front of us and it don’t seem possible that we are so far from home as it is an old settled place and seems like Mass. very much. A gentleman formerly of Providence, R.I. called upon us on Sunday P.M. and a very pretty little boy with him. I showed him little Lulu’s picture. He looked funny and hardly knew what to do. He was a roguish little fellow. The church bells and the general hum seems quite [a] civilization once more. We can get passes to attend church and I shall attend at every opportunity. How do you all do? What do the papers say? I want very much to get a “Journal” and I suppose our movements were all talked over before we knew precisely where we are going. Many thought we were going to garrison places north to look after “Copperheads” but I understand they are growing “beautiful by less” everywhere and so I think they will. What of Will and Frank? I feel anxious about affairs in Suffolk for it looked like a fight when we left Va. No paymaster yet but expected daily and then I hope to send you something and have a little myself, for so far from home [I] shall need a little. Is Alonzo at home? I presume you will anticipate all these questions in your letters so I will close. Love to all and a special share for yourself and Lulu. As ever your affectionate husband, Jerome P. Transcriber’s Note: The following is an apparent continuation of the letter on a separate page. Allie, I suppose you will hear from Dan Preston’s family by this time all I could write What a tragedy! Oh Allie, there is something worse than my being here. To think of the fate of Ellen and her feelings! I pity her very much for wiser one might have saved her. I think by a right course Lucy wrote me about her. I send you some leaves and a purple flower, the “hyacinth”. The leaves are the ‘mistletoe’, a sacred plant with the English. Druids used in their worship I believe. They shoot out of maple trees, many feet from the ground. The limb swells like a sore and these shoot out all around it like this. Transcriber’s Note: The following note was written vertically on the margin, possibly not by Jerome. “Contents of the letter all safe.” Transcriber’s Note: The following appears on the reverse side of this page. This came in one of the first letters but took it out with some flowers and did not see it till this morning. Private We are pretty well. How is Alonzo? Your affec[tionate] Sister Hattie TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Henry Clay (1777 – 1852) was an American lawyer, planter, and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Clay helped elect John Quincy Adams as president, and Adams subsequently appointed Clay as Secretary of State. Clay served four separate terms in the Senate, and he ran for the presidency in 1824, 1832 and 1844, and unsuccessfully sought his party's nomination in 1840 and 1848. In addition, he created the Whig Party. Clay died on June 29, 1852, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 75. He was the first person to be lain in state in the United States Capitol rotunda. He was buried in the Lexington, Kentucky, Cemetery. The Henry Clay Monument, shown below, was erected at the cemetery in 1857 and consists of a 120-foot tall Corinthian column surmounted by a statue of Clay. The remains of Clay and his wife Lucretia rest in two marble sarcophagi on the floor of a vaulted chamber at the base of the monument. Clay’s estate, known as Ashland, is also located in Lexington and is now open to the public. NOTE 2: In the 1860s, the “Copperheads” were a faction of Democrats in the Northern United States who opposed the Civil War and wanted an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates. Republicans started calling anti-war Democrats "Copperheads,” likening them to the venomous snake. Those Democrats accepted the label, reinterpreting the copper "head" as the likeness of Liberty, which they cut from Liberty Head large cent coins and proudly wore as badges. By contrast, Democratic supporters of the war were called War Democrats. The “Copperheads” represented the more extreme wing of the Northern Democrats. Republican prosecutors accused some prominent “Copperheads” of treason in a series of trials in 1864. NOTE 3: Hattie was Allie’s younger sister. Her complete name was Harriet Walker Jaquith, and she was born in 1845. The information about her on ancestry.com indicates that she probably died in 1930. NOTE 4: The “Alonzo” Jerome referred to in his letters was Seth Alonzo Ranlett. Ranlett enlisted in Co. B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment as a Private on July 24, 1862, at age 22, and he was from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was promoted to First Sergeant on August 27, 1862, and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on December 1, 1862. On December 17, 1862, he was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment. He was mustered out “on account of physical disability from disease incurred in the service” on February 20, 1864. Ranlett was born on March 18, 1840, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and he died May 21, 1905, in Newton, Massachusetts. Ranlett’s wife was Ellen Peirce Ranlett, with a date of birth of March 22, 1842, and a date of death of January 12, 1914. They were married on January 21, 1864. Ellen Peirce was one of the children of Foster Peirce and his wife Catherine Abby Beaman. Also, Foster Peirce was a brother of Jerome. Therefore, the Ellen that Jerome mentions in his letters was one of Jerome’s nieces, and starting on January 21, 1864, Alonzo was the husband of one of his nieces. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, March 31, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Lexington, KY. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-03-31 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Ben Raterman (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6 X 9 11 X 9 6 X 9 6.5 X 8 6.5 X 8 jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #95 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Lexington, KY. Allie Jerome Peirce Lexington KY. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/306a3b2e7614203f3a54c9a23ee50052.jpg ce01eece2bd254b756bf902db11ab207 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/7ace49a7817a4aba3891eb44533beee8.jpg db914e78234cb974823095a297b752b4 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/16144ed180dd47d5aa6afa5ef56b56e9.jpg 99ba27042eeec0ef5a6472b2f7ec2152 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/52c5d61f3fb0719f35d6aaa6d696be0e.jpg 121bae89d9fb26b5274d96c0927d5958 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/2b6eeec3359776171380b598735e7da9.jpg ca32a9cc4ec415442e9fac2fc51b3ee0 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/c237030ca4aac69f84711c7c16a0b261.jpg 247c9ba37f0ce957ebc944e02bbe455c https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/d05dc74e2b7a321bfd6707e06cca8edc.jpg a55426df0dcc8a7e5abd0a3d32d3151f Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Lexington, Ky Mch [March] 30th/63 My dear Abbie What do you think of this? If you have a good war map just follow with your finger from Newport News across the Chesapeake to Baltimore, then across the country through Harpers Ferry, Cumberland, Grafton, Piedmont to Parkersburg, Va at the mouth of the “Little Kanawha”, down the Ohio River to Cincinnati, Ohio where we arrived on Friday eve at 7 o’clock and Saturday morn. or A.M. to Covington, Kentucky and by rail to this place where we arrived on Sunday (yesterday) at little before daylight, and then imagine a place very much like old Cambridge and our camp in a place like the College grounds without the buildings and not so artistic but equally pleasant, and you have our moves for the last week! Did you think your brother would ever wander so far from home? Well such are the demands of these times. General Burnside and his fine 9th Corps defending old Kentucky! And then you must know that we are but a few rods from the cemetery and Henry Clay’s monument, 152 feet high, and looks down upon our camp, a fine statue of him dismounting it. I am ignorant of terms to describe it, but it is the most elegant monument I ever saw of native stone of yellowish hue. A square like a building containing a marble sarcophagus of white marble, then a square base with a round shaft, Corinthian capital, above that a sort of a June apple with four scrolls and then the figure, altogether forming a graceful and beautiful tribute to the “Sage of Ashland.” The city is a mile away but in full view, a delightful and tastefully laid out place they tell me for I have not been “downtown” yet. Two churches remind me of old Cambridge by their spires. A college and large lunatic asylum nearby besides other fine buildings, denoting fine taste and pride of the best sort. Around us are fine old estates and plantations, spacious fields and excellent roads and, in short, one of the most delightful spots I ever saw. There is much Secesh element but it is diminishing and with a just and firm administration the union will prevail. Have seen some of the union people and we are welcomed by them with true Kentucky hospitality and we hope to be worthy of the same. We are probably fixed here for the present and ready to strike at any point that may be threatened for the ‘rebs’ are desperate and this is the last resort for Army supplies. Fortifications are in progress about the city and we will be ready. The Corps are divided, some at Louisville and in other places, so as to cooperate and thus enable General Rosecrans to keep his force unbroken. Of the journey, I enjoyed it hugely, passing through some of the grandest scenery in our glorious union and I feel still more inspired to defend it to the best of my powers. How much I wished I could have shared in comfortable passenger cars the fine scenes thru which we passed! Lost much in night riding but one great wish was fulfilled and that was a view of “Harpers Ferry.” It is a magnificent scene. We reached it early Wedns. morning and we passed through the ruins of the Armory building to receive our rations which were prepared on our arrival, at several places, on the route, hot coffee, etc. The rivers were both high and the effect with the grand mountain scenery was next to Niagara certainly. Along up the Patapsco [River] too from Baltimore, the “Relay House”, Ilchester, Ellicotts Mills and other factory villages were viewed by daylight and furnished fine “pictures” for memory. Cumberland is a pleasant enterprising place situated amid the loveliest mountain scenery on the whole route. Numberless canal boats, several large churches, a Catholic college and many nice buildings, but built mostly of brick. I forgot to mention Martinsburg, the great depot of railroad work and where the Rebels made a raid and destroyed a splendid bridge built upon fine granite towers and iron trestle work and the vast machine shops too, all in ruins. I assure you I was full of ire and could have punished them with a will, but all was a part of war I suppose. Piedmont is the great coal depot where the cars come from the mountains. (Dress Parade and I must prepare). A few moments later. Order countermanded, so I will try and finish. We passed through twenty three tunnels of various lengths on our route. We followed the Potomac River for most of the way, as you will see by the map, and it is a large stream the whole distance. From Grafton to the Little Kanawha is a rough and wild country of new settlements and a small snow storm made it dreary somewhat. Parkersburg is a large place with strong Secesh proclivities. The vote for the new state of “Western Virginia” came off the day of our arrival and I suppose it was carried for the new state as they felt confident of success. The trip down the Ohio was fine of course fair weather but somewhat chilly, but kept on deck most of the time during daylight. Cheers, salutes and various patriotic demonstrations all along, especially from the Ohio side. Portsmouth, Ohio and Maysville, Kentucky are the principal places on the river. Did not go ashore at Cincinnati as ‘twas not “according to orders” and then I remember my rambles there years before. It looked quite natural. A new Catholic church on Mt. Adams and the “Spencer House” and the principal new features. Covington is a fine city of some ten thousand inhabitants and I saw something of it as we laid “in waiting” at the depot all day Sat. Many things I must omit for the present, as I desire you may hear a “little something” from me. I am glad to say I am in excellent health and have much to thank a kind father above for in these my wanderings and I trust I may [be] permitted sometime to meet my dear ones again and enjoy the recollections of this experience in its purest form. The Union people take a very cheerful view of affairs and predict an early close of the war and for such we all hope and pray. I need not tell you how fondly and constantly my thoughts have wandered homeward and how eagerly I await tidings from Home! No word since a week ago last Sat. at Newport News. Expect a mail hourly and you can imagine the scene as we feel far far from home. Well, how are all the good and dear friends? I trust well. Wrote Allie and Bro F’s folks yesterday as soon as we pitched our tents. The weather is very chilly, but ‘twill soon be warm. The grass is very green and farming work is begun. Remember me as ever to each and all friends whom distance only endears. Write me as ever and believe me ever your loving Brother Jerome P I hardly know how you should direct letters. Have ordered them to Washington. Am just informed that it is “Lexington, Ky. via Cincinnati, Ohio.” Reg., Corps, etc. as before. Please communicate this. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Although the letter indicates that Jerome was Abbie’s brother, Abbie was actually his sister-in-law, i.e., Allie’s sister. Abbie (Abigail) Jaquith was born in 1836, and she died in 1915. Allie (Albinia) Jaquith was born in 1834, and she died in 1920. NOTE 2: The term “Secesh” was used at the time to designate a supporter of the Confederacy during the Civil War. NOTE 3: William S. Rosecrans (1819 - 1898) was an American inventor, coal-oil company executive, diplomat, politician, and U.S. Army officer. He gained fame for his role as a Union general during the Civil War. He was the victor at prominent Western Theater battles, but his military career was effectively ended following his disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19 -29, 1863. He was subsequently reassigned to command the Department of Missouri. Rosecrans was briefly considered as a vice presidential running mate for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. After the war, he served in diplomatic and appointed political positions and in 1880 was elected to Congress, representing California. NOTE 4: The “Soldier’s Letter, etc.” notation on the envelope was written on the upper right-hand corner of the envelope, where a stamp would normally be affixed. Charles T. Canfield, who was 38 years old and from Worcester, Massachusetts, was the chaplain of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment from August 28, 1862, until October 20, 1863, when he resigned. The rubber-stamped note “Due 3” was apparently stamped over Canfield’s hand-written note by a post office official. An identical note written by Canfield (and also the “Due 3” note) appears on several of Jerome’s letters. Canfield (and Jerome) apparently believed that this notation would make it unnecessary to affix the three-cent stamp required for a letter at that time. However, it appears that they were mistaken. Whether or not the three cents postage due was actually collected from Allie could not be determined. It is interesting to note that in more recent times, U.S. service personnel in war zones have been allowed free franking privileges by writing “Free” or “Soldier’s Mail” in the area of the envelope where a stamp would normally be affixed. There is also a faint notation on the envelope that reads “No Stamps”. NOTE 5: Henry Clay (1777 – 1852) was an American lawyer, planter, and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Clay helped elect John Quincy Adams as president, and Adams subsequently appointed Clay as Secretary of State. Clay served four separate terms in the Senate, and he ran for the presidency in 1824, 1832 and 1844, and unsuccessfully sought his party's nomination in 1840 and 1848. In addition, he created the Whig Party. Clay died on June 29, 1852, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 75. He was the first person to be lain in state in the United States Capitol rotunda. He was buried in the Lexington, Kentucky, Cemetery. The Henry Clay Monument, shown below, was erected at the cemetery in 1857 and consists of a 120-foot tall Corinthian column surmounted by a statue of Clay. The remains of Clay and his wife Lucretia rest in two marble sarcophagi on the floor of a vaulted chamber at the base of the monument. Clay’s estate, known as Ashland, is also located in Lexington and is now open to the public. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Abbie, March 30, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Abbie Lexington, KY. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Abbie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-03-30 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Barb Davidson (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.5 X 3.9 6.5 X 9 11 X 9 6 X 9 6 X 9 11 X 9 6 X 9 jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #94 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Lexington, KY. Abbie Jerome Peirce Lexington KY. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/c670afb7aff9f74174c3c2293baffe68.jpg 2b517a022973a8638fc4ec7c6c179171 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/d4a5b7757e7043d798116e0ff0b999e9.jpg 84b4fa7ddb236ad7ddd5aab200822e43 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/34d39b392c3c90a75b4e2f6a3914322f.jpg c8dbd50d11b17150ba37c0b928bef306 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/983991d639519fa27112795604e9a3d5.jpg 5a4289da06484fddbeb8b810b02f1741 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Lexington, Ky Sunday P.M. Mch [March] 29th 1863 My dearest wife, In glorious old Kentucky! A beautiful sunny Sabbath and have just got our temporary tents pitched and have just taken a little cold lunch and the next just moment I will send a token to you. I can hardly express my feelings as I attempt to write you! After just one week of continual excitement and change of scene through the vast and varied scenery of our magnificent country! I have sent you accounts from Baltimore, Cumberland, Md, and Cincinnati. Arrived at the latter city at 7 o’clk P.M. on Friday. Remained on board till yesterday morning when we crossed the river to Covington, Ky., a fine city of some ten thousand inhabitants and waited all day till 5 o’clk P.M. when [we] took [railroad] cars to this place. Arrived about daylight, or before, managed to get a little sleep in the cars (cattle cars with rough seats) and the first object that met my gaze from the right hind door was the Clay Monument, a splendid shaft, 132 ft. high, to Henry Clay. And it seemed we were but a few rods from the cemetery and a mile from Main St. Washed up at a spring near by and visited the monument and the cemetery. Cannot describe the settings now in full. Remained at the cars till about 12 No [Noon] when we marched over here a few rods on a beautiful spot and very much like the College grounds at Cambridge, not so artistic, but equally pleasant, fine large trees, grass as green almost as are found. Fine old mansions all about us, the city in view, one old tower like the old church at old Cambridge, and indeed it looks very much like it, every way. So you may judge we are pleasantly located as we are more so than ever before. Of the future, it is said we are to remain here for the present on the defensive, a fixed camp here, but ready at any moment to check raids and enable Gen. Rosecrans to keep his whole force unbroken. There is a grand old Union stock here and we are well received, and with some surprise so far from home, etc. We are about 72 hours from Boston by rail and can get our mail almost as soon as in Virginia. Have received none since a week ago last eve. And you must know I desire much [to] hear from you. Have been very well on the passage and feel better still. It is cool and Marchy here but the country looks forward here and there are fine gardens all about us. Citizens and ladies are already calling on us and when we get our tents “stockaded” or raised as at Falmouth, we shall be fixed very pleasantly. The people here take a very cheering view of affairs and predict an early end to the war. This section is the only country left where they can make raids stealing various stores for the Army and with Gen. Burnside and the troops in the larger cities no doubt exists but what we can protect it and thus destroy the last hope of the Rebels. Church services in the Penn. regiment this morning and enjoyed them much. Prayer by Mr. Brown, the chaplain, and the Lieut. Col. with singing and remarks appropriate to the occasion made a very interesting occasion. Then Ben E. strolled awhile together, talking over home, associations of the spot and Burns, the poet! To think I am under the shadow almost of Clay’s Monument! You must look at the maps and follow me better than I can describe. Of course, we lost sight of much fine country in riding in the night but ‘tis very lovely here. Will write friends as fast as I can find time, but shall be very busy for some days. Am grateful for being so safety but so far from home and trust all’s for the best and may this find you all in health and cheer. Love to all and as ever your loving husband, Jerome The chaplain and I are getting more acquainted. He has a copy of Shakespeare like mine. At Cincinnati. P.S. Sent you quite a letter from Cin. [Cincinnati] and with some little pieces for Lulu. Kiss her for me and tell her Papie never forgets Mama and little Lulu and looks at her little picture often. J. H. is well and visiting here. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: Henry Clay (1777 – 1852) was an American lawyer, planter, and statesman who represented Kentucky in both the United States Senate and House of Representatives. Clay helped elect John Quincy Adams as president, and Adams subsequently appointed Clay as Secretary of State. Clay served four separate terms in the Senate, and he ran for the presidency in 1824, 1832 and 1844, and unsuccessfully sought his party's nomination in 1840 and 1848. In addition, he created the Whig Party. Clay died on June 29, 1852, in Washington, D.C., at the age of 75. He was the first person to be lain in state in the United States Capitol rotunda. He was buried in the Lexington, Kentucky, Cemetery. The Henry Clay Monument, shown below, was erected at the cemetery in 1857 and consists of a 120-foot tall Corinthian column surmounted by a statue of Clay. The remains of Clay and his wife Lucretia rest in two marble sarcophagi on the floor of a vaulted chamber at the base of the monument. Clay’s estate, known as Ashland, is also located in Lexington and is now open to the public. NOTE 2: William S. Rosecrans (1819 - 1898) was an American inventor, coal-oil company executive, diplomat, politician, and U.S. Army officer. He gained fame for his role as a Union general during the Civil War. He was the victor at prominent Western Theater battles, but his military career was effectively ended following his disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19 -29, 1863. He was subsequently reassigned to command the Department of Missouri. Rosecrans was briefly considered as a vice presidential running mate for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. After the war, he served in diplomatic and appointed political positions and in 1880 was elected to Congress, representing California. NOTE 3: The “J. H.” that Jerome referred to in this letter was Joseph H. Peirce. He enlisted as a Private in Orange, Mass., on August 4, 1862, at age 18. Jerome also enlisted in Orange on the same date, but as a corporal. Jerome was 31 years old at the time. According to the Unit History, Joseph H. Peirce was taken Prisoner of War at Pegram Farm, Virginia, on September 30, 1864, (See Letter No. 227) and he was later exchanged. He was discharged on June 21, 1865. Joseph H. Peirce was the son of Joseph Peirce, one of Jerome’s brothers, and was, therefore, Jerome’s nephew. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, March 29, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Lexington, KY. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-03-29 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 5.4 X 3.45 5.9 X 8.75 11.15 X 8.75 5.85 X 8.75 jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #93 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Lexington, KY. Allie Jerome Peirce Lexington KY. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/19d3fe2272c584b6aa7b9cc5d931837f.jpg 8839389784695fd7badbed3fef428a6f https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/31e65b65a1da4f5613c49c97a31e1d60.jpg 5ec87520e6b5106bf780170dcdf899fb https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/f6bc05a0cc015172d024fa595efcd220.jpg 2102fd09e859e6dfb555a558c00d2840 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document “Baltimore & Ohio Rail Road” Near Cumberland Mch 25th 1863 Dear Allie Mine, I have been taking notes since we left Newport News. All uncertainty is passed and we are indeed “Westward Ho” probably for Tennessee. Of course it seems hard to be sent so far from home but it may, and doubtless is, “all for the best.” We color guard are in one car, iron, and have plenty of room, seats of rough boards. Rations of soft bread and coffee with cooked pork have been issued, so all goes well. I feel much better as I get away from the sea coast and shall be in excellent health. In the confusion and din of travel, I cannot write a letter but I know how anxious you’ll be to hear from me so shall mail it at every chance. We are passing through the grandest scenery along the ‘Potomac’ and the mountains. I opened my testament this A.M. and in Psalms I saw “Thy testimonies are wonderful”! And surely they are in these rivers and summits. Frank Crafts is writing home at every stop for wood and water. I received your last at NN [Newport News] on Sunday and when I shall hear from you I cannot tell but it will be forwarded. Of course we could see nothing of Baltimore as we were not permitted to go over the river but got a “general view” as we came out. It is larger than Boston and famous for towers and steeples. We expect to boat it from somewhere near or at Parkersburg, down the Ohio to Louisville, Ky. A chance to mail at Cumberland. Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Frank G. Crafts enlisted as a Corporal at age 24 from Charlestown, Massachusetts, on July 24, 1862. He was transferred to the Veteran Reserve Corps (V.R.C.) on May 31, 1864. The Veteran Reserve Corps (originally the Invalid Corps) was a military reserve organization created within the Union Army during the Civil War to allow partially disabled or otherwise infirmed soldiers (or former soldiers) to perform light duty, freeing able-bodied soldiers to serve on the front lines. It existed from 1863 until 1869. NOTE 2: The conditions on the train are described in the Unit History, almost exactly word-for-word as in his letter, as follows: From March 23 to March 29, 1863, the men of the 36th went by steamer to Baltimore and then by train freight cars, outfitted with rough board seats, to Parkersburg, West Virginia, and then again by steamer to Cincinnati, Ohio, and on to Lexington, Kentucky. They remained there, except for a short assignment back to Cincinnati to deal with possible riots during an election. Those riots never materialized. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, March 25, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Cumberland, MD. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-03-25 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Ben Raterman (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.88 X 4.57 6.51 X 9.47 11.18 X 9.48 jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #92 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Near Cumberland [En route by Baltimore and Ohio Railroad from Newport News, Va. to Cincinnati, Oh.] Allie Cumberland MD. Jerome Peirce Railroad https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e1429f01c7abd52cf7a5585263aa6cba.jpg 57316ec204bed75a5f8cb371d260dd48 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/9e1b7e1d4aeae35cf540121c71ddc7f6.jpg ee9d8418f0858d92d5e9e67b0959db91 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/d9bc3a1540a65cf4507c406c9a14a412.jpg 2c4ec16db581892f8cbdceff04af4064 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Chesapeake Bay P.M. 23rd, Mch/63 My ever dear Allie, Nothing particularly new to write but I know how eagerly you will look for some account of each step in my wanderings. Well, yesterday P.M. as expected orders came to break camp and march and so after waiting at the landing for some little time before dark we went on board the “Kennebec” steamer for Baltimore. Left at an early hour this morning and after a few moments waiting at the fortress steamed up and have had a very pleasant passage. It is about 4 o’clock and we expect to reach B. [Baltimore] before daylight but will not land till after. Expect to encamp between Fort McHenry and B [Baltimore] city. Capt. Sawyer is “officer of the day” whose duty it is to see that all is orderly on board. We have half of the 36th and portions of the 43rd and 100th Penn Regts. on board. The rest are on board the “Mary Washington” who is a faster boat and left us some time [earlier] this morn. Co. B. is on board of her so I miss some of my usual companions. Time passes very pleasantly. Have read some and played euchre and studied the geography of the bay. I never can admire it too much and as I write. Its deep blue looks lovely in the extreme. The Maryland shore on the right is far off while the left, Va., is much nearer and plainer to the view, while numerous craft in and outward bound removes the lovely appearance. Men are about decks writing up their letters, diaries, etc. I need not say how good it seems to be heading north and I fondly hope we shall remain in the vicinity. The story has been that we are going ‘west’ but the strong suspicion is that we will not get far that way. Altho ‘tis possible. We may surprise some of the northern people by and by. I will not now relate all I suspect about it. The “Kennebec” is an old acquaintance of mine for many a time I have seen her leave Boston for Portland and Bangor. Slept on deck with J.H. where I now [am] writing sitting on my knapsack. You did not mention how long you would remain in and around Boston but I suppose you will return to B. [Billerica] I mailed a letter yesterday to you. You had better send your letters to Washington and perhaps they will stop at B. [Baltimore.] At any rate I shall get them. Hope a mail will meet us there for when we are moving it seems particularly pleasant to get letters from home. Am in good health and spirits and feel quite pleased that I am going to B. [Baltimore] as I desired much to visit it. Still, we may not get a chance to go to the city but enough for historical lesson. Ben Edmands’ wife has gone to Wheeling Va. as a sort of governess and companion in a pleasant family and it is pleasant for both as she was ambitious to do something. What a deserving race these little wives are! Must leave a chance for a word if the letters are not called for till morning. Tell me all about your visit to B. [Boston]. Received a letter on Sat. Tuesday morn. All right at Baltimore. Going ashore soon. All well. As ever, your Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Ben Raterman and Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: The following information from the Unit History describes where the 36th Massachusetts Regiment was located in March of 1863. On February 10, 1863, the regiment moved to Newport News, Virginia, where it remained in camp until March 22, 1863. From March 23 until March 29, 1863, the men of the 36th went by steamer to Baltimore and then by train freight cars, outfitted with rough board seats, to Parkersburg, West Virginia, and then again by steamer to Cincinnati, Ohio, and on to Lexington, Kentucky. They remained there, except for a short assignment back to Cincinnati to deal with possible riots during an election. Those riots never materialized. NOTE 2: The USS Kennebec was a Unadilla-class gunboat built for the U.S. Navy following the outbreak of the Civil War and was named for the Kennebec River. Kennebec was launched on October 5, 1861, in Thomaston, Maine and was commissioned at the Boston Navy Yard on February 8,1862. She was decommissioned on August 9, 1865. No information on a Union ship named Mary Washington could be found, and no ship by that name appears on a list of Union vessels in use during the Civil War. NOTE 3: Captain Christopher Sawyer enlisted as a Captain at age 28 from Templeton, Massachusetts, on August 22, 1862, and he commanded Company H of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the company that Jerome was assigned to. Sawyer was discharged on account of disability on February 19, 1864. NOTE 4: Benjamin B. Edmands enlisted as a Private at age 27 from Brookline, Massachusetts, and he was subsequently promoted to Corporal. On January 20, 1864, he was discharged for promotion as a Lieutenant in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, March 23, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Chesapeake Bay, VA. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-03-23 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Ben Raterman (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.56 X 9.39 11.3 X 9.45 6.51 X 9.4 jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #91 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Chesapeake Bay, VA. Allie Chesapeake Bay VA. 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For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Transcriber’s Note: This letter consists of several short letters or notes written by Jerome over the period from March 22, 1863, to March 27, 1863, while the Regiment was travelling from Newport News, Virginia, to Cincinnati, Ohio. They were probably all mailed together. The postmark on the envelope that probably contained all the letters reads Cincinnati, Ohio, and is dated March 27, 1863. Sunday Mch [March] 22nd, 1863 Prospect of clear weather. Snow disappearing. Reading in the moving. Received my “Warrant” of Corpl. dated Aug. 28th 1862. Prepared for inspection. P.M. Orders came to “Pack up” and soon marched to the landing. Eve. [evening] before dark went on board Steamer “Kennebec”. Remained at the pier til morn. [morning] of … Mond. [Monday] 23! Left N.N. [Norfolk News] about 5 A.M. with steamer “Mary Washington” which had on board two or three of the Lieut., Capts. Cold and chilly. Remained a few moments at the Fort and soon got orders for Baltimore. Saw the big “Union Gun” a little way off, outside the Fortress. Towards noon. More mild, very pleasant. Made some coffee, washed up and feel decidedly better. Read in “Othello” this A.M. All quiet on board and prospects of a pleasant trip. A thousand speculations as to our final destination. Tues. March 24th 1863. Arrived at Baltimore at 3 ½ o’clk. A good trip. Remained on board til about 5 o’clk P.M. when went on board [railroad] cars and started for the “West”. So at last we are going “West!” It is said we are to report at Louisville, Ky. The Color Guard Messrs. Whipple, Co. C, Crafts, Co. B, Boyden, Co. E, Hartwell of Co. A, Avery of Co. K and Sergeants Perry of Co. D, and Putnam of Co. C, color bearers. A ‘gay’ time in prospect! An iron [railroad] car and excellent accommodations. 36th on one train. “Relay House”. ”Ilchester” and “Ellicott’s Mills” before dark. All fine views on the “Patapsco” [River]. Beautiful scenery. Retired. Wedns. March 25th1863. Arose at daylight and soon at “Harpers Ferry” where we had hot coffee. Marched thru the ruins of the Armory buildings to get it. Sad looking ruins but one of the finest mountain and river views in all the S. [South] and makes one feel like fighting for the country. High rugged rocks, broad and rapid rivers at this point. Still onward to Martinsburg where I felt indignant at the scenes of ruins of fine bridges and railroad buildings. A fine country and frequent pickets and troops guarding [rail]road. 126th N.Y. Regt. A.M. Soon touched the Potomac [River] again. A grand stream, deep rocky cuts, and wild scenery of the “Blue Ridge”. Next station “Hancock”. Noon. Ate dinner of soft bread (received at Harpers Ferry), molasses and cooked pork. Grand scenery along the Potomac and the mountains. Passed thru the tunnel about ¼ of a mile thru. The other trains in sight. Go very swift sometimes. 20 cars in our trains. P.M. 3 o’clk. Cumberland, Md. Quite a large place. Canal. Flour mills. Several churches, etc. surrounded by mountains. 175 miles from Baltimore. Fair weather. Mailed a letter home. A little past 4 P.M. Continuation of grand mountain valley and river scenery, the finest of the North. About dark. At Piedmont. Had coffee, nice and hot. At “New Creek” a few miles back, and pleasant chat and general good time. 14th Va. Regt. on guard duty, loyal and hearty fellows. Piedmont is near the coal region, quite a town but very dusty. Singing, chatting and taking notes all day. Still on the “Potomac” but the Alleghanies begin here. A solemn mountainous region. River rapid and still quite wide. The four trains have met and a stirring scene, so many troops moving. So much for a grand Rail Road! Shall be detained here for an hour. So ends this day. Shall lose much of interest in night riding. Jerome Thurs. Mch. 26, 1863 Noon, at “Central Station” where we stopped about an hour. At Grafton this morn., where we took the ‘Virginia Central’ R[ail] Road. Snowstorm Cornwallis. Wild scenery and several tunnels. Still snowing 2 P.M. A wilderness. About 5 P.M. We just arrived at the Ohio River at Parkersburg. All well. Love as ever Jerome Fri. Mch. 27, 1863 Co. B Boys sitting about on knapsacks writing, chatting and Ben Edmands nearby reading Shakespeare. A few moments later went on Hurricane deck, boat stops at “Catlettsburg” the first town in Kentucky, at the mouth of the “Big Sandy” River. Sun out but very chilly. Fine deck view of the country. P.M. Closed a letter home. Fri. Mch. 27, 1863 Went on board the steamer “Boston”, a fine large boat last eve. Shocking accommodations on lower deck, horses, and finally a “coaling up” this morn about 4 A.M. drove us into the engine room where dust and racket reigned supreme. Got coffee and went up to the grand Saloon where Co. B are quartered. It is still and where I am writing. Expect to stop at Cincinnati for the present at least. Scenery on the River monotonous, but the stream broad and quite full. Boat moves very swift. Fri A.M. 27th Mch. 1863 Ohio River on board steamer “Boston” Well, my dear ones at home, does it seem as though we are so far separated? What a strange fortune that I should be sailing down the grand Ohio! I have taken a few notes along as I could for in the confusion and excitement of travel we make sad work of letter writing, but you will know that I am well and only a little fatigued from the effects of travel. Had quite a comfortable trip on the [railroad] cars. 380 miles from Baltimore to Parkersburg VA. at the mouth of the “Little Kanawha”. From there to Cincinnati is 280 or so miles. Have been out on the Hurricane Deck this A.M. We are now opposite Portsmouth, Ohio where we shall touch. Quite a large place. (You must follow me by looking on the map). No. [Noon] We passed on amid cheers and a salute from a small gun on shore. The Scioto River comes in here and the union [is] quite wide and picturesque. The banks of the river are hilly and a little ways back from the river but level at the banks. ‘twas quite cool in the morning but a little warmer, nearly noon. I can give you but a poor account of my travels at present. It seems like a dream and I think of you at home constantly and long for a mail. Don’t know when we shall get one. Various rumors as to our destination. I presume the papers at home have it as well as I can inform you. Some think that we shall stop at Cincinnati and others that we will proceed to Louisville. Expect to reach C [Cincinnati] tonight and hope we shall for we hope to be settled and get rested for we need it. Have coffee twice a day and a new kind of hard bread, very nice too as far as that goes. All’s well. I mailed you a letter at Baltimore and a line at Cumberland. A lad kindly offered to put it in the [Post] Office. Hope you get it. J. H. is well. Has not written much since we started. Cannot write, only you for the present, and am out of stamps and money. Hope to see the paymaster soon. The people are glad to see us here and all believe in a speedy close of the war, for the Rebels are in terrible straits for everything. Well Allie what do you think? Are you well? Hope I shall get a mail in C. [Cincinnati] for it seems a long time since I have heard from home. P.M. Have just had dinner and returned to the deck. The drummers are practicing but I thought I want to add a word so to get the letter for mailing. I will write you from the first halt and sometime will give you more. Please tell the friends to be patient. It is hard to write at all, so much noise and confusion from sightseeing. Shall try to keep well and you must keep up good spirits, for I feel as tho’ I should be with you before a very long time. All are in good spirits and have enjoyed the trip very much. Surely I am seeing something of the country. Love to each and all. Write me often, direct to Washington at present and we shall get them all right. Hope you will be able to read my scrawls. I have enjoyed my little Lu’s picture ever so much, if I had yours! As ever you own loving Jerome I send you some pieces of muslin I picked up in Fredericksburg and had them in my dress coat pocket ever since. Perhaps little Lu would like them. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: According to the Unit History, on March 23, 1863, the men of the 36th went by steamer to Baltimore and then by train freight cars, outfitted with rough board seats, to Parkersburg, West Virginia, and then again by steamer to Cincinnati, Ohio, and on to Lexington, Kentucky. They remained there, except for a short assignment back to Cincinnati to deal with possible riots during an election. Those riots never materialized. NOTE 2: Jerome was undoubtedly mistaken as to which unit he observed on guard duty. The 14th Virginia Volunteer Infantry Regiment was an infantry regiment raised in Virginia in May of 1861 for service in the Confederate States Army. It fought with the Army of Northern Virginia from Seven Pines to Gettysburg, served in North Carolina, then saw action in Drewry's Bluff. The 14th participated in the Petersburg siege and ended the war at Appomattox. He likely observed the United States 14th Infantry Regiment, which also served in the Civil War. The regiment was retained after the Civil War and has seen service as a light infantry regiment in the Boxer Rebellion, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and subsequent military operations. During the Civil War, the regiment was part of the Army of the Potomac and saw its first combat action in the Peninsula Campaign. It later fought at Antietam, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, Wilderness, and Petersburg. NOTE 3: The several men of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Battalion mentioned in the letter are all listed in the Unit History as being in the companies which are referred to. NOTE 4: Benjamin B. Edmands enlisted as a Private at age 27 from Brookline, Massachusetts, and he was subsequently promoted to Corporal. On January 20, 1864, he was discharged for promotion as a Lieutenant in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers. NOTE 5: The “J. H.” that Jerome referred to in this letter was Joseph H. Peirce. He enlisted as a Private in Orange, Mass., on August 4, 1862, at age 18. Jerome also enlisted in Orange on the same date, but as a corporal. Jerome was 31 years old at the time. According to the Unit History, Joseph H. Peirce was taken Prisoner of War at Pegram Farm, Virginia, on September 30, 1864, (See Letter No. 227) and he was later exchanged. He was discharged on June 21, 1865. Joseph H. Peirce was the son of Joseph Peirce, one of Jerome’s brothers, and he was, therefore, Jerome’s nephew. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, March 22-27, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Newport News, VA. Cincinnati, OH. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-03-22 through 1863-03-27 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Paul and Louise Marahrens (Transcribers) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6 X 4 3.75 X 5.5 3.75 X 5.5 3.75 X 5.5 3.75 X 5.5 3.75 X 5.5 3.75 X 5.5 3.75 X 5.5 3.75 X 5.5 3.75 X 5.5 3.75 X 5.5 3.75 X 5.5 6 X 9 10.75 X 9 6 X 9 3.35 X 8.35 3.35 X 8.35 jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #90 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant En route from Newport News, VA. to Cincinnati, OH. Allie Cincinnati OH Jerome Peirce Newport News VA Newspaper clippings https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/bf4ba2f59f0f01b401c0d62b90449685.jpg 8e62f58ec67e62164a39506102f969fc https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e4172ad3ab777ee2c481e2bff3e131b6.jpg 7de01c329cb2401798f66f1968b497e5 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Sunday Morn 22nd Mch [March]/63 My dearest wife, The sun is out once more and still we remain here but expect every hour to be called to march. Thought I would just say a word, not to tell you any news. The ‘story’ still is that we go “west” but I still believe it when fairly on our way. Have had a dismal time for the last few days, so very stormy but sun is appearing and soon all will be dry and sunny. Received this morn my ‘warrant’ which I shall send home by advice of the Capt. so you will have an opportunity of seeing the doc [document]. Take care of it. One sergeant and one corp. [corporal] failed to get their warrants, so a vacancy in the sergeants, and two or three corpls. [corporals] are to be appointed. Your letter from Boston came last eve. Hope you will find much pleasure in your visit. I hope my friends will not think I am a traitor just because I happen to be in the field and am cautious in my judgment as to the conduct of officers. I see a thousand things in our experience to make me so, and for Copperheads no one loathes them more than I do. I would gladly perform my duty in extinguishing them in a professional way. So don’t blush for me. I pray for what in Heaven’s name can I do more to prove my sincerity than bear like a good soldier the life in the field. And it looks quite “cool” for folks comfortably fixed at home to feel too anxious about our opinion about one who is just beyond the power of evil and if he deserves it. I trust he will be kept there by all means. I trust this will end the matter. All is confusion and I cannot write you what I would for Sabbath morn. [morning]. I shall hear of you often and all your moves. May you be kept in security and peace especially of mind which “passeth understanding”. Give my love and adieus to all friends and let us hope for an end to the present trials and a happy reunion. As ever your loving husband, Jerome Peirce. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: The Unit History provides the following information about where the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was located around the time this letter was written. On February 10, 1863, the Regiment moved to Newport News, Virginia, where it remained in camp until March 22, 1863. On March 23, 1863, the men of the 36th went by steamer to Baltimore and then by train freight cars, outfitted with rough board seats, to Parkersburg, West Virginia, and then again by steamer to Cincinnati, Ohio, and on to Lexington, Kentucky. They remained there, except for a short assignment back to Cincinnati to deal with possible riots during an election. Those riots never materialized. NOTE 2: In the 1860s, the “Copperheads” were a faction of Democrats in the Northern United States who opposed the Civil War and wanted an immediate peace settlement with the Confederates. Republicans started calling anti-war Democrats "Copperheads,” likening them to the venomous snake. Those Democrats accepted the label, reinterpreting the copper "head" as the likeness of Liberty, which they cut from Liberty Head large cent coins and proudly wore as badges. By contrast, Democratic supporters of the war were called War Democrats. The “Copperheads” represented the more extreme wing of the Northern Democrats. Republican prosecutors accused some prominent “Copperheads” of treason in a series of trials in 1864. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, March 22, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Newport News, VA. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-03-22 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.65 X 9.52 11.6 X 9.51 jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #89 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Newport News, VA. Allie Jerome Peirce Newport News VA. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/34b2ea59c1ed5cab988bc5d6943a7899.jpg d6b33e52b022506feedd9a26c80f8486 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/828ba4b45d39055bfe349e1ceb24c5da.jpg e57d62b10c93d79e0a1ac1e22fac4b6f https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/760a4e0618fa57b4e8dbb0ccffe267f8.jpg dbcaf181af7dac31d79547b3005ed037 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Newport News Va Mch [March] 20th 1863 My ever dear Allie, Winter, winter! All at once! Yesterday it looked foul and hailed all day and towards night it commenced snowing and has furiously ever since, so we can almost rival you at home. And I passed most of my time in other tents where there were fires, for it has been the worst time to keep comfortable we ever had. I am sitting here with two blankets over my lap, overcoat on. Have just drunk a cup of tea, and by the way Co. B boys gave me some tea and you need not send any more for the present and for still another season by and by. I must answer while I think of it a few questions. Capt. Sawyer has not been at home, nor will and if he did he could not go away from his course. He went on regimental business to Frederick City and Washington and returned day before yesterday. About your letters, I can read them very easily and I am thankful for them. And now Allie dear, I have to tell you that a change is taking place, in short a “movement” and for your dear sake I hope some of it is not true. The troops have been moving for some days and but for the storm, we should have been gone. It is said we are going to the ‘Western Department’ to join Gen. Rosecrans in Tenn. or Kentucky. We are to report at Baltimore as soon as possible. A great movement of the Rebels is expected as soon as the roads are passable in Kentucky and we are to meet them. Capt. S. [Sawyer] says we are certainly going there. He is eager to go but I shouldn’t be surprised if we went on the coast and remained at B [Baltimore] but such are the positive affairs now. One thing, I know my health will be better away from the salt water. Have not been quite as well here as when in the country and I shall have a great chance to see the country. You must muster up your courage and feel “all’s for the best” if we can’t hear quite as often. I am fully in the belief that the war will end ere long and I shall see you again. You must not expect much of a letter this time and this is doubtless the last I shall write from this place to you. I shall keep a ‘diary’, and tear out the leaves and send [them] you as often as I can. You will hear from Baltimore. My cold is better and I fell well, and when the weather settles I shall be all right. Wrote Abbie yesterday in hopes you would see her. Shall write Henry Peirce a short letter this P.M. Everybody is in good spirits tho the O [Orange] boys don’t entirely like going west. I expect we go from B [Baltimore] to Wheeling and so to Kentucky. If so, shall make all the notes I can. Expect you are having a ‘big’ storm and perhaps you did not go to Boston. Don’t know when the next word from you will catch us, probably at B [Baltimore]. And now let me tell you to send your letters to Washington again as formerly and they will be forwarded. They say we are to be paid off in a few days. I hope so and will forward you as before. 1st April is set as the time [for] 4 months pay the Capt. says. The captain is very happy and it seems good to see him again. I hope now, dear Allie, you will keep up good spirits. There is one who watches over us and I sometimes feel as tho he had special care of our Regt. Don’t worry about accidents for we enjoy a great deal on these moves! We shall do a great deal of R [Rail] Road travelling. Shall take good care of myself. Enjoyed your last letter much good and to feel you appreciate the Scripture[s] so much. We did indeed ‘wander’ when at O [Orange]. I used to feel it bitterly and it had much to do with my spirits often and I trust there is a happier future when the present clouds are passed. I hope you will find pleasure in your visit to B [Boston] and that I shall soon hear from you. Jos. H. is again all right and wrote home today. Have not heard from Jamestown for a long time. Wrote Lucy yesterday. So you will hear from me somewhere. The O [Orange] boys bear you in memory but you must hardly expect them to write for they do much of their own. A kiss for Lulu. When shall I meet you again? I can think of nothing more and there is confusion in the tent. Howe is the lieut. [lieutenant] and is with the Captain. So our Co. is “O.K.” and good fellows too. Love to all from your ever loving husband Jerome P. P.S. The postage on the box was all right I suppose. I hope the Govt. [Government] will not lose anything on what soldiers send home. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: The Unit History summarizes the movements of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment in March of 1863 as follows: On February 10, 1863, the regiment moved to Newport News, Virginia, where it remained in camp until March 22, 1863. From March 23 until March 29, 1863, the men went by steamer to Baltimore and then by train freight cars, outfitted with rough board seats, to Parkersburg, West Virginia, and then again by steamer to Cincinnati, Ohio, and on to Lexington, Kentucky. They remained there, except for a short assignment back to Cincinnati to deal with possible riots during an election. Those riots never materialized. NOTE 2: The “Western Department,” also known as the Department of the West, was a major command (Department) of the United States Army during the 19th century. It oversaw the military affairs in the country west of the Mississippi River to the borders of California and Oregon. NOTE 3: William S. Rosecrans (1819 - 1898) was an American inventor, coal-oil company executive, diplomat, politician, and U.S. Army officer. He gained fame for his role as a Union general during the Civil War. He was the victor at prominent Western Theater battles, but his military career was effectively ended following his disastrous defeat at the Battle of Chickamauga on September 19 -29, 1863. He was subsequently reassigned to command the Department of Missouri. Rosecrans was briefly considered as a vice presidential running mate for Abraham Lincoln in 1864. After the war, he served in diplomatic and appointed political positions and in 1880 was elected to Congress, representing California. NOTE 4: Captain Christopher Sawyer enlisted as a Captain at age 28 from Templeton, Massachusetts, on August 22, 1862, and he commanded Company H of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, the company that Jerome was assigned to. He was discharged on account of disability on February 19, 1864. NOTE 5: Lt. William L Howe enlisted as a Private at age 23 in Orange, Massachusetts, on August 4, 1862, the same date that Jerome enlisted, and he was assigned to Company H, as Jerome also was. He received a commission as a Second Lieutenant on January 30, 1863. On July 7, 1863, he died of disease at Milldale, Mississippi. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, March 20, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Newport News, VA. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-03-20 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.64 X 9.68 11.33 X 9.76 6.58 X 9.56 jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #88 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Newport News, VA. Allie Jerome Peirce Newport News https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/a38c7c2e47194b308bc19a65ab30a6a1.jpg b7c597d440aa588873beb82a7bdae207 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/d896aeb2b9f48d03bb03ad594f893890.jpg 1a2b0f6fc8b62f9dfc1635894f9042a4 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/67882f16e2776c47f94f3bc45e540e2d.jpg fe9ef03719aff87e4cdefbac89017415 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/75bf6de9155b4c008c624888019b205a.jpg 251b71326f99caebb3153bc7b83a8952 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Newport News, Va 16th Mch [March] /63 My dearest wife, Yours of the 13th came today and how can I express my thanks for the picture? If I only had yours to go with it. Well my dear wife, yesterday I wrote I was ill with a cold, have been on duty today omitting one drill only and I am some better and shall come out of it by and by. It is but a few moments daylight and I thought I would begin tomorrow’s letter. I showed Lulu’s [picture] to Corpl. Mayo and some they, who had seen her, they pronounced it excellent and how much comfort I shall take with it. I can see considerable change and not for the worse. I hope she will be as good as she is “otherwise.” She looks well and I trust she will remain so. But that every move in our tent is retented to many others. I should have pressed the little dear to my lips! and how much it made me sigh for home! Tues. AM 17th. And then I was interrupted and that’s the way we have to write. Am first in from Battalion drill. A beautiful mild day, very warm [compared] to what we have usually had. Am feeling quite well again today tho my cold is not quite cured. Ben E. called at my tent this a.m. and had a pleasant chat. He thought Lulu’s picture was very fine as a picture and a pretty little creature she is. It lead to a serious talk and we have both often questioned ourselves whether we did wrong to leave our dear ones for this life and did I feel that the whole people at home were so. I feel some may be. I should feel myself most wicked but no, there is, it seems to me, such as a great result if we do our duty that all these trials are more than counterbalanced and the government must be sustained or we must perish together. Had a letter from Lucy also yesterday. She said she expected you to make her a call or “visit” soon and by your mention of going to Boston I conclude you intended to go that way, hope you will. Of your going to the City, I know not what to say. If there were not “a better land” where the trials and griefs of the life were not forgotten we should be miserable indeed. I can only pray that you may bear up and feel sustained by another hand, not mortal, and we finally may see that all’s for the best. Such has been the lot of those generations who lived in times of war and public [???] and how many they have been! I can but hope that you will find something that will throw around you a more cheerful influence. Perhaps I ought not to speak so for I know you must be busy and it grieves me so much to know you are constantly struggling with your feelings. I know from experience what fearful times these are, but enough. P.M. Dear Allie, Shall I attempt to finish this? No letters from anybody today. They have just raised a rural arch in the centre of the Regt [Regiment]. Co. “C” next to ours, you know. It arches the street a framework some 20 feet high and covered with pine foliage for an ornament like one or two other reg[iments] and will look pretty. It looks like staying here at present. Jos. H. is better and is outdoors somewhere. Did not see his last letter from home of yesterday, so can’t tell the news. Presume all are well. I begin to feel a little like Spring, yet tired easily but when Mch. [March] is gone hope to be all right. I know this is not much of a letter. But you will have something to know me by if I was with you would do better. Tell me all your moves and adventures. Shall hear tomorrow I suppose. As ever your loving husband, Jerome Tell Lulu a little girl came to see me on a card [picture] and looked so much like Papie’s little girl that I have to look at it very often. Papie always sends a K [Kiss] to Lulu and Mamie but I have no one to give me those from you. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Corp. Henry H. Mayo enlisted at the age of 21 as a corporal in Orange, Massachusetts, on August 4, 1862. Jerome enlisted on the same date. He was killed at the Battle of the Wilderness on May 6, 1864, just a few days before Jerome was killed at Spotsylvania Court House. NOTE 2: The “Jos. H.” that Jerome referred to in this letter was Joseph H. Peirce. He enlisted as a Private in Orange, Mass., on August 4, 1862, at age 18. Jerome also enlisted in Orange on the same date, but as a corporal. Jerome was 31 years old at the time. According to the Unit History, Joseph H. Peirce was taken Prisoner of War at Pegram Farm, Virginia, on September 30, 1864, (See Letter No. 227) and he was later exchanged. He was discharged on June 21, 1865. Joseph H. Peirce was the son of Joseph Peirce, one of Jerome’s brothers, and was, therefore, Jerome’s nephew. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, March 16, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Newport News, VA. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-03-16 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Peter Rainey (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.89 X 4.72 6.61 X 9.45 11.6 X 9.32 6.69 X 9.49 jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #87 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Newport News, VA. Allie Jerome Peirce Newport News VA.