4 10 134 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/c54e39109aba35007eb83c257cc3e458.jpg 245de1c1280448f124cbc545b512479c https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b899a4df7ca23785edd86f640595f4ac.jpg 3dd1a0b393982e72cb32ab36e86fd81a 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 LETTER TRANSCRIPTION Monday morning July 27th [1863] Last eve. after I closed yours, yours of 13th with one from Billerica came to hand and I was of course much interested in all your moves. Lulu is certainly a prize and I hope she will be as good a girl as she seems attractive. I think, as I before mentioned, that I have all your letters. The mail is sometimes delayed but it comes at last. I receive the “Register” regularly. I know the draft is making a stir but if the people expect to save and have a country, they must meet it, for those in the field are becoming weary and worn while others have remained with their loved ones at home and have we not such? I wish with all my heart that we were keeping house and could have cousin Lottie with us but it don’t seem so ordered but I trust she will find some pleasant and easy lot. My love to her. I suppose you have heard ere this the news from Orange. David Miller was shot dead at Port Hudson on picket. Dan’l. Mayo is crazy from [???]. Sad times. Jos. H. came to see me last eve. Had a drenching rain after I closed my letter last eve. and wet everything thru as my tent blew away. Your letter came thru in eight days being directed to Cairo. It seemed good to hear so lately. Must close as I am a little short of paper just now. Am not [sure] where I can buy any. (have plenty of money), but I shall get some by and by. Shall send with this my “diary”. Am keeping another which Alonzo gave me. [‘Tis] dirty and worn but you will see a little (what with my letters) I’ve been doing. Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: The year that this letter was written is not indicated on the letter. However, a review of the calendars for 1862 through 1864 for which Mondays fell on May 27 shows that it must have been written in 1863. That conclusion is confirmed by a comparison of the contents of this letter versus the contents of the letters written before and after this one. 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. NOTE 3: 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, July 27, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie New Milldale, MS. 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 1863-07-27 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 6.75 X 9.45 6.75 X 9.45 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 #144 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Probably New Milldale, MS. Allie Jerome Peirce New Milldale MS https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8ec5374cb32e77e61a61b732ab8004ba.jpg 467561889cfbb4a8d50af5a37c2fa42c https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b7f7eff54ce7270f36b8521b3b23403e.jpg 4ab7bbd713b67493fbdc3dd5fa803eb3 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/f83360ad990f60fc2950b816fce2de56.jpg a6d0fb125ee19e99c0b98132f30add7d https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/2e3451e12a9156a55cc4ccd70bc21205.jpg 1509f4a4518559822092def27570af74 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0ce21af20e37b2bf5f1702592f739ed5.jpg 3dd7dc9153b39535429eec5b95d833b9 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3f6c0bf56db20cf141d946fe03208b5a.jpg c0d66a37758d8b995eff4d58b122ab15 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/6b8ec50b5ec7596122cf9e246cef86f4.jpg a45b01cae41f442ff09dacbe74cd33f1 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 LETTER TRANSCRIPTION New Milldale, Missi[ssippi] Sunday P.M. July 26th 1863 My ever dear Wife, How shall I tell you the relief I feel to be again quietly in camp and to get breath that is not tainted with either dust or gunpowder? We left here the P.M. of the 4th and ever since it has been one incessant strain on the strength and you will receive some hasty account of it perchance taken at different places. We went for work in light marching order. “Ruf and ready” was the word every moment. Well, it is another Sabbath, a lovely one, quite warm this A.M., but now P.M., we are having a gentle cooling shower. Fri[day] I had just closed your last letter and marked a headboard for poor Buxton when the order came, “Detailed for the Varioloid Hospital!” I trust you will not be alarmed at this for I am in good health and constantly in the open air with plenty of means to bathe and take every precaution and I have no fears, but shall try and do my best for the poor fellows. I tell you just how things are and we must trust to the same good hand that has led me so far in health and safety. Capt. Hastings of Co[mpany] ‘I’ is the chief, having just recovered from a light case. A most excellent, genial and Christian man. H.C. Woodward is the other and we three are the “attendants”. The ‘Hospital’ is nothing more or less than our shelter tents pitched high up from the ground and about fifty rods from the camp near the woods, a very pleasant spot. Yesterday the patients, fifteen in number, were removed and [the] orders came to cleanse and clean up so P.M. was a busy time. Expected the regt. was to move (Dr. Tyler is here talking) but, lo, this noon came a fresh case from Co. ‘C’ and when the thing will end we don’t know. We are having an easy time at present and yesterday got our “Descriptive List”, a doc[ument] which enables us to draw our pay wherever we may be and what all detailed men receive. On the whole, after such a road-weary time as I have had of late, I feel quite as well off and yet we all desire first and last to get back north. But we must wait, wait patiently, for the end and am I not having an experience? How much I could tell you if I could only be with you, that I cannot even think of. I think of much when on the march or when in my tent abed and I think I will surely speak of that in my next [letter] and then when duties come, all’s gone. Abbie tells me, and you too mentioned it, that Aunt Wyman has passed on. Well she is at rest. I fear I shall never have any opportunity to see any of her relatives about Yazoo City as we shall doubtless leave here as soon as the case will allow and [as] for the Rebels in this state, they seem to be scattered to the four winds. It is a strange scene here at Jackson. I mentioned how the soldiers “foraged”, “confiscated” ([in] polite terms!). All along the country you see books among other things. A man will take them a little ways and get tired and away it goes for the next one. Fine libraries seem to be the great thing with the first classes here, and choice books are easily obtained. I am now writing on a copy of Mrs. Hemans poems, same edition that sister Kate has. Shall try and get it home but hardly expect to. Got Lulu’s book in the same way. We have a stray vol[ume] of the Waverly Novels, fine large edition. Also Sparks’ “American Biography” and so on. Account books, letters, Masonic records, etc. etc. without number, [are] scattered through the camps. And such is war! May I never participate in another! But what of home and all the dear ones there? And what of the public affairs? We have had glowing accounts of the fighting in Penn[sylvania] and a victory over Lee and then comes a “modification”. How we pray that he may be totally destroyed and an end come to this most wicked affair. To stand at the graves of our boys and think of it, the heart aches. Poor [Augustus] Bliss. I seldom or never felt so sad towards one who was not a relative. He was beautiful in death, fair as marble but, oh, the aching hearts at home. He was always dutiful and prompt and kept clear of the vices of Army life but his work is nobly done and it is well. He lies nearby at the edge of the woods where the birds are singing and noble trees wavering over him. We have one of our Co. down with the varioloid, a severe case, Corpl. Sawin of Westminster, another fine fellow. But I was talking about home and I need not tell you how much my mind dwells there and if we remain quietly here by the sick how eagerly the mail will be watched. No excitement of the march, nothing but frailty for companions, as the men don’t come here any more than possible, of course. I was much surprised and grieved at Dr. Willis’ death and he must be a great loss to the community and we feel as tho a friend had gone. The funeral services here are necessarily simple and brief. A rough box is all for a coffin. The chaplain recited an appropriate Psalm and prayer and slowly the ‘boys’ move back to camp and all of earth is closed with the weary soldier boy! But I am growing tired and perhaps sad. I have spoken freely, Allie, because I know you will wish to know the truth and will have the fortitude to bear all. War and its horrors are a family theme now and many shadows are abroad all over our land, and we must look at and keep a hopeful spirit. I feel that I am being schooled, for what I cannot tell. I hope to receive another mail before we leave here. Shall feel very anxious to hear from you and about Lulu. Give her a kiss for Papa. Tell her I shook hands with a little Mississippi girl the other day. She was very pretty. We were resting beside the road at “Cameron’s Plantation” (the last halt) and she came out with her father, for she looked like him. Could not quite understand her name but it sounded like On-lulu. Told her she had shaken the hand of a Mass. man and her father said the one she loved best, next, of course, to her parents, was a Mass. lady from Fall River, who was her teacher but [she] returned home when the war commenced. Told [her] of my little Lulu but she went bounding off after her papa. I sent you in my last (of last Fri[day] 24th) Mr. Gerry’s poem in dialogs between mother and child with some little cuts from the same paper. Tell Abbie and other friends I will write soon. Excuse the looks. Campaigning is hard on writing materials. Ben E. is well. Shall not see much of him for the present. Now, Allie, keep up good heart and don’t let imagination add perils. Danger in some form is our lot and I have become used to it. Shall take the best care of myself possible and write as often as I can. Give love to all. Have not seen Alonzo for two days. Accept with the entire love of your husband, Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: The following excerpt from the Unit History (Page 71) describes the conditions in the Regiment toward the end of July 1863. “On July 23rd at eleven o’clock AM, after a match of fourteen miles, [we] arrived at the old camp at Milldale. The condition of the regiment at this time was miserable indeed. Sixteen cases of small-pox and varioloid, three being officers, were under treatment, and the regimental hospital was filled with sick. The adjutant’s morning report of July 24th was as follows: 6 offices and 98 men present sick, 63 men absent in hospitals, and 25 officers and 343 men present for duty. It was a season of general depression among all, and the only thing to relieve the gloom was the prospect of a speedy departure for the North, an event most anxiously awaited and desired.” NOTE 2: In reference to Jerome making a headboard for “poor Buxton,” the Unit History states that Charles W. Buxton died of disease on July 23, 1863. He had enlisted at age 18 from Phillipston, Massachusetts, as a Private and was assigned to Company H, the same company that Jerome served with. NOTE 3: The term “varioloid” was a common 19th century name for smallpox, but in the following century, the term would be used more specifically to describe milder forms of the disease that occurred in previously vaccinated individuals. Smallpox was a devastating disease. On average, three out of every ten people who contracted it died. Those who survived were usually left with scars, which were sometimes severe, and some were left blind. The basis for vaccination began in 1796 when an English doctor, Edward Jenner observed that milkmaids who had gotten cowpox did not show any symptoms of smallpox. However, widespread vaccinations did not occur until considerably later. During the Civil War, it was standard practice to physically separate the men who had contracted the disease in an area away from the main part of the camp to prevent its spread. NOTE 4: According to the Unit History, both of the other two “attendants” who worked with Jerome in the “Varioloid Hospital” died from illnesses not long after this letter was written. The exact causes of death are not specified in the Unit History; however, it is possible that they contracted smallpox while caring for the smallpox victims as described in this letter. “Capt. Hastings” was Christopher S. Hastings. He joined the Union Army at the relatively advanced age of 48 from Berlin, Massachusetts, on August 22. 1862. He died at the Mound City, Illinois, General Hospital on Sept. 8, 1863. According to the Unit History, “He was the senior officer, in years, in the regiment, and was universally respected. His age exempted him from military service, but he obeyed the instincts of patriotism and yielded his life at his country’s call. His fellow citizens bestowed upon him important trusts, which he fulfilled with rare fidelity. He was a brave, cheerful, patriotic man, winning the affection of men, who regarded him as a father.” “H.C. Woodward” was Hiram C. Woodward. He also enlisted at a relatively old age, i.e., 40, on July 31, 1862, from Orange, Massachusetts, and served in Co. H of the 36th Massachusetts Regiment, as did Jerome. He died on August 10, 1863, at Camp Dennison, Ohio. NOTE 5: The “Dr. Tyler” mentioned in this letter was Warren Tyler, who joined the Union Army from North Brookfield, Massachusetts, on August 21, 1862, as an Assistant Surgeon of the 36th Massachusetts Regiment. He resigned on October 20, 1863. He was subsequently appointed as an Assistant Surgeon in the 57th Massachusetts Volunteers Regiment, but he declined the commission. NOTE 6: Felicia Dorothea Hemans (1793 - 1835) was an English poet. Her works appeared in nineteen books during her lifetime. After her death, they were republished widely, usually as collections of individual lyrics and not the longer, annotated works and integrated series that made up her books. NOTE 7: In writing about the “glowing accounts of the fighting in Pennsylvania and a victory over Lee,” he was referring to the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which resulted in a decisive Union victory on July 3, 1863. NOTE 8: Augustus E. Bliss enlisted as a Private at age 18 from Orange, Massachusetts, on August 4, 1862, the same date that Jerome enlisted. He died of disease on July 24, 1863, at Milldale, Mississippi. NOTE 9: Harrison P. Sawin enlisted from Westminster, Massachusetts, at age 21. He died of disease on November 24, 1862, at Knoxville, Maryland. NOTE 10: The “Ben” referred to in this letter was Benjamin B. Edmands. He 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 11: Abbie (Abigail) Jaquith was Allie’s younger sister. Abbie was born in 1836, and she died in 1915. Allie (Albinia) was born in 1834, and she died in 1920. NOTE 12: 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, July 26, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie New Milldale, MS. 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 1863-07-26 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 6.45 X 4.1 6.45 X 9.25 11.25 X 9.45 6.25 X 9.45 6.25 X 9.45 11.75 X 9.45 6.75 X 9.45 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 #143 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant New Milldale, MS. Allie Jerome Peirce New Milldale MS https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/72e38511dd391074cccf43aa7919ee53.jpg cc464a58185a898b84f0a85fdf7a4abe https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e8b1633dbea89117cce7689c80d6f3ae.jpg 05708a8f4e3baca9213928f0b02ff832 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 LETTER TRANSCRIPTION Wedns 22nd [July 1863] My dear Allie, Early morning. No chance to mail this so I add a line. A hot tiresome march from the R [Rail] Road to the old camp and then on Monday morn. and Tuesday to this place, Big Black River, on our way to Vicksburg where we expect to take transfers for the North at some point on the Ohio [River]. A sad, terrible march for the men, many dying on the way of exhaustion and dysentery, but I am still preserved in excellent health. Obtained a little help by a ride on J.H.’s team yesterday P.M. and expect to jog on early today. I need not tell you how welcome your letter of the 6th July from Billerica, reading as while halting for dinner and everything seems more and more to the crushing out of the rebellion “right soon”. The North seems at last awake and things this way are decidedly “all up” for the rebels and their cause and the prisoners taken all curse the whole thing and wish an end. ‘Twas a Mass. [Massachusetts] Regt. [Regiment] that planted the flag at Jackson [Mississippi]. The 35th [Massachusetts] Regt. made a charge into the city. No more now. Shall mail this the first opportunity. A thousand thanks for Frank’s photograph! Fri. 24th Dear Allie, At the old camp scene Milldale! and no opportunity to mail this and just now it is announced that no more mail can go yet as I expect we leave for the transports to go up the river. We may rest a day or two. I cannot tell you half I wish to but I keep writing a little that it may reach you sometime. This morn. yours of the 9th July came, also Abbie’s of the same date and a “Register”. We long to get home and settle near together with other young friends of ours. No, Allie, give me dear Old Mass. We’ve had a terrible sad time in this Jackson [Mississippi] campaign, and I cannot write you the scenes of marching. Young Bliss of Orange is now lying dead a little way from me to be buried today. Died last night from brain fever. I saw him in the eve. and how I felt for his friends! He was a faithful soldier and a good boy and will find rest. He was [a] brother, you know, to Maria Bliss, the teacher. We have lost two others from our Co. [Company]… TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: This letter is apparently not complete, with a section or page missing at the end. NOTE 2: 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. NOTE 3: Augustus E. Bliss enlisted on August 4, 1862, at age 18 from Orange, Massachusetts. The Unit History confirms that he died from disease on July 24, 1863, at Milldale, Mississippi. The 1860 U.S. Census shows that Maria was a sister of Augustus, two years older than he, and that their father was a farmer in Orange. Augustus Bliss and Jerome enlisted on the same day and likely were friends even before they enlisted. 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, July 22-24, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Milldale, MS. 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 1863-07-22-24 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 6.45 X 9.25 6.45 X 9.25 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 #142A Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Big Black River, Camp at Milldale, MS. Allie Jerome Peirce Milldale MS https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/52f432003d3a53c293ba52773a41566f.jpg 9792db2616c31bc66e8f085cc3c2d327 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/6c3233d5af2545b3a3eef66368eaa5b2.jpg 442b7fbb73e0769e451d4330947d8f90 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/f7654591e951311f004464e650322808.jpg ff3fdcc966f3071bd9bd22077911ee0b https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8b81791016f705fd32aadee12a663a59.jpg f34f3841e6a1fe4a15513d8047cf5bf8 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/2a4c5ddcc0290dd2dc42cfd5b2066bcb.jpg 7a6f5de8edb492b2cde93c1ea354f993 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/58b13f114a245918c8281ad51d69a198.jpg 3b809fd02815f2de1327756ce1862451 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/947538fbb44ab215a2cff5b2503b55df.jpg 657603148a4e962fed60fa74ad05f043 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/9c0f7e87c090fbcb7e6bcd7a349f134f.jpg 1fc135fc7da04412ed878ae6e85550e7 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 LETTER TRANSCRIPTION Missi Central R. Road, 8 miles from Jackson, Sunday Morning 19 July 1863 My dearest Allie, Since my last another change, and move, and I send a few lines altho’ don’t know when it will be mailed. I wrote you last, last Wedns. that night about 10 o’clk and all the men remaining in camp able to do duty were detailed for Picket duty. “Color Guard” and all, so we remained about a mile from Camp till dark Thurs Eve. I was on the “Reserve”, and did nothing but act as one of an “escort” to Col. Lasine who came by to visit his Brigade on the extreme left of our lines. Another incident, while we were gone, the rebs threw 32 lb. solid shot into our Camp so you see the protecting hand over me. Fri. morning. Great cheering on the Right! and behold, Jackson is evacuated!! The Rebs have skedaddled, and our boys are in the City, and ransacking and even burning a portion of the City and dense columns of smoke roll up and the boys come pouring into Camp with various trophies, and sugar, any amount. Well, it is the state of the Arch Traitor himself, and no mercy, altho’ the guards try to protect, as much as possible. I did not leave Camp, as I never do, or very seldom. Pack up and start is the word and about 11 o’clk, we moved off for “Grant’s Ford” on the Pearl River to intercept the rebs. Marched some ten miles and rested while the Pioneers went forward to build a bridge. But soon came the order (Sat. morn) to move, and we went “across [???]” at this point where we arrived last eve just before dark, some ten miles from yesterday morning’s Camp. It is expected we leave today for somewhere, we hope “up the river.” From all accounts the Rebel Army is demoralized and dispersed, and news keeps coming of successes, which we receive with caution. This morning, “they say,” Charleston, S.C. is ours! Well, my Allie, can you realize what a tiresome, busy time we’re having? Our stop near J.[Jackson???] gave me an opportunity of [???] up as I had lacked appetite for some days before, but altho’ “hard tack” is scarce (we’ve been on “half rations” since we came here) we have an abundance of fresh meat, (as they drive the cattle along and butcher every night), and we manage to procure plenty of corn, and roast or boil it, and a few potatoes. The change proved an excellent thing for me, and I am feeling as well as I have at any time. We are now camped beside the railroad, on a level plain with thick grass and woods on the rear. It is cloudy and cool and very comfortable. Now there are many questions I ought to answer. I have written to Dan P.[,] Jamestown. Had a letter from Bowen a few days since. Said it had been received but they couldn’t make him (Dan) write his friends. Did not speak very encouraging[ly] of him (D). Had a nice letter from Charles Smith on Fri. when we got in from Picket. Tell him I got the “Liberator” (Garrison‘s Papers) while on the Morgan scout in Ky. I have every reason to believe I receive, “after a while”, all my mail matter and what a comfort. But, now we are constantly on the move, and get very tired and cannot write all I desire to. You will readily see the state of the [???]. Jos. H. came to see me yesterday. He is well, but has been “driven to death” of late is driving for the 79th N.Y. Regt. 3rd Brigade (we’re the 1st). Said he had had no time to write home for many days. I try, and do write his folks as often as I can. He is all right and well and more manly than ever. Wrote to Billerica on a day or two ago. I write them regularly. Shall write to Foster’s family again soon, wrote them just before we crossed the “Big Black.” Am delighted with the photographs of Kate and Ellen, excellent. Wish I had your own. Of Alonzo, he is well, and bears his work finely and I see him almost every hour. So, his friends can consider him as well, up and doing and rides a fine “bay” horse, and yesterday had a pretty “bouquet” hanging to his sword hilt, where obtained I know not. Well, Allie, I must close for now for I want to wash up and get some water for our canteen, so to be ready. Here is a sketch of my shelter this morning. Here you see me, rubber blanket pitched with guns and sticks and so with you a Kiss adieu Jerome P.S. There are some pretty flowers here. Prairie flowers. The purple fade[s] out if I attempt to press them. I enclose some pink, very pretty, as they look in the field. Hope they reach you in good condition. J[Jerome] We think it a good joke feeding on Jeff’s Corn. P.S. 2nd Noon The men have come in and we go to Jackson this P.M. Have just got hold of a book by Mary Howitt for children which I shall try and send home to Lulu, a pretty book with pictures. ‘Twas got at Jackson. Don’t say much for I may have to leave it. Had boiled corn, peach sauce and meat for dinner. Rumor says, five of Johnson’s Regts. came in and gave themselves up today. A mail is awaiting us at J. [Jackson]. Very hot today. Transcriber’s Note: This is the end of page 6. The text does not seem to follow. Perhaps some text is missing. The following is the start of page 7. And Capt. S. is hardly expected to recover. Oh, it is a sad time, but as you said in yours, before this, I am in the hands of the good father and so far have been spared marvelously, for I am quite, yes, very well indeed, only a little weak, and languid from the heat, but appetite is good. I rode on teams [of horses], and had my things carried the last two days. Did not allow myself to get fatigued. Now, I hope we will soon be further North and I shall take a furlough the first favorable chance. Dear little Lulu. I thought she was in perfect health! Do take care of her, perhaps the salt water air will be good for her. I send her some little pictures from the “S.[Sabbath] School Gazette”. Allie, this is a poor scrawl but have got much to attend to today, for we are all in a poor condition. after the long, dusty marches. I have often told you not to be alarmed at my long silence, so I trust you have not been so. I have always tried to keep my letters to you often and regular but it was impossible to do differently this time. Thanks to sister Abbie for the contents of her letter. Yours, once more, and ever Jerome P.S. Ben E. [Edmands] has come in, and brought some ripe figs! Delicious! I wish you could taste! Says he hopes he will not do anything to influence me to your grief. Sends regards. 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, July 19, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Jackson, MS. 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 1863-07-19 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Paul and Louise Marahrens (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 7 X 4.25 6 X 9 11.45 X 9.25 6.45 X 9.25 6.45 X 9.25 6.45 X 9.25 6.45 X 9.25 6.45 X 9.25 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 #142 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Eight miles from Jackson, MS. Allie Jackson MS Jerome Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/33b1f956d8abf8b0613729393d7eda67.jpg 07aa398d8075d1bcc3aecaa070f32b7d https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/aa73dadae485f65b20410f54bceb6ec3.jpg a69d9c0ee9e2c071676937507d67516b https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/716ecde76ee2b91d851bfdf242bff7e6.jpg 8139e652b232f5a57346f073c9f657b1 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 LETTER TRANSCRIPTION Transcriber’s Note: The parts of the letter that precede this page are apparently missing. Jul 15, 1863 … for sometime as Grant takes more time and “bags” all he can. All things now point to a speedy close of the hard fighting. Official accounts continue to come in of successes all around and the rebels here and well discouraged. Yesterday during a flag of truce the rebs came out and talked with us or our boys. Regretted that we should be fighting and wished ‘twas over with and there are many conscripts here who will not hurt us if they can help it and but for the leaders, ‘twould soon be over with. We can see of the dome of the capitol at J. [Jackson] on a little hill a few steps from here and where I went this A.M. to see the artillery practice. The guns crack away every five minutes. Benjamin’s Battery is playing away but rebs does not reply very often and then over or under shoots. We have learned to be quite indifferent to the din and danger of these things. I tell you these things not to alarm you but that you may know that I am wonderfully spared so far and I see no serious danger near. I take as good care of [my] health as possible and after what I passed through marching here and in the first days work in the woods in front, I gave myself little trouble. We have been able to procure a little corn, some potatoes and I have with a plenty of fresh meat something still to live on. I see by a letter from Mary (at O. [Orange]) that Dr. Willis is dead of diphtheria. This was sudden and a great loss. Jos. Henry was well last Thursday and in good spirits. Goodard, I think, will recover. Do not think it is serious. Went to see him day before yesterday but they are now moved further to the rear. All sorts of stories are in camp about our going North and but I suppose when Jackson [Mississippi] falls we leave for Cincinnati. We have some delay about the mails and you must not allow yourself to worry because you don’t receive letters promptly. I write twice a week. They promise us that this mail will leave promptly. Rec’d a “Journal” from B. and two “Registers”. Alonzo is nicely and writes today to Ellen. Has just left me with some paper, etc. as their baggage was all behind. We came in lightest order. Knapsacks have come up tho all right. Am glad you have the prospect of remaining with Marion. Do… TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: The parts of the letter that follow this page are apparently missing. NOTE 2: Based on the text, this letter was written in the vicinity of Jackson, Mississippi. NOTE 3: 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, July 15, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Jackson, MS. 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 1863-07-15 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 7 X 4.3 7 X 9.3 7 X 9.3 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 # 141 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 Jackson, MS. Allie Jackson MS Jerome Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/37086cf362ca8d084594b29abdfe7501.jpg b5d7b40c7af9eb74a039a61bada5a1ee https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/d3d2de3616644a39a0ff9f7def37f3f3.jpg d11c0ee6907f39e551695fa5642421bc https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/7fe59652495835ea260911d0d90b44c4.jpg f881307f710d676e6c3b3fce78957420 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/4525f148a16d99a863eceddaadd77020.jpg 5cf76cedf353ce42c8d07317d4c839a7 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/cc4910b17cc4459b64b8bbd9f203f089.jpg 3b4f645a953e4a20aebfb0d0a18b336e https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/008c193c82c7eb5e7f6dd900baa7dd9b.jpg 5a87287455cdb53a37a5324078b11864 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 Tuesday 3rd Feb 1863 My ever dear Allie and Lulu, Here we are writing once more, J.H. to O [Orange], and your letter of the 28th is before me and I have read it over and over and it done me a great deal of good and many things came right home to the heart. The subject and interesting matter and the spirit too was in it, forgive me the expression, and if I even insinuate a difference in your letters for I know they all come from loving faithful wife but we all feel in different moods at times but sense here you seemed more like the maiden days of old in it and did not admit quite so much of care and trouble into it, perhaps, besides you had much that was particularly interesting to communicate. And now I propose, if not interrupted, to write you a long letter in return and how shall I begin? Well, I’ll take yours for a guide and I do indeed reciprocate your wish that the present separation may turn our hearts to the days of [???] when we spoke in most tender and loving words and how much we should cherish them! And for my own part, the life here so far from searing over the heart only causes me to recall and cling to the sweet and tender memories of the past and however poorly I may express myself, it is nevertheless true that I feel more like myself as I was at C [Charlestown] since I came here then when I was at O [Orange]! This may sound too strange to believe and I might not seem to you so, but I feel so. There is much to call out the quiet meditative tendencies than you would think and as Sister A [probably Abbie] says “If I live to see home and peace again this experience will not be in vain” etc. You spoke of the contrast in my pictures and of shedding tears. I do not chide you nor wonder at it. I used to feel myself that I have changed and felt it too more than I could express, however I might have seemed to belie it in my conduct but you know time makes its changes in outward appearances but if we can keep the heart young, pure and loving, all is well and since I have been deprived of the quiet home joys, they come back upon me with tenfold hallowdness and I live as it were, upon them. I was glad to hear that they knew my book had come so that they might not be at trouble about it and that you viewed it as you did too for I have enjoyed so much already! And all such things tend to keep grosser things out of mind. Jos. H. and some friends in a neighboring tent have become much interested in Shakespeare. You would have been amused to see us reading “What you will” (“Twelfth Night”) the other day. I read it mostly aloud to J.H. yesterday P.M. Some of it is very funny and some very poetical and beautiful, a great favorite of mine and we read more or less every day so you see a soldier’s life is not all dire and bloody, but here in this camp I assure you I have lived some of my best moments and trust to many more if we remain. Was on guard duty last night about half a mile from here with three men in a pine woods, somewhat trimmed out. I walked a beat of an hour at midnight, clear beautiful moonlight, the wind gently sighing thru the trees and need I tell you how my thoughts turned to all that is dearest to me? I thought of the past, how you looked and Lulu tried to hear her prattle and your voice too as of old and I asked shall I even embrace them again in this world? Oh Allie dear, this was one of my best hours and the pine wood near F g [Fredericksburg] will not soon be forgotten, although surrounded as I was by all the uncouth trumpery of forage stores (for it was the supply headquarters for the forage trains) but “I looked up” and the clear calm starlight with moon and sky was shining on you and me alike and all grosser things were for the time forgotten. But of the ordination, it must have been exceedingly interesting and if honored names and impressive services will serve to seal and hallow a pastoral connection. I do trust that the people of B [Billerica] will fully appreciate the time and occasion and may it prove a harbinger of good works in the future and I trust the new pastor will find a home and hearty support such as one should have coming as he does enclosed by the grand pillars: Peabody, Hale, Ellis etc. How much would I liked to have been there. Surely it must have been an “occasion” in old B [Billerica] and I shall think of it and of you all with a deeper regard, if possible, than ever. It does seem as if there was material there, and to feel that you have a minister! Tell me all you can about it from time to time and above all take part and keep interested for so you will keep the darker and more anxious hours illuminated by social intercourse and nothing gives me more comfort than to know that as far as you can dutifully you are enjoying yourself socially. And now a word for our doings here. We have been in the [???] since yesterday morn for a “Grand Inspection” or looking over by Gen. Sedgwick, our new Corps Commander and so had to keep near camp, part of the time with equipments on, ready to “fall in” not daring to set about anything in particular when away in the P.M. we were mustered to sign the payrolls which looks like being paid off till 1st Nov. 62. So the day ended and this morning “Inspection” again and that wound up by a Battalion Drill of more than an hour in a cold wind and over rough ground but we got warmed up and no pay yet. Another item I hardly dare to mention, so you must not hope too much. The “Army of the Potomac” are being furloughed! One corporal leaves here from our Co[mpany] tomorrow if his papers get safely through. Every ten days first one goes, then two. I filed my application yesterday morn, stand somewhere about the 7th or 8th. So possibly I may see home sometime in Mch. [March] or Apr. but the following things may defeat it. A movement of the Army, drawing lots for chances as some of the Co’s etc., which might put off my chances longer. There is considerable feeling in the Co. because the Capt. don’t let the Co. draw lots but he told me he was acting according to instructions and I should be remembered. I am happy to state to you that I am on excellent terms with him as well as the Lieut. (J. Gird) from a consciousness of endeavoring to do right and my whole duty which I think they appreciate. And here I may add that my literary taste and the style of our visitors of late (Bros. [Brothers] F [Franklin] and J [Joseph]) have had their effect at headquarters (the Chaplain’s tent I mean) and I feel that they have a respect and confidence in me which I shall endeavor to deserve and retain. We confidently expect to be paid within a few days to Nov. 1st last. If so I shall retain enough to carry me home without delay, 10 days is the time allowed. I pay my own fare both ways but of this more in [the] future. Don’t think too much of it now. I gave Lulu’s message to the Capt. and yours. He always returns the compliment to you in regards and kind wishes or the same of the boys from O [Orange]. By the way, they have had a levee at O[Orange] (North) and heard by a letter from them (J and Mary) they took [in] some over a hundred dollars for the benefit of the soldiers, quite a thing for old O [Orange]! Had another letter from Henry Peirce this morn as I came in. I am delighted that the youngsters remember me and he is a fair little writer as you can see for I enclosed one if his [letters] in my last [letter]. Must get wood and mail this by 5 P.M., so must close. Recvd. two “Journals”. Will you send ma toothbrush and a little more black linen thread. Am so glad you recvd. the paper. Hope Lulu will be choice of her little pictures and things from Papa, as one of these days she will have quite a collection, which case, for a playhouse or box. Little darling, does she know I want her to remember and love me or my memory if Heaven wills it! Leaves etc. are much withered here but will send as I can. Love to uncle, his folks, I mean a word to all always. I will try and write all who write As ever Jerome Transcriber’s Notes: Note in margin at the top of Page 1 which indicates a serial number he assigned to his letters at times: No. 6th The envelope contained two small pieces of paper with the following texts. Piece of paper Number 1: I tell you Allie, you can really know the good mission to me if such reading as Shakespeare, Cowpers, [???] Milton, Scott’s “Lady of the Lake” and “Marmion” if I could get pocket editions. There is so much in the scenery and [???] to give a vividness and pleasure such as makes the cost mean in comparisons and all these small copies. I could manage to keep by me, for the present at least. Tell me if you get the… Piece of paper Number 2: …few days [???] Tell me if you can read this easily. My ink is poor. I have tried to write plain tho fine. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: The location from where the letter was written is not indicated. However, based on letters prior to and after this one and the history of the Army of the Potomac, it was written while the 36th Massachusetts Regiment was camped near Falmouth, Virginia, across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Stafford County. 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, his nephew. NOTE 3: When Jerome mentions “the style of our visitors of late (Bros. [Brothers] F [Franklin] and J [Joseph]) have had their effect at headquarters” he is referring to a visit by his brothers Franklin and Joseph Peirce who visited him at his camp near Falmouth, Virginia, for about two days starting on January 4, 1863. According to his letters, they made an excellent impression on Jerome’s superior officers. (See Letters No. 57 and No. 58.) NOTE 4: William Shakespeare’s only play with an alternate title is titled “Twelfth Night” or “What you Will.” NOTE 5: The “Lady of the Lake” is a narrative poem by Sir Walter Scott (1771 – 1832), first published in 1810. Set in the Trossachs region of Scotland, it is composed of six cantos, each of which concerns the action of a single day. NOTE 6: Captain Christopher Sawyer enlisted as a Captain at age 28 from Templeton, Massachusetts, on August 22, 1862. He was discharged on account of disability on February 19, 1864. NOTE 7: Lieut. Joseph W. Gird enlisted from Fitchburg, Massachusetts, at age 22 as a Private in Company F of the 25th Massachusetts Volunteers on October 4, 1861. On August 11, 1862, he was appointed First Lieutenant of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment but resigned on May 18, 1863. He was appointed Second Lieutenant in the 57th Massachusetts Volunteers on November 3, 1863, and was promoted in that regiment to Captain on December 31, 1863. Lieut. Gird was killed in action on May 6, 1864, at the Battle of the Wilderness, just a few days before Jerome was killed. 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 and Lulu, February 3, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Lulu Falmouth, VA. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie and Lulu 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 1863-02-03 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 6.84 X 4.48 6.3 X 9.41 11.07 X 9.28 6.43 X 9.28 6.12 X 3.97 6.2 X 3.9 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 #67 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Camp at Falmouth VA. Allie Falmouth VA. Jerome Peirce Lulu https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b06fe33fa1295b5090229dfc715e4e69.jpg a36cd7e9eeb1d28c6d01063837bfce03 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/489b70a2cc12c51fa423ee422ccaebba.jpg 0c900e5dd3e0ecce02a0773f616d5b8a https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/d38692b5d047f38a5510bdb7a6a0ebc3.jpg 04d0d448917f9ebc9bfd77812ddbac7d https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/08dbf01a879bbddddcdf98e7293f59c5.jpg a1247e90b7a8b167013a8c0c83c11d4e 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 Feb 1st 1863 My dear wife, It is a way along in the P.M. and have just got down to answer yours [your letter] of 25 Jan. I have received all the letters I think and I believe this is the 5th since I began to number mine. Yesterday and today were very busy days. Had hardy got my breakfast down when I was wanted to help chop wood the co. on picket So I got detailed for work nearer the camp, as they can’t compel me to go on picket, but I don’t object to work and I assure you I am quite formidable with an axe. Worked till noon, with a “squad” of men and came home and fixed up tent, improving it, little shelves made from bread boxes for dishes and various trays that we want handy [for] books, writing utensils, sewing [supplies], etc., dug out the fireplace some. This morning washed out two or three little articles, fixed shirt, put a collar on one of the worn ones and succeeded nicely. I prefer them to the others if I can have collars on them. You will ask what I made the collars of, of one of the swaitches [swatches]. I left them off sometime since [I] like it much better without them. The weather is fair again, quite windy today, no inspection, service or anything else, but a real Sabbath. And what shall I say? No news, only talk of furloughs and ten thousand rumors which made me think of “Heavenly” letter to the “Journal” from the old Sixth which Abbie sends me and without the fortifications or work on them would apply to the Thirty Sixth. I don’t understand about Abbie’s letter containing mine “of last Sunday”. Did I enclose one [letter] to you by mistake? Had a letter from Abbie yesterday. Received papers from you with wafers “all right”. Can find no proper stamps (one cents) and if I don’t reach you. I was sorry Lulu could not have the little paper I sent. She must take a kiss from Papa for her nice letter and wish I could give it myself. Had another call on Ben Edmonds the other eve (P.M.). You gave him the “Cider” poetry, pretty good. Told him to paste it up in his tent. Sent his regards to you. We have some good times. “We” I mean I do in Co. “B”, for I pass more really “congenial” moments there than I do in this Co. A fine set of fellows with Crofts and Ben E. here, no disorder but coarse and intensely selfish (private) with one or two exceptions, and by the way, an incident. We have a James E. Hills in our Co. who appears to be a cousin of she that was Cecilia Hills, who lives in Burlington [???] Merriam or Marrion as J.E. calls it. He had a letter from her in which she mentions me “who was a cousin of some neighbors of hers”, doubtless the Walkers. Mr. Shakespeare has made quite a stir with two or three in the Co., Hills one of them and W. L. Howe, two fine fellows. The latter was at Amherst Col [College] when he enlisted and we expected him for 2nd Lieut. But some “Hokus Pokus” and disappointed. There have been no new developments in regard to the Army, War, etc. and it seems to be taken for granted that we are in quarters and should be for some weeks. I hope so for the mind is fearful and our tents are “cosey” and I don’t see how we can accomplish much unless it is to come North and put down some of the treason springing up nearer home. What do you think? Am glad you have such pleasant times at the neighbors. My regards to all the good friends. Shall be glad to get Adam’s letters or “Burke” either. Abbie is going to send something in book kind I believe. Wish I had a pocket edition of Cowper’s “Task” same size, perhaps a little larger than Adamses [???] and a great favorite of mine. Have got to go for wood, so must close. Tell Lulu I hear some sweet little birds when among the trees and wish she could see them, tho I suppose you have the snow birds. The ‘boys’ all well and wish to be remembered to you. Shall look into the Register and Testament before I sleep, and so with love to all I am as ever yours Jerome Wrote you last Wedns. [Wednesday] Had a letter from Ed Peirce. I send you Henry’s and Dr. B’s. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: The location from where the letter was written is not indicated. However, based on letters prior to and after this one, in addition to information contained in the Unit History, it was written while the 36th Massachusetts Regiment was camped at Falmouth, Virginia, across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, Virginia. NOTE 2: The Task: A Poem, in Six Books is a poem in blank verse by William Cowper published in 1785. William Cowper (1731 – 1800) was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside. 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, February 1, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Falmouth 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 1863-02-01 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 6.66 X 4.49 6.47 X 9.38 11.15 X 9.27 6.46 X 9.34 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 #66 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Camp at Falmouth VA. Allie Falmouth VA. Jerome Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/604254f05d237ae72eecf7fb48d3e55a.jpg cafadf8862c026a077db6182b1deb25f https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/364c520d80ed1b2bd5985ae0c4ce160e.jpg f342b1104fb5cfa7e67d46b56e0268b3 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/77b21b48e36aa7a62babffbc9f58468f.jpg ff4f0b26e791610c1f961dc4ee7a7c43 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e869af8b74d8d3520b976c22abeabde3.jpg 94fbd9c952a3130992a7c577fd3ec2ba 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 Jan 28th (Wednes) 1863 My ever dear ones, Jos H. and I are curling over a warm fire while outdoors the elements are combined to make a most uncomfortable day. We have seen the sun but for a short time for a week, the Southern winter having fairly set in. It commenced raining again last eve. and this morning it turned to snow, and it’s terribly muddy and forbidding outside so that “movements” even for necessary purposes are well-nigh prevented. Have been reading the “Atlantic”, singing and trying to be a little merry perhaps and dinner is just over. So, I must devote a few lines to you. I suppose the papers have given you the items of the last few days – the resignation of Gen. Burnside, Sumner and Franklin. So we hear, and none but Gen. Hooker left and he [is] not in the confidence and respect of the Army, if report is true, and it even goes so far as to say he will not accept the trust, and add to this Gen. Porter cashiered, and it looks as though we were drifting on into accumulated disaster and ruin that nothing but a Devine hand can prevent, and for once things look dark, dark. Well, I have hope and a dear spot towards the North Star to turn to, where I call to mind the warm hearts and dear faces and me thinks I see you all, and hear voices and the little patting feet of our dear little Lulu, and if it is such a day as it is here with you, I can imagine you two, sitting near the fire and perhaps talking or thinking of those away! But what shall I say? Have received some letters since my last (of Sunday) from Mrs. Ellis (Walpole), Ellen P. and Will C. It seems Alonzo is recovering slowly tho he has been very sick. Said she had a “comforting” letter from you. I will send you her and Mrs. E.’s letter. Have answered both. I have a letter from Dr. Bickford. Would you like me to send it sometime? Nothing particularly new from Will and Frank. All well and W. was “Corporal” and not quite as much exposed to some hardships, for which I am very glad. It is a quiet, dull day in camp, all amusing themselves indoors with cards, checkers, to singing or reading. Had a long “confab” with Ben Edmonds yesterday P.M. Chatted over old times to a great rate, and reading matter in particular, a very congenial spirit and not a little of a poetical turn. His nephew tents with him and has a copy of Byron, a present which introduced much matter for talk. I send you also a little gem cut from the “Register” which Ben copied off, for he is a collector of gems of the kind. What shall I say to Lulu? I wish I had the faculty of talking to her, for I do want her to remember me. Oh what a “benediction” would a child’s face be here! What a world it would be without them! And out here how fearfully we realize it too, where it is a constant struggle with our coarser nature but we are not left defenseless if we but improve the means even here provided. How are you all and what doing? What do people think of things now? By the way had a pretty note from Lottie Waldo the other day in a letter to F. Croft. I added a word to her in one of his [letters] awhile ago. Full of friendly interest and literacy of course. Have written Lucy within a few days, so by and by I must have a few letters, hope one from you tonight. Trust you are all well. Lulu must write to Papa again for he wants to see her very much. Can she sew yet? Has she ever walked on the snow yet? Do the snow-birds come to see her? Heard a robin (and saw it too) sing the other day while chopping and how glad a sound but I fear he’s fled again now, so wet and cold. Hope Mary is well and may heaven keep you all for a meeting sometime. With love as ever Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES [Josef Rokus] NOTE 1: The location from where the letter was written is not indicated. However, based on letters prior to and after this one and the history of the Army of the Potomac, it was written while the 36th Massachusetts Regiment was camped near Falmouth, Virginia, across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Stafford County. 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. NOTE 3: 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. Ellen was one of Jerome’s 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 and Lulu, January 28, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Lulu Falmouth, VA. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie and Lulu 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 1863-01-28 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Charles Brewer (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 5.48 X 3.1 5.02 X 8.07 9.94 X 8.07 6.71 X 9.42 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 #65 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Camp at Falmouth VA. Allie Falmouth VA. Jerome Peirce Lulu https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/4dc6b9fb466ac2251dbe1095db1ac684.jpg 7384b6aa3a9d13c1199e659c7622d81a https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/70d12f3df9ab83205d88da47210bdcf0.jpg e2d5446e400d71222e44a26a1db32107 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0cb504826b6419897c2c85cd6e11b7b4.jpg d71652771a4b9661275a067a313de6bf https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/6edd976687f50a2ffad00c054f21d2f8.jpg d36de81cdf5f5a9f3d172289f76a3d95 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/fb758fe8bb0a1060d94e97c8b9939494.jpg 2951d0a7f329c36e2c9a418af3b8d6a6 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/f7366b1788a8e92fb7d8e0ada780ef53.jpg 7123c4490dd9ef5021ccedafb3a0a02d https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0afeb5bef0a1a208e4f916a3a5e0bdaa.jpg 901a8f0bfcf8bbd4a58147ac56fda6ad https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/d73a95dd4a3bd2f6d31f473988e37748.jpg 7b3c63186f319f3461408862b80aa1bf https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/add11f0c3bfe12e8be49ca3e92738f0c.jpg f0496cd7c33a2ef06cfc536074f63a9e 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 morning, 25th Jan 1863 My ever dear wife, It is getting along in the forenoon. Have just been doing up my work, washing dishes, cups, etc., and putting things in order in the tent. Jos. H. went on picket yesterday and has not yet returned. Expect him soon. Have put on some water to heat for his tea when he comes. Also, my largest cup sits in the fire in which I a boiling some pork, so we manage to keep ahead a little on victuals. So you can imagine me thus commencing Sunday on the Rappahannock [River]. Have just read again yours of the 21st received last eve., and how good it seemed to get one Sat. eve. You did not think to number your last two. I forgot to [number] my last but I have no doubt we get all the letters now, for I expect they have “looked after them” between N.Y. [New York] and Washington of late. But the mails are often delayed a little between here and W. [Washington] on acct. [account] of the immense amount of mater. [materiel], often bringing part at a time, as it takes whole teams to bring it, but of late, letters have come promptly. You will hear before you get this how the movements of the Army have been delayed by the storm. It has not fairly cleared off yet. We are now seeing the Virginia winter and I do not believe we can do anything for the present. I went out a short distance last Friday to see the troops (Franklin’s Corps) returning to their camp and it was a sight. They had to come back 8 miles to get rations. Near us, the going was so bad teams could not get to them. The plan was to mass the whole army except our Corps on the Right, we supporting the batteries here in front and acting on the Centre, at the favorable moment, and so compel them to move their Right and Center to the Left. This plan made a long march for Franklin’s troops. But’s “all up” for now at least and everything is quiet and muddy enough. Folks at home can form no idea of the thousand difficulties the weather alone makes for us, and together with the vigilance and advantage of position of the enemy so far, they must be patient. I used to think things didn’t move fast enough, but I have seen what it is to rush ahead at the call of the people, and like Gen. Butler, I have had some of my opinions “corrected.” I know there is much to make us weary and almost despair of the Country Government and all. But I cannot believe the vast upheaving is all in vain, and as I think it over, as I have deeply of late, I can see but one course. “Conquer or be Conquered,” for I now think if the South separate, our troubles are but first begun. For I think the South have deeper designs than mere slavery to preserve, and in fact, that will fade into insignificance if they could only worry us to an acknowledgement of their independence. They are [a] daring brave, enduring race and have a great “Southern Empire” in view, Mexico included. And I believe the French see this, by their attempts in Mexico, intend to checkmate or share with them in case of a possible separation. The people are discouraged and the Army much so and full of indifference, owing to not being paid, and the various hardships and defeats, so I cannot tell what is to come. I shall endeavor to do my duty till the end, whatever it may be. I enjoy your letters very much, always, and don’t wonder you feel discouraged, because you cannot see all there is to delay and trouble us, and am fully aware of the villainy. But still I say with Gen. B. [Burnside], “Be of good cheer.” We are in possession of more territory by far than a year ago. I hope for something more cheering and shall as long as life lasts. You spoke in one of your letters of sending the Capt[ain] a book. I discouraged you because I had sent for one and it had not come. It came last eve. with your letter. You may think I done wrong to buy it, but could you know how much, how very much comfort I shall take with it, you will not feel I am forgetful. I thought you could have $9.00 of the watch money and I would keep $3.00, so I sent for a copy of Shakespeare, a little, snug, fine-printed, beautiful copy, smaller than mine at home. And I fairly clapped my hands as the “Orderly” (the sergeant who gets the letters) handed me it. I got it of Crosby and Nicholas of Boston, who had to send to Philadelphia for it. Lippincott & Co. Edition. Cost $2.00, hence the delay in getting it. Mr. Ellis saw my letter to “C & N” [Crosby & Nichols], so Abbie wrote, and perhaps he gave me a lift. I shall take a great deal of comfort with it, besides contributing some to others, for there are others who appreciate such things and it will tend to elevate the tone of manners in the Company. It is the impression, true to a great extent, that we grow coarse and depraved here and some will imagine their friends much changed, but for myself (to you), I have much to try my temper in my tent, too. (That’s private and things are improving.) but I never fought myself so hard and honestly in my life, and above all, I never clung to or enjoyed the memories of the past, the refining influences of home, reading, etc., etc. as I do here. And profanity and low talk never shocked me as it does now and how often, yes, every moment, as it were, the faces of those dearest to me, each look and manner, comes to mind! I have spoken thus at length, that you might know that I am trying to, “Keep the heart with all diligence,” and many, many are the hours I spend here in the tent looking into the fire and dream of home and of the dear faces there. And the Scriptures are dearer, far dearer than ever, by the way. Called at Frank Craft’s tent the other day and a young man by the name of Hyde gave me a beautiful copy of “Proverbs” in [a] red linen cover, got up for the Army, very small, as he had several sent him. So I look with so much comfort upon my library! Testament, Proverbs (I often wish I had brought a small copy of the whole Bible.) for I miss only the glorious Prophets, those beautiful verses of “Isaiah” in particular. Have got the “Register” for today, too. Have not heard only by Henry from the folks at Boston or from Alonzo since I wrote. Am very anxious for him. I would not attempt to send the book to Capt. S. He has ample chances for reading matter and would not expect [it]. Feel it my duty to look to my own comfort first, and that’s the motto here. There’s an appropriation made and we hope to be paid off before a great while. This one thing will destroy the efficiency of the Army if not attended to soon, and government thinks so, I imagine. The note in reply to the photographs was very neat, but I should like to hear from them by letter. Have had more letters from Jamestown and expect a letter from Sarah. Heard she had written. Enclosed was a “Delta” from New Orleans sent by Ed Haynes to them. Glad of the news from Frank and Will. Have written them. Jos. H. has come and all is confusion. Will add a word by and by to close. After dinner. Jos. H. is laying down to get a little rest. Says he will write you sometime. He is getting to like Shakespeare’s plays. Don’t know as I can add anything more but love to all friends. Hope Mary will be entirely well. I received the paper and yarn. Am going to cut off the tops and ravel out for yarn. One pair that are worn out. I wear two pair this season. Have three pair good ones now. As ever your husband, Jerome Note appearing above the date and salutation on Page 1: “No.3. No.2 mailed last Friday.” Note written on margins: “I send you an advertisement from a Baltimore paper. You see slaves are like any other commodity.” TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Jack Phend and Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: The location from where this letter was written is not indicated. However, based on letters prior to and after this one and the history of the Army of the Potomac, it was written while the 36th Massachusetts Regiment was camped near Falmouth, Virginia, across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Stafford County. 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, his nephew. NOTE 3: The storm and its aftermath referenced in the letter resulted in what has been called the Mud March. General Burnside, after the disastrous defeat at Fredericksburg in December 1862, hoped to cross the Rappahannock River and hit Lee’s flank. The march began on January 20th but it began raining hard for four days, and the offensive was called off on January 23rd, the date this letter was written. NOTE 4: “Franklin’s Corps” was the VI Corps of the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Gen. William Franklin. NOTE 5: Below is a copy of the newspaper advertisement clipping he mentions in the letter and which he enclosed. The name of the newspaper from which it was taken or the date it was published is not known, but presumably the date was on or shortly before this letter was written. NOTE 6: The “’Delta’ from New Orleans” almost certainly refers to the New Orleans newspaper “The Daily Delta.” 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, January 25, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Falmouth 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 1863-01-25 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Jack Phend 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 5.54 X 3.23 5.82 X 7.14 11.58 X 7.12 5.82 X 7.14 8.02 X 4.99 8.02 X 9.95 8.02 X 4.99 3.89 X 3.78 3.89 X 3.78 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 #64 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Camp at Falmouth, VA. Allie Falmouth VA. 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Text Any textual data included in the document LETTER TRANSCRIPTION Sunday Eve 12th July 1863 Ever dear Allie, Here we are in the woods near the insane asylum, a fine building about two miles from the city of Jackson, which you know is the capital of Mississippi. I cannot relate in full the events of the past week. My last letter was written last Sunday just the other side of the Big Black River. We crossed on Tues[day] and advanced to this place suffering from the heat and marching but reached here on Fri[day] the P.M. of which we formed in line of battle and skirmished some two or three miles (in two divisions) forming a grand sight thru cornfields, woods, hills, etc. etc., quite surprised at not meeting the enemy before. Finally halted near the asylum for the night in a cornfield. Saturday, yesterday morning early, we moved forward cautiously feeling the enemy toward the city and soon rested in a pleasant wood but we soon discovered we were near a Reb battery, which thundered away at us with grape, solid shot and shell and killed two in the 27th Mich[igan] Regiment of our Brigade who rested below us but none of us were hurt here. But not so with the skirmishers [of] Co. F, mostly Milford men. [They] were the first to furnish victims, two from M. [Milford] were killed, Ellis and Hoyt, and some six wounded, mostly slightly. So far the 36th [has] done splendidly and ‘twas something to lay under the fire of yesterday in the woods hugging the ground like moles and no batteries in position to cover us, and what a relief this morning when two of ours opened on them. Such a rout and screaming of shot and shell for a few moments! Well thanks to [the] good giver, I am so far preserved from harm and feel hearty and well and trust in the same good Being to keep us to the end. The work is hardly yet begun and great events probably await us as the enemy are cornered and desperate, and several days will pass before it closes, but victory is sure in the end. The “Boys” are in fine spirits. Official news is received today of the fall of Port Hudson and defeat of General Lee in Pennsylvania. Trust all is true. Of the future, I know not. We are constantly ready to move and so long letters and words are impossible. (Rainy and I must close as I am outdoors.) Monday A. M. Still laying and safely waiting for “developments”. The batteries on our left, working a little. Went to the asylum grounds to see a few of the company who are ill from the effects of hard marching and heat, fatigue, lack of appetite, etc. All seem to think things are going well. Prisoners taken yesterday express the opinion that they cannot hold out long altho they mean to trouble us all they can. We seem to be feeling out their batteries and waiting to get [into] position. A large detail from “ours” last night working on fortifications nearby. Company H with the rest [have] not come in yet. Cloudy and spits of rain this morning and we are resting nicely this morning. Our mission seems to be to hold this position, to repel rather than attack. All talk and information seem to indicate a capture of the entire force here eventually and down goes the house with it! Only one of the Orange Boys are ill, W. H. Goddard, but not seriously. All [of] us [are] comfortable under a shelter on the Common or “Park” in front of the asylum. A delightful spot. Dear Allie, I have scratched off these few lines, not knowing when this will reach you, but you must possess your souls in patience and hope, for the work will surely close soon now and I am still sanguine that we shall meet again, and how much I shall have to relate that I cannot put on paper! Love as ever to all. I enclose some myrtle leaves and blossom, gathered in the grounds and a house where our line advanced. Our chaplain “fell out” some four or five miles back so I don’t know who looks out for the mail. No mail since last Sabbath. Alonzo well. Near Jackson, Miss., but very busy. As ever your loving Jerome Transcriber’s Note: The following note was written on the inside of the flap of the envelope: Later reports this morning point to a regular siege of the place. If so, we may remain some time. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: According to the Unit History, on July 5, 1863, the 36th Massachusetts moved towards Jackson, Mississippi, pursuing the retreating Confederates, with relatively few losses on both sides. After an eight-day siege of the city, it was abandoned by the Confederates on July 18. The regiment moved on until it reached Milldale, Mississippi, on July 23. NOTE 2: The Big Black River is a river in Mississippi and a tributary of the Mississippi River. Its origin is in Webster County near the town of Eupora in the north central part of the state. From there it flows 330 miles in a generally southwest direction until it merges with the Mississippi River 25 miles south of the city of Vicksburg. The Battle of Big Black River Bridge, fought May 17, 1863, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee pursued the retreating Confederate Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton following the Battle of Champion Hill, in the final battle before the Siege of Vicksburg. NOTE 3: The following information appears in the Unit History about the two men from Company F who were killed as mentioned in this letter. As always, this information agrees perfectly with what Jerome wrote. George H. Ellis was 23 years old when he enlisted on August 4, 1862. He was killed in action on July 11, 1863, the day prior to the date of this letter. Ames Hoyt was 20 years old when he enlisted on August 6, 1862. He was also killed in action on July 11, 1863. NOTE 4: The Siege of Port Hudson, Louisiana (May 22 – July 9, 1863), was the final engagement in the Union campaign to recapture the Mississippi River. While Union General Ulysses Grant was besieging Vicksburg upriver, General Nathaniel Banks was ordered to capture the Confederate stronghold of Port Hudson, in order to go to Grant's aid. When his assault failed, Banks settled into a 48-day siege, the longest in U.S. military history. A second attack also failed, and it was only after the fall of Vicksburg that the Confederate commander, General Franklin Gardner, surrendered the port. Consequently, the Union gained control of the Mississippi River and navigation from the Gulf of Mexico through the Deep South and to the river's upper reaches. NOTE 5: In writing about the “defeat of General Lee in Pennsylvania,” he was referring to the Battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, which resulted in a decisive Union victory on July 3, 1863. NOTE 6: William H. Goodard enlisted from Orange at age 21 with Jerome on August 4, 1862. He died of disease on August 17, 1863, a little over a month after this letter was written, at Louisville, Kentucky, NOTE 7: 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, July 12, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Jackson, MS. 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 1863-07-12 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Bard 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 4 X 6.4 6 X 8.75 11 X 9 6.15 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 #140 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 Jackson, MS. Allie Jackson MS Jerome Peirce