5 10 134 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3ebdd8a8331c4ed6a80915d89ff15074.jpg 44eb25c8bc902dc1a0db59e64e99e92f https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0ef1e2a7839db506c7774ed0cbbf69d9.jpg e19b4e9de124a821248537db8b49abb8 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8e65a47dbd447fecd06117e170a49755.jpg e38faca3f6d24e280a377be261dbfe59 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 Sabbath morning 9th August [Corrected from July by Transcriber] 1863 “No news but good news” my dearest wife But it’s a lovely morning and altho crowded close, we’ve made a shade with our tents cloths and I’ve room to sit on my knapsack and so prepare another ‘word’ for you. Arrived at Memphis Tenn. yesterday at 10 o’clk A.M. where my first letter was mailed. Went on shore at the old place when I wrote you when Ben sent his letter where we remained four or five hours which was passed in bathing, cooking, etc. Had a fine late dinner of beans and I boiled some juices of ham. We’ve plenty to eat now! Well, Allie, I continue to feel finely and amuse myself reading and thinking of some quiet camp where we can recruit up once more and finally of one day seeing home. Oh, I forgot to mention that your letter of the 3rd July met me [at] M. [Memphis] with the pictures of Maria and Nellie P. I am ever so much obliged and will write them as soon as I can. It was very kind in them to remember me so. Maria looks changed of course but it is still our friend “Maria” and Nellie looks a little sober but very acceptable. Ah, how much I wish we could all meet the Pruitt family, with Albert and Maria I mean, and chat over old times. For there’s something very pleasant as I look back upon it for all we did not quite “see” everything as now. I have a deep and abiding regard for the P’s [Pruitts] for I know they were my true friends. Will, it seems, is in Worcester. Good fortune altered him and his. He’s chosen a pleasant spot to locate. Shall write him soon. You spoke of Lieut. Ward’s death by his surgery. I don’t know who you mean. Was it not Howe? Did you ever hear that young Baker [is] mentioned? It is said he was killed at Antietam. I never could hear anything definite about him. He mustered men at Worcester for the 15th and went with them, joined that Reg’t and so fell so we heard. Col. Joslyn would know. We heard he, J. [Joslyn], was wounded again, but since contradicted. Col. Ward being killed. I suppose Joslyn is Col. Are you having a quiet pleasant Sabbath at home with darling Lulu? What a different scene here. Deck full of men reading, sewing and other things. Not Sabbath like, while the deck bell has just [announced] “stop sounding” (as they’ve been “heaving the lead”) and we’re running close to the shore. Could throw a cracker on land. Read the 2nd and 3rd Epistle St. John and a Psalm early this morning. How many short verses that would [be] for brief messages home! For instance, 5th verse 2nd Epistle “And now I beseech thee Lady” and how glad when I can write you the 12th verse of the same. P.M. Was interrupted and have been to see Ben and chat awhile. Always has a kindly message for you. Is very well. Have some papers I will mail with this which are interesting showing the Rebel view of affairs. You speak of my remembering the Orange boys. I do and are more or less with them every day. All are well but Harrison Goddard and Hiram Woodward. I think the change of climate is what is wanted more than anything else. It is very warm today with a gentle breeze to offset the effect of the steam heat. I still have the books and shall try and send them home from Cairo or Kentucky. Did not have time to send by Col. Norton who is at home by this time. Col. (Ex) Bowman is on board. One man died today of our Regt., Co. G I believe. Sick were not left at M. [Memphis]. By the way, two of your letters, 8th and 9th, are behind somewhere. No doubt will turn up after awhile. Shall enclose to Frank by this [letter] so you can exchange. I desire to know of Joe’s movements and how father is to get along. I suppose Uncle Munik can assist them. And how is Aunt Pamelia too? Does Lulu go to see her often? Remember me to them. Wish I could take a lounge in the armchair and enjoy the shade and quiet for awhile. But I must close. Hope you receive all my scrawls. Love to all. Why don’t Polly write? Shall make inquiries sometime if she neglects me too much. Love abundantly to all and to yourself first. From your own. Jerome Direct [letters] to Cincinnati, Ohio again. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: July 9th in 1863 fell on a Thursday instead of on a Sunday (Sabbath). However, that date did fall on a Sunday in August of that year. Based on that fact and based on a review of the contents of the letters Jerome wrote just prior to and after this letter, there is no doubt that Jerome made a mistake regarding the month when he wrote this letter. In other words, he wrote it on August 9, 1863, instead of on July 9, 1863. NOTE 2: “Heaving the lead” is a nautical term for when depths are measured with a lead and a line. https://classicsailor.com/2018/04/heaving-the-lead-2/ NOTE 3: The Epistles of Saint John are three of seven universal letters written to the overall church rather than specific communities. The reference to lady refers to a specific community. The Epistles are in addition to the Gospel of John. The fifth verse of the 2nd Epistle is “And now I beseech thee, lady, not as writing a new commandment to thee, but that which we have had from the beginning, that we love one another.” The twelve verse of the 2nd Epistle is “Having more things to write unto you, I would not by paper and ink: for I hope that I shall be with you, and speak face to face: that your joy may be full.” http://biblescripture.net/2John.html NOTE 4: According to the Unit History, Lieutenant Howe died on July 7, 1863, of smallpox contracted at a hospital. NOTE 5: 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. 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 9, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Memphis, TN. 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 1863-08-09 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Tom Neubig (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 5.9 X 8.8 10.7 X 8.8 6 X 8.8 Jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #139 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 Memphis, TN. Allie Jerome Peirce Memphis TN https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/2491078cac50b99c48479e5b7d505a85.jpg 720cce26bbcaade5086e4df7e742505b https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/a96aec37ef1fec5c93a3933fafa7efea.jpg 779731d38f1977d390a1596072c3bd7b https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0cd0ac4494cc94de10af814dc4c5ecf7.jpg 2ce951d4700fa8879ed3c6ddcf0d5e75 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/2247fbbb4c42857ddb3e64e02620775b.jpg 429f8ca1398a641e1a1c59030950204c 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[ssippi] River above Fort Pillow Onboard steamer “Hiawatha”, Sunday Morning, 9th July 1863 My Dear Bro. Frank[lin], If we could only meet “face to face” what a talk we would have! As I have looked over the letters I have lately received from different ones, yours called up a soldier’s “fellow feeling.” What memories of campaigning would arise! and I thought Frank shall have a little memento of the Miss. River! You [are] now, I trust, safely and cozily fixed at home with a vocation to your taste but alas for Joe I feel deeply that he must go (as I expect he’ll have to) for he was so much to those [at] home, his taste and inclination both making him such a help. But as mother says, he must try and feel that all’s for the best and I wish I could share a tent with him in “ours”. Well brother mine, of late, you know we’ve had a hard time, hurry and fatigue have rendered it impossible for me to write to the friends as I would like to and now we are packed like herring on a river boat but like all times we make the best of it knowing we’re getting a little nearer home. It has been the severest trial we’ve ever had and the Corps will not be worth much for two months and we expect to go into camp somewhere in Ky. [Kentucky] and recruit both in health and numbers. Miss. [Mississippi] is a terribly hot dusty country and now that we begin to feel the northern breeze we realize fully what an oven we’ve been in and strength and cheerfulness are returning somewhat. The most outrageous conduct attended the whole Jackson Campaign from the 4th [of] July the morning after the fall of Vicksburg. We started to cut off Johnston and altho the fight at J. [Jackson] was not of the Virginia kind, we had to endure quarter rations, constant stir and fatigue and alarm. We’re under fire some twenty-four hours with no battery to protect us and but for the fact that the enemy could not find out our exact position we should have fared hard for we were right under a battery. But “Benjamin’s” and “Edward’s” got a position at last and pelted away savagely one morning (see my “diary” if it ever gets home. Directed to B. with a letter) and the Rebels who got the idea that we were short of artillery, soon found who was around and the battery was silent “right soon” and we marched to the rear under a fearful fire of shell from “B. and E.” The Ninth Corps done the principal business at ‘Jackson’ [Mississippi] and the 35th Mass. was the first to enter the city. There’s a “history” to be written of this whole affair! The western boys got the idea that the eastern troops couldn’t fight! but when we left that notion was pretty fully dispelled and Gen. Grant gave us great praise, as well as the ‘boys’, and they said it must be in officers, not the men, “for better soldiers are nowhere to be found.” The simple fact is the southern armies have not the standup to them that the armies of Va. possess and had we met any of the Genl’s of Lee’s army we should have had hard work. The fight and game is well knocked out of [the] ‘Secesh’ down here and altho there may be some jobs, the heavy work is done and Richmond, Charleston and Chattanooga remain. I was awful sorry that Lee got the “inside track” but Morgan and the rioters are quelled. Couldn’t I have given the latter “some”! Boston got great praise for the treatment of mobs. The boys here are fierce I tell you and would [have] liked the privilege of treating with them. Had a letter from Allie (July 30) and a paper from Will yesterday. Shall mail this at Cairo [Illinois] where we hope to be tomorrow. Shall soon pass Columbus and “Island No. 10”. I must add a word for Allie so will give you my best wishes and hope to hear from you as often as possible. Are Frank Whilford and Jimmy Hills going to the army? I saw their names among the draftees. As ever Bro. Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Per the Unit History for July 5 – July 23, 1863, the regiment 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: Although Franklin is identified in the letter as a brother of Jerome, he was actually his brother-in-law and that Jerome used the word “brother” as a form of endearment since the Jaquith and Peirce families were very close. To identify Jerome Peirce’s ancestors, a detailed, well documented 283-page history of the Peirce family written and published in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1880 by Frederick Clifton Peirce was used. It is titled Peirce Genealogy, Being the Record of the Posterity of John Pers, an Early Inhabitant of Watertown, in New England, which is now available on Google Books. It traces the Peirce family history back to John Pers in England, who was born in about 1588 and died in 1661. In that account, the entire Peirce family that Jerome was a part of is listed, and there is no Franklin shown among Jerome’s siblings. However, the genealogy information found for the Jaquith family on ancestry.com shows that Allie (Albinia) had a brother by the name of Franklin, who also went by “Frank.” He was born in 1839 and died in 1922. Furthermore, in an 1864 letter Allie wrote, “I will be coming to Orange with my brother Frank.” As indicated in this letter and as alluded to in other letters, Franklin Jaquith also served in the Union Army. There are several men named Franklin Jaquith listed in the National Park Service’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database, so that it is not possible to determine which unit he belonged to. NOTE 3: The Battle of Jackson, fought on May 14, 1863, in Jackson, Mississippi, was part of the Vicksburg Campaign. Union commander Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and the Army of the Tennessee defeated elements of the Confederate Department of the West, commanded by General Joseph E. Johnston, seizing the city, cutting supply lines, and opening the path to the west and the Siege of Vicksburg. This battle was fought prior to the date when this letter was written. After Vicksburg fell on July 4, 1863, the 36th Massachusetts moved to Jackson, Mississippi, a distance of approximately 46 miles. NOTE 4: The “Benjamin’s and Edward’s” (Or “B and D”) almost certainly refers to two artillery batteries commanded by two union officers (probably lieutenants) by those surnames who commanded those batteries. It was common to refer to units by the name of the commanding officer instead of by their official numerical and state/federal designations. Lt. Samuel N. Benjamin was in charge of Battery E, 2nd U.S. Artillery, 2nd Div., IX Army Corps. His name is mentioned once in the Unit History. Edwards’s name does not appear in the Unit History, which is not surprising because the artillery batteries were not part of the 36th Massachusetts. However, there are several men named “Edwards” in the National Park Service’s Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Database who served in artillery positions. Presumably the “Edwards” that Jerome referred to was one of them. 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 "Brother" Franklin Jaquith, July 9, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Jaquith, Franklin "Hiwatha" Description An account of the resource From Jerome to "Brother" Franklin Jaquith (Actually Jerome's brother-in-law) 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 1863-07-09 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 6.15 X 4 6.15 X 8.8 11 X 8.8 5.9 X 8.8 Jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #138 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant On-board the steamer "Hiwatha" on the Mississippi River above Fort Pillow "Hiwatha" Allie Jerome Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/397f134119ed8023408d38f6b32c92c8.jpg 5e000bb11f3adeb2855706a308010ed3 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8ec58b0bd8f846bc89d61f78bc81778a.jpg 8d87825ea451c3a2482f224ff9b72694 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/1432231bf320b95f257387eabe31f127.jpg cb32c7f6cf487e86434bb8e86d966e8b https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b82c479908b9f0aef5d96f3f4c028588.jpg e7d26db79c6e14c46160f283f3b70ef7 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e40e9c6c5b6b818acd7de5a6a6c56476.jpg d106309b7200232b5b774d3414dafab3 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3c19dc25c3fa4f763e5830bdeaba0da4.jpg 96974bbaa28961480def622785833afc 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 Rear of Vicksburg, 5th July 1863 Dearest Allie mine, The heat, dust and numberless trials of “active movements” under a scorching sky will prevent me from sending such a missive as you merit and is my duty to send but I will commence something. But yesterday will forever be a day in our country’s calendar. The ever remembered Fourth: Vicksburg is fallen! and I have imagined with what tremblings of hope and caution our friends [in] the North will receive the tidings. But such is the fact, and some twenty thousand traitors marched out and stacked arms and I have talked with those who witnessed the scene. What a thrill of gratitude should fill every heart! I assure you campaigning out in the ‘So. West’ is not in Virginia! and our troops are now acting their part in a movement to destroy Johnston and his army. We moved yesterday from our camp “near Milldale” and we are now some twelve miles on the Jackson road and in a dense forest. Two divisions are here and it seems quite like old times in Va. last year. We seem to be placed to head off Johnston if he attempts to escape this way. A portion of Grant’s army made for him yesterday as soon as V. [Vicksburg] fell and as usual we are full of stories of camp. We expect to go back to Ky. [Kentucky] soon as the western troops are quite able to fix them here, [if] only we could perhaps “give them a lift.” Another mail, our long expected one, came yesterday and such a time! I rec’d eleven letters and papers, three of yours: 30th May, June 6th, (I believe) and one the 21st with Ellen’s of the same date. Also from Abbie, Frank, Jamestown, N.Y., Nelson Moore of Orange and Mary (sister M of O [Orange]). Alonzo had a large mail. The mail was distributed at night while in camp and candles were burning till towards morning reading them for we were so tired and dirty that we couldn’t sleep till we had some waking rest. I cannot say all I would like to in reply to yours but I am so glad you are well and cheerful and so pleasant prospect ahead for the summer. I can still go on [to] endure and suffer if need be a great deal for the sky is brightening indeed! We have “news” from the North whispering about camp today. A great victory in Penn[sylvania] and hosts of prisoners taken etc. etc. But we receive [news] with caution. May it all be true. Perhaps this vile wickedness is to end as soon or suddenly as it commenced. Let me say that you or “other friends” must be patient in regard to my writing for you have no idea of the wearing life we have now. ‘Tis terribly hot, so much so that today as I let my gun rest in the sand while halting, the brass on the butt was uncomfortably hot to my hand! We move slow and so manage to keep along but ‘tis a “tough one” for northern troops but they all bear it like heroes. Oh, I wish our friends could see “face to face” our brave boys as they struggle on. And then we suffer from little things, flies, and then we have to go from half mile to [a] mile and a half for water. This is universal as the season is dry and water can be got only in the deep ravines and wells on the plantations. And then the dust. Ankle deep and like flour, fine and choking and frequently so thick you cannot see ten feet ahead and then we sweat, our clothes woolen and all wringing wet, and you have an idea of what this campaigning is and then (once more) the water and heat causes a breaking out which itches fearfully, keeping us worried more or less. Now, I tell this not to tell tales but that you may know what we have to contend with, for we can live thru everything now for we see “the beginning of the end”. I am quite well, only some foot sore[s] as I am if I rest in camp long. Had a dear letter from mother, Mary, Hattie (a few words) and little Lulu darling! Hope you will receive mine enclosed to her from Memphis. How happy I feel that the child remembers me and sings “Marching Along”. She must be a true soldier’s daughter. How much I desire to see you all! Have seen little of the boys today. Have to “rest” all I can. Alonzo is well and happy with his letters. Ellen is a dear, good, brave-hearted girl and God grant we may all meet to live in another way, all this over again when peace once more smiles on our glorious country made doubly dear by these present afflictions. Express my regard to all the friends for their kind regard and care of your dear self. I should be a poor soldier indeed did I not try to “bear right onward” to defend such friends and I trust to endure to the end. I don’t think we shall meet the foe. It’s barely possible, but more likely we shall soon be on our way to “Kentuck” soon. ‘Tis almost dark and much I must leave for another time. I forgot to say I had letters from Eddie Haynes and his mother with the rest. Once more I must say adieu but with the entire love of your own Jerome Please mention the letters you receive from me. It has been a strange Sabbath! Mond[ay] morning. Dear Allie. Had a good rest last night. No alarm. I am sitting here under the canopy of trees on my blankets, quite early and the numerous bugles and drums are sounding the morning calls. Am looking over my mail etc. Recd the “Ploughman” from B. with the lozenges. Also, I had needles and thread and stamps. I cannot think of all these items always but I think I got everything. The Adjt. [Adjutant] has just been waking us up. No reveille. So we may move early. Also rec’d some Gazettes (S. [Sabbath] School) from C with Mr. Gerry’s poetry and shall think a great deal of reading them. Must pack up, so adieu. Jos. H. called last eve. Well but tired. Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: The Siege of Vicksburg (May 18 – July 4, 1863) was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate Army of Mississippi, led by Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton, into the defensive lines surrounding the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Vicksburg was the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River; therefore, capturing it completed the second part of the Northern strategy, the Anaconda Plan. When two major assaults (May 19 and 22, 1863) against the Confederate fortifications were repulsed with heavy casualties, Grant decided to besiege the city beginning on May 25. After holding out for more than forty days, with their reinforcement and supplies nearly gone, the garrison finally surrendered on July 4. NOTE 2: 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 3: Hattie was Allie’s younger sister. Her complete name was Harriet Walker Jaquith, and she was born in 1845. The information about her on ancestry.com indicates that she probably died in 1930. NOTE 4: Frank (Franklin) was one of Abbie’s brothers. He was born in 1839 and died in 1922. Franklin Jaquith also served in the Union Army. NOTE 5: The “Alonzo” Jerome referred to in his letters was Seth Alonzo Ranlett. Ranlett enlisted in Co. B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment as a Private on July 24, 1862, at age 22, and he was from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was promoted to First Sergeant on August 27, 1862, and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on December 1, 1862. On December 17, 1862, he was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment. He was mustered out “on account of physical disability from disease incurred in the service” on February 20, 1864. Ranlett was born on March 18, 1840, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and he died May 21, 1905, in Newton, Massachusetts. Ranlett’s wife was Ellen Peirce Ranlett, with a date of birth of March 22, 1842, and a date of death of January 12, 1914. They were married on January 21, 1864. Ellen Peirce was one of the children of Foster Peirce and his wife Catherine Abby Beaman. Also, Foster Peirce was a brother of Jerome. Therefore, the Ellen that Jerome mentions in his letters was one of Jerome’s nieces, and starting on January 21, 1864, Alonzo was the husband of one of his nieces. NOTE 6: The “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 7: The “Massachusetts Ploughman” was a newspaper that he received fairly regularly in his mail according to his letters. It was published weekly from 1841 until 1866 by the New England Agricultural Society. NOTE 8: In mentioning the “great victory in Pennsylvania,” he was undoubtedly referring to Lee’s defeat at Gettysburg. 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 5, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Vicksburg, 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 1863-07-05 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 6.1 X 3.8 6.1 X 8.75 11.3 X 8.75 6.15 X 8.75 6.15 X 8.75 6.15 X 8.75 Jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #137 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Rear of Vicksburg, MS. Allie Jerome Peirce Vicksburg MS https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/4f544e786ccadfb9201c242a00c6425e.jpg afd229a35643f3366354aeadf42172c5 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/49d3fb6a10b5ab111289b3af9da6ddc1.jpg 4f203724e5bdbe47c117132c130d2bcf 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 Walpole [Massachusetts], July 5, 1863 My dear friend, You will see I have been writing to your husband and not knowing how to send [a letter] to him, I thought you would enclose it in one of your letters. I have written upon so thin paper it will probably not weigh too much. I know you must have much anxiety and many troubled hours. I hope your little Lucy will be well. She must be so much comfort to you. I saw your sister at C. soon after Jerome left. I have not been there recently. Dr. Ellis will soon be absent for his vacation and I suppose his parish will be scattered as usual in summer. We have been hoping to see Miss Loring here recently, but she has not yet arrived. She is so much occupied with her school that she finds little time for visits. I had but little news to write Jerome yet I kept on scribbling. I should be glad to hear from you. With a kiss for little Lucy and love to yourself, I am yours affectionately L. M. Ellis TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE Jerome mentioned the Ellis family, and Dr. George E. Ellis in particular, in several of his letters, including that he had received a letter from Lucy M. Ellis, who presumably wrote this letter. In one of his letters, Jerome mentions that he would send a letter he had received from Lucy Ellis to Allie, which could have been this one. Based on references made to Lucy Ellis in several letters, Lucy M. Ellis was almost definitely the wife of Dr. George E. Ellis. The Ellis family had established a relationship with Jerome and Allie because Ellis was the pastor in the church in Charlestown, Massachusetts, that the Peirce family belonged to prior to moving to Orange, Massachusetts. 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 L. M. Ellis (Friend) to Allie, July 5, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Ellis, L. M. Allie Walpole, MA. Description An account of the resource From L. M. Ellis (Friend) to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource L. M. Ellis 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 1863-07-05 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 5.9 X 8.75 5.9 X 8.75 Jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #136 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Walpole, MA. Allie L. M. Ellis Walpole MA. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8a4f1f6a911682168ef43e4c209c744c.jpg dcb58732b17c05d7524b764ed5dc0522 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/4fd88c25328a0d5ad1af196eb6dc29f2.jpg b7aea64e79eb51b766e2c5cb857b505a https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/35f2da2926a8d0150bbf21652c5a4e39.jpg 06f233809fa457f2d5f5682a8964664c https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/f4d494d18025494f428b9f79045acee4.jpg a330929b4947b853df6807bab0afdc0f https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/cadc2d18e3232e8c4eafbbe159c58ba7.jpg eaa52e171aa19fd575937682d8609f89 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/bbe5327139c14eef57ffdb8207c12a86.jpg e5e4b8436026c405304acc3e44526857 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 “Milldale” Rear of Vicksburg July 1st 63 My dearest Wife, Ben E. [Edmands] is here with me. Jos. H. left me this morn for the train once more. All to myself again, an airy, nice tent “all to myself, and a spare bed and board.” Ben and I have just taken cold coffee together, he writing to somebody. [I] have just finished a long letter to the friends at O. [Orange] (for Jos. H. and I). Mail closes very soon and I can only say a few words this time to acknowledge yours of the 14th ult. came yesterday, also a “Register” and can you imagine how good it seemed to receive it? Our big mail, they say, is close at hand at last and then what a treat! Ah, dear Allie, how much I’ve talked and thought of you! and all our dear home joys, our little Lulu too. How my heart reaches out to meet you both! No news, all quiet, and the Co. away on picket again. Am well excellently, and have been so busy improving my tent, and “policing” about, cleaning up all the chips and litter about it. It is called “policing”, and then I have seen and heard the mockingbird sing, to know him I mean for I have heard and wondered what it was, a slate colored, jolly fellow so full of songs and imitations, perfectly wild with joy all the time, and it seems as though he mocked and laughed at everything skimming from tree to tree, tho’ he hovers about a big tree near us, and the Adjt’s tent, chatted quite a while with him this morn. Alonzo is well. Did not receive letters yesterday and was quite disappointed. It seems so strange to be so long without a mail! but the letters directed [to] Louisville come thro’ but now you must direct them “via Cairo, Ills.” Mails come but I fear I shall have to close this before I receive it. P.M. No dear Allie, I gave up the idea of mailing this today for I did receive your letter of the 4th, or rather third, June, and I find so much that I must refer to, that I felt I must make out a passable letter to you. Ever loving and living for me! like a true dear wife that you are! Your birthday, the 4th. Ah yes, but as I said before I have lost the certainty whether it was the 4th or 6th. I remember mentioning as we were marching along, “This or the 6th is my wife’s birthday to one of the guards.” Oh, how my thoughts lingered over the past, even in that weary march, for all the tender memories “help” us so! Ben E. [Edmands] says (as I mentioned your age) that, if the memory of the oft coming birthdays had one unpleasant thought, it might console to know that his came the preceding day, the 3rd, and again the further we get on the nearer we are of an age for the good place of rest knows no difference of age. He always has some pleasant, cheering thought. And now let me enter here from my “diary” the record of that day. Thurs 4th. Mysterious movements. We usually have a bugle call as we fall in, but on that day no unnecessary noise was allowed which gave the impression of a retreat, hence “Mysterious movements”. Rapid march of the Brigade back to Columbia. Left about noon, arrived at C. [Columbia] about 9 P.M. (20 miles strong), fording the river by light of a lantern and wetting the lower limbs. Camped near the former headquarters (of the Gen’l.) Rumors afloat. Letters from wife and sister Abbie. Such was the day with me and how dear were the letters received and how eagerly read by the candle as I told you doubtless. I have often mentioned my appreciation of the kindness of your (and my) friends towards you. Tell them a soldier‘s heart is [as] large as his arm is strong. But your history of the Linen was funny indeed and Ben and I had a hearty laugh over it. No, we’ve seen but little, the poor fellows at Memphis you know. I mentioned the wounded all had white loose draws and frocks like and I doubt if any were among those. Ben got a nice package of letters from “His Amy,” Bro. Isaac and papers, Harper’s Magazine etc. and shares all with me. He sits here reading the papers now. Feel much, very much, interested for Frank and Will. I do trust Will will recover his wanted, and more than wanted, health. Of Frank, if he must come again, how gladly would I welcome him to “ours”, but I trust ‘twill seem fit for him to remain at home, altho I feel that it is the first duty of all that can come, and have we not left loved ones at home as dear as any to “rally round the flag” for one grand last effort, and then goes up the “All Hail and well done!!” And sweet peace and victory is ours. It must be so. Recd. a nice “Diary” from Alonzo the other day, and I am writing with the pencil of it, thick and slate colored. Shall send home my old one soon. But I close. When the mail is regulated and I can look for something often, how pleasant t’will be. Papers recd. are of the 20th. Vicksburg affairs are well told but let us hear soon of the utter destruction of Lee and his invading hosts of the North. ‘Tis the duty of our folks to do it. I’ve two more envelopes directed to Milk St., but they will be all right. I want to hear of your receiving all of my letters etc. Intended to have written Foster’s folks today, will tomorrow, or very soon. I hope my last month’s life will be deemed an excuse for silence, as long as they could know this [through] you of our movements, for I was indeed tired and worn down but I’m once more myself, so love to them and all and ever your devoted and loving husband Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: 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 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. NOTE 4: 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 5: Foster Peirce was one of Jerome’s older brothers. The 1850 U.S. Census listed him as being born in 1812, living in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and being in the furniture business. It is interesting to note that when that census was taken, Jerome, then 19 years old, was living with the Foster Peirce family, with his occupation being recorded as a “gilder.” NOTE 6: The genealogy information found for the Jaquith family on ancestry.com shows that Allie (Albinia) had a brother by the name of Franklin, who also went by “Frank.” He was born in 1839 and died in 1922. In an 1864 letter Allie wrote, “I will be coming to Orange with my brother Frank.” 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 1, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Vicksburg, MS. 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 1863-07-01 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Paul and Louise Marahrens (Transcribers) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.5 X 4.10 6.05 X 8.75 10.85 X 8.75 5.9 X 8.75 5.9 X 8.75 5.9 X 8.75 Jpg Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #135 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Milldale, Rear of Vicksburg, MS. Allie Jerome Peirce Milldale MS Vicksburg MS https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e85b3407f9098423804f05f930480005.jpg 6550cebed1feb4ebdb11302a0eee1a46 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e40099ae757356af91db7c93cd2aa870.jpg 56f8b9adbb78b9dfbb8ad6f7968e8ece https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/55b1080a506cb757a2b53c0a3d7842e1.jpg 362867351e214dacaf1574072aa680d2 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/cfee2a8566999a21ae1e5a6179ebc5f3.jpg 6138d6098cf6cd7756ab4a65f719ea57 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/fd77ac70a9e5117ea09e23af99d0a360.jpg 43405b2d524378a0f88c2647c245a236 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/53079c59a41fd68c76bcba0d0f9ad38c.jpg 913214f458fac9702f0dcd4983efb107 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 Rear of Vicksburg, Missi[ssippi] Fri[day] June 26th/ 63 My dearest Wife, Jos[eph] H. and I [are] sitting here in our tent. (He is reported back to the Regt. on acct. of our change of location.) The co[mpany] are off on picket and all seems so still that from duty and inclination we send a few words home. I wrote you last Monday and that P.M. moved to our present location half a mile or so to a level piece of grass land immediately on the road and inside of the rifle pits where we are quietly awaiting Gen’s Breckinridge and Johnston if they choose to call but which is exceedingly doubtful. Everything is very quiet and monotonous. Picket and guard duty in a small way and some digging, some throwing up defenses at various points on the road where the enemy may come. Every day firing more or less goes on at Vicksburg which we can distinctly hear. Yesterday P.M. ‘twas very fierce as we attacked and carried one of the chief works and today they are to mount more guns to bear on them. Some of our officers go to the city so we have news every day. Today the Adj’t and Dr. Bryant are there and passes are issued to “noncoms” and I may pay a visit yet. We are now having on the whole an easy time. The weather is very hot some of the time and the little insects and flies common to the climate are very troublesome, poisoning us badly and keep[ing] us worried a good deal. Am glad to tell you that my health and appetite are excellent but the weather is such that I cannot write but little, besides, we feel unsafe about letters. News came yesterday that the mail boat was sunk by rebel batteries on the river near where we were fired into. Our big back they say is safe and will reach us tomorrow. Hope so, as we feel shut out from the world pretty effectually and some have read no letters for almost three weeks but by good fortune yours directed to Louisville came to hand of which I have spoken before. This morn. have been fixing a woolen blanket (carrying only a part of one). Our tents are pitched here differently somewhat. We raise them some more than a foot from the ground and then fix some spring poles up from the ground and lay thin boards across and so there is a circulation of air and makes them cooler. This morning there is a cool breeze and it is quite pleasant, much like on days at home. Our Regt is divided, part of it on the other side of the road, so we “come and go”. Ben and I read, sleep, eat, travel for water “down the deep ravine”, listen and wonder what the news is etc. etc. Yesterday a startling news came by a St. Louis paper that Gen. Lee with a large army was invading Penn. and Gen. McClellan was in command to oppose him and if they’re smart they will destroy him ere he sees Va. again. I think it a severe pill but I must say I fear the North need something to wake them up. Of our movements in future, we as usual know nothing. The talk is as soon as V. [Vicksburg] falls we “go up the river” or East as far as Ky. [Kentucky] at least. So you see things are dull exceedingly. The Contrabands come and take our washing, chat a little and that is all that turns up. We have a surfeit of blackberries, in that respect we were highly favored and done us much good and there is little sickness. I am almost ashamed to send letters now, but you must have your lines but ‘tis the dullest time we ever saw to write about, and my friends must excuse [me] for the present and feel satisfied with the fact that I am well and doing the best I can to keep along in a warm climate at least till a mail comes. After dinner: Well Allie, at the above sentence Ben came to the tent and read me a nice long letter from a friend of his “of old” in Kansas who I mentioned once before. A true soldier and patriot who is with an Indian Regt, steward in the hospital and now near Fort Gibson. He gives a fearful picture of the cruel practices of the Rebels as experienced by some refugees from Texas who sought protection with them after untold perils and hardships. We chatted a long while and finally agreed to go berrying this P.M. and J.H. just paid 20¢ for a qt. [quart] of milk of a “darkie” and is now enjoying bread and milk while I feed on toasted hardtack soaked in coffee with molasses and some boiled pork with the same. How strange it seems to think I am so far from my dear ones. A beautiful day and as I look out ‘tis calm and delightful with the broken and wavy woods all around. “Not a gun is heard” to remind us of war, something that is seldom know here, but they’re preparing. Ben and I talk strongly of becoming land owners and cultivators of acres with a few nice young people after the war is over. What do you say? If I survive this present conflict, I feel it a serious question what I shall do. Can I settle down in a noisy city and sweat and strive for daily bread when there is such elbow room and inviting spots in the west? Well, well, do reply in a hurry, must talk and think. How are all the good friends and how do the babies come on? How much I would like to see you all. Love, love to all. Tell Foster’s folks I trust somewhat to the Adj’t now and Abbie that her Ben has not forgotten her. Little Lulu, tell her I saw the beautifulest red bird this morning and yesterday two nice grey squirrels frolicking on the trees nearby. No hunters to tease them here. A kiss for her. Hoping ere long to hear from you all. I remain Your loving husband Jerome P I enclose Miss W’s letter. My regards to her. Direct your letter to “Via Cairo, Ills.” Regt., Co. etc. as usual but leaving off “Burnside’s Dept.” TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES [Josef Rokus] NOTE 1: The “Jos. H.” or 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 2: The Siege of Vicksburg (May 18 – July 4, 1863) was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate Army of Mississippi, led by Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton, into the defensive lines surrounding the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Vicksburg was the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River; therefore, capturing it completed the second part of the Northern strategy, the Anaconda Plan. When two major assaults (May 19 and 22, 1863) against the Confederate fortifications were repulsed with heavy casualties, Grant decided to besiege the city beginning on May 25. After holding out for more than forty days, with their reinforcement and supplies nearly gone, the garrison finally surrendered on July 4. NOTE 3: Albert H. Bryant enlisted at age 25 from Natick, Massachusetts. He was appointed Assistant Surgeon for the 36th Massachusetts on August 29, 1862 and was promoted to Surgeon on May 4, 1865. Bryant was mustered out with the Regiment on June 8, 1865. NOTE 4: “Contraband” was a term commonly used in the United States military during the Civil War to describe a new status for certain escaped or freed slaves who affiliated with the Union forces. The Army (and the United States Congress) determined that the U.S. would not return escaped slaves who went to Union lines and classified them as contraband. They used many as laborers to support Union efforts and soon began to pay them wages. The former slaves set up camps near Union forces, and the Army helped support and educate both adults and children among the refugees. NOTE 5: The “Ben” referred to in the 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 6: The “Foster” referred to in the letter was Foster Peirce, one of Jerome’s older brothers. The 1850 U.S. Census listed him as being born in 1812, living in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and being in the furniture business. It is interesting to note that when that census was taken, Jerome, then 19 years old, was living with the Foster Peirce family, with his occupation being recorded as a “gilder.” NOTE 7: 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. 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, June 26, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Vicksburg, 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 1863-06-26 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 6.25 X 3.8 6.25 X 8.6 10.65 X 8.6 5.95 X 8.6 5.95 X 8.6 5.95 X 8.6 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 #134 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Rear of Vicksburg, MS. Allie Jerome Peirce Vicksburg MS https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/f41bd216ac37b8edc71c77a76bf7a046.jpg cc31fa06d07497bf3b5409306b6f81d8 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/a76f55250f8cbcbb224b322cad229d1a.jpg 972969660b454c20db4f04e77f91b0b7 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 Lulu’s Letter Near Vicksburg Missi[ssippi] 22nd June 1863 My dear little daughter I wrote you a nice long letter a few days ago. Would you like a word now? Have written to Mama and thought I must tell you what happened while Uncle Ben, the same one I spoke of in my last [letter], was sitting under the trees in the shade the other day. As we were talking, we noticed a little bird fluttering in the grass and pretty soon we saw another bird coming. First it came and lit in a tree stopping a moment to see all [was] safe and then down it went to the little bird and gave it something to eat. So pretty. The little one opened its bill! Several times while we sat there it came. Was not its Mama kind to see it fed so pretty? So you see our good Father in heaven learns the little birds how to feed and take care of their little ones. I wish you could see and hear the birds here. Some are very bright in color and many sing different from the Northern birds altho we love them at home. I suppose you have seen them in the big trees at Grandpa’s. Papa has had lots of plums and blackberries lately, and delicious fruit will soon be ripe but little Lulu must take kisses instead of these things now. Is Grandpa and Ma [Grandma] and Uncle Frank well? Will write them by and by. I sent you a butterfly and some wings of another color as a specimen of what we see here and some “hanging moss” that grows on trees here and looks very beautiful. You must make a little cabinet to keep the little things I send you in. Are you making your little scrap book yet of pictures and pretty pieces? Love to all and a kiss from Papie Write me soon. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE (Josef Rokus) After Jerome enlisted, Allie and Lulu moved in with her parents (Grandpa and Grandma). Frank (Franklin) Jaquith was Allie’s younger brother. He was born in 1839 and died in 1922, and he also served in the Civil War. 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 Lulu, June 22, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Lulu Vicksburg, MS. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to 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 1863-06-22 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Group, Jim Bois (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 5.9 X 8.65 5.9 X 8.65 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 #133 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 Vicksburg, MS. Jerome Peirce Lulu Vicksburg MS https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3bc77cdd114f7726125c5a5760ba1b16.jpg 136aa330b76391b632c96e7c97c3fee9 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0ba7f3769cec1a5b125df2cbc11d95c2.jpg bcc17ca6278816c12816d4b00c573361 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/5e9df0144181b7557b96fc5a1a329f63.jpg 081ca0015dec021b8a0dab92c82ada3b https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0084d991361e724957f97ef167a21b01.jpg 6032db2aad26831e8ee14ea7979c5159 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/2edf58b0990a3ce1cb92f86f5d70c995.jpg 8711949992ba50897c1d566550155943 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/066f550ba1c3fba23702f6cea0ceb184.jpg ea25e2fdb2e76c51310946e4df9b1396 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 Rear of Vicksburg, Miss 22nd June 1863 My ever dear wife, Have just finished breakfast and the “orderly” just handed me yours of the 10th and last Friday after I had mailed one to you. I received yours of the 7th and a nice letter from Miss Walker in reply to mine written while on the “Morgan Scout”. There must be a back mail as your last before these was May 26th. They came via Louisville while our regular mail must be at Cincinnati. Well, dear Allie, we have moved a little ways again since my last on Friday, about three miles further towards V. [Vicksburg] and where we can hear a fearful booming of the guns when they choose to do so. Sat. [Saturday] was a fearful day and the night before, but since that time it, has been rather quiet although they pound away in the night some. They are completely cut off and a vast army, of which we are a part, [is] waiting to meet any reinforcements which may attempt to reach them and it is only a question of time. I wish you could just peep in and see our tent and I think you would feel that we could find a pleasant nook. It is pitched in a little shady spot among locust trees of small growth while the whole country is teeming with blackberries and wild plums of which we have feasted abundantly and they do us good and not hurt. We are to relieve a Western Regt. (Ills. [Illinois]) and expect in the course of the day to move a little way and into rifle pits which command the approaches in every direction. We are now on the regular road to V. [Vicksburg] and about 10 miles from it. I made a mistake in my last in saying So. East. I meant No. East of V. [Vicksburg]. I can hardly describe the country. The soil is very soft and deep. Consequently, heavy rains from the most fantastic and frightful gullies cutting through and forming deep cuts from ten to fifty and even a hundred feet deep while the deep dells and gorges where the water courses are filled with a wild gigantic growth of timber. In one of these we have to descend to get water a mile and a half strong from camp. Water, indeed, is the hardest thing to obtain, such a contrast to Ky. [Kentucky] for [what we] got is not so good as the former but we have learned not to be fastidious. The weather is variable, one day exceedingly hot and burdensome causing a scarcity of clothing which is quite amusing and then cooling as this morning which is quite delightful. So that we adapt ourselves to all weathers. I sport for a load of contents of knapsack as follows: half a woolen blanket, two pieces of tent, rubber blanket, two shirts (one on me), ditto socks, a little bag with my Shakespeare, etc., sewing tools, a piece or two of cloth, brush and hairbrush, a very small hatchet (bought at Cairo and invaluable in camp and writing material making a very little pack. Canteen and haversack being the worst part of our load, now adding, of course, gun and equipments, “40 rounds”. Am so happy to tell you that I am well and fully myself again having to all appearances recovered from the effects of the journey from Ky. [Kentucky] and having no duty, only when the Regt. moves. I am favored and find much time for precious thoughts, reading, etc., etc. I was glad to receive the letter from Miss Walker. Said you had promised to visit her with Lulu. Little darling hope you’ll get the letter with the one I wrote her. Will add a little in this. Have some rare precious hours with our “rare” Ben E. strolled away yesterday P.M. [Ate] blackberries and related personal histories and experiences and ours have been wonderfully alike in some things. I never can be too thankful for such a friend meeting as he does my inmost wants and tempering my thoughts and actions in many ways. He always sends a kindly word for you. Let me tell you [how] happy I am that you are enjoying life so well. Express my gratitude to the friends for all their kindness and tell them I can endure to the end if I am but remembered and my loved ones are cared for. My thoughts often revert to the Pratts. I appreciate fully their thoughts of me and am quite content to still be remembered as one of their boys for those were precious hours, those delightful evenings at their house in C [Charlestown]. Shall we ever forget them? I enclose a little more of the “hanging moss” which you can share with the friends. The magnolia leaves discolor badly. I wish you could see them in their beauty. I want to hear more about Frank’s getting home. Is he well? No news from the East for a long time. Have not seen Alonzo for a day or two. The feeling here is that with Vicksburg down, goes the Rebel “House”, so might it be! Will add a word which you may send to Lu with the butterfly and wings which we, “Ben and I”, captured yesterday. Col. Bowman is “C.B.” (Commanding Brigade). We see little of him now. Col. Norton commands the Regt. He is very pleasant and so is Col. B. [Bowman], some talk to the contrary not withstanding. Say as little about officers as possible. This for you. Remember to friends, Phipps, Smith (C.F.) and all and believe me as ever your loving husband Jerome P. I send a “Passion flower”, very beautiful growing. P.S. Direct [letters] as follows: 36th Mass. Vols. 9th “A. C” [Army Corps] Leave off “Burnside’s” Dept. via Cincinnati TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: The Unit History summarizes the movements of the Regiment from June 10, 1863, until July 4, 1863, as follows. “The steamer “Meteor” carried the 36th Massachusetts Regiment from Cairo by way of Columbus, Kentucky; Memphis, Tennessee; Helena, Arkansas; and Columbus, Arkansas, to Snyder’s Bluff, where it disembarked. On June 20, it went into camp near Vicksburg, Mississippi, as part of the Union’s siege of that city.” The regiment consisted of approximately 760 officers and men at that time. The Confederates surrendered the city on July 4, 1863, marking an important turning point in the Civil War. In the Company Muster Roll for May – June 1863, Peirce was recorded as “Present.” Below is pictured the only Civil War monument that could be found that honors the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment. Known as the Massachusetts State Memorial, it is located on Grant Avenue at Grant Circle on the Vicksburg Battlefield and was the first state memorial erected within the Vicksburg National Military Park. The monument cost $4,500 and was dedicated on November 14, 1903. The statue of a Union soldier, sculpted by Theo Alice Ruggles Kitson, is mounted on a 15-ton boulder from Massachusetts. The inscription on the bronze plaque on the base reads MASSACHUSETTS TRIBUTE TO THE 29th, 35th AND 36th REGIMENTS VOLUNTEER INFANTRY 9th ARMY CORPS NOTE 2: The Siege of Vicksburg (May 18 – July 4, 1863) was the final major military action in the Vicksburg Campaign of the Civil War. In a series of maneuvers, Union Maj. Gen. Ulysses S. Grant and his Army of the Tennessee crossed the Mississippi River and drove the Confederate Army of Mississippi, led by Lt. Gen. John C. Pemberton, into the defensive lines surrounding the fortress city of Vicksburg, Mississippi. Vicksburg was the last major Confederate stronghold on the Mississippi River; therefore, capturing it completed the second part of the Northern strategy, the Anaconda Plan. When two major assaults (May 19 and 22, 1863) against the Confederate fortifications were repulsed with heavy casualties, Grant decided to besiege the city beginning on May 25. After holding out for more than forty days, with their reinforcement and supplies nearly gone, the garrison finally surrendered on July 4. NOTE 3: The “Ben E.” referred to in the 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 4: The “Alonzo” Jerome referred to in this letter was Seth Alonzo Ranlett. Ranlett enlisted in Co. B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment as a Private on July 24, 1862, at age 22, and he was from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was promoted to First Sergeant on August 27, 1862, and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on December 1, 1862. On December 17, 1862, he was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment. He was mustered out “on account of physical disability from disease incurred in the service” on February 20, 1864. Ranlett was born on March 18, 1840, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and he died May 21, 1905, in Newton, Massachusetts. Ranlett’s wife was Ellen Peirce Ranlett, with a date of birth of March 22, 1842, and a date of death of January 12, 1914. They were married on January 21, 1864. Ellen Peirce was one of the children of Foster Peirce and his wife Catherine Abby Beaman. Also, Foster Peirce was a brother of Jerome. Therefore, the Ellen that Jerome mentions in his letters was one of Jerome’s nieces, and starting on January 21, 1864, Alonzo was the husband of one of his nieces. NOTE 5: Col. Bowman was Henry Bowman, from Clinton, Massachusetts, who enlisted as a Captain in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteers on August 1, 1861. He was captured at Ball’s Bluff, Loudon County, Virginia, on October 21, 1861. He was a prisoner of war at Richmond and was a hostage for Confederates held in New York for trial as pirates. Bowman was exchanged in August 1862. On August 22, 1862, he was promoted to colonel, commanding the 36th Massachusetts. He resigned on July 27, 1863, but was recommissioned in October of 1863. He subsequently served in different units, including at Baltimore and Philadelphia until the close of the war. NOTE 6: John B. Norton enlisted at age 39 from Charlestown, Massachusetts, as a First Lieutenant. He was promoted to Captain on July 8, 1861, and was transferred to the 36th Massachusetts Regiment on August 22, 1862. Shortly thereafter, on August 28, 1862, he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. He commanded the Regiment only from June 1, 1863, until July 30, 1863, which included the date that this letter was written. For reasons not specified in the Unit History, he resigned on July 30, 1863. 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, June 22, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Vicksburg, 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 1863-06-22 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.35 X 4 6.35 X 8.65 10.7 X 8.65 5.9 X 8.65 5.9 X 8.65 5.9 X 8.65 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 #132 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Rear of Vicksburg, MS. Allie Jerome Peirce Vicksburg MS https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/1d80979e4771acaba92c5f6a9f7e356d.jpg dc38ad34b720f0df6bcd3bd5e30de316 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/cbb319282d58aa21ff355ea939ee6449.jpg 8ac7a19a959ed0de588f94fda52a01ed https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/44ae090cc30d711da9fef882727d1dd0.jpg 60accce1a90e49b9ee8318cf6f14748d https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b30b90c466e4cbdf11e17f3e0e5dd55f.jpg cbad666033f84de93d478bbb1846db46 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b7eb195be9a2d849a3be92a4bdb67ba6.jpg 91acefc8e0a0c4f66db52a391481340d https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/cc5cfd7a4e8e2077347e068633d6cd23.jpg 386f06e19a7a48f0ab7fa0d1fb208018 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/f4690140a6ee3826ab6871e61232d7cb.jpg c46d6a3ac0954037c077d42db6720837 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 Camp four miles from “Synders Landing” Miss. 17th June 1863 My dearest Wife, Once more in camp, in the “old Mississippi State!” Mail arrangements being completed. I sit me down for a chat with you, with a “right smart chance” of being interrupted. My last was mailed at Lake Providence (Tues eve. 16th) and I can do no better to begin with you, than to give a few notes from my diary. After mailing your last Tues 16th, low flat country, ruins of plantations continually. Wedns 17th. 88th Anniversary of “Bunker Hill”, off before daylight, cool and cloudy. 9 A.M. Passed “Milliken’s Bend”, “My Wife‘s Island.” Cannonading at Vicksburg heard distinctly P.M. A short stop at “Young’s Point” (at the mouth of the Yazoo [River]), where a large number of troops are assembled up the “Dark Yazoo,” true to the way the shore being thickly wooded to the water’s edge. To “Snyder’s Landing,” (or “Bluff”) we landed and marched some four miles to the present camp. Vast number of troops, and formidable earthworks, and rifle pits for miles, it being one of the roads where Johnston is expected to attempt a reinforcement. Very bluffy and great position to defend. Rough scenery but wild and of tropical luxuriance, the “gum tree” magnolia, fig, and oaks, and host of others with “oceans” of blackberries forming still another changing scene. Our camp rests on a ridge, just room for a single row of tents each side of the path, while there are deep ravines, each side. Some magnificent, gigantic trees completely covered with running vines, while the magnolia seems, with its deep rich green and reddish tints, the monarch of the forest Thurs 18th Pitched tent over again, alone, high and airy, A.M. Blk [Black] berrying with Corpl. Ben E. [Edmands], warm but obtained a goodly mess for dinner with sugar, fried pork and toasted “Hard Tack,” and nice coffee, made a fine treat. Returned to camp a little past noon, when found them packing for a change of camp. Eve. No move yet, berrying again, a new place, and such a feast!! Dark as we came in, Picket caught us, no serious result, pronounced dangerous to wander far from camp, but such temptation! after a week’s journey on a close steamer, with bad stomachs and as bad rations!! Had a nice “sit down” with B. E. [Ben Edmands] at coffee. Retired quite late, to recall the scenery of the day. Very warm, but health improving rapidly, appetite excellent, while the birds charm anyone to health. No firing heard, of consequence. Fri 19th Noon Still in Camp. Nice breakfast with berries. B.E. woke me early, and we went for water and to wash. A.M. busy “fixing”, sewing, washing a little, and getting things snug in my knapsack. Gathered some of the “hanging moss,” which adorns the trees, and forms one of the most beautiful features of the woods. Also gathered a magnolia leaf or two to send home. Received a little call and a word from the Adjt. yesterday and today. No mail yet. Div. P.M. [Post Master] expected sometime. J.E. Hills of our Co. appointed P.M. [Post Master] to the Brigade, and a mail promised every day. There, my dear wife, what can I add to this, for I have improved the record a little, and I believe anticipated any questions you will ask. We know not where or when we may move to but not far till V. [Vicksburg] falls. They “pound away” every day a little, but take their time, as they feel confident of success and do not choose to sacrifice lives by assaults. We form a portion of the troops to look out for Joe Johnston who is in the neighborhood of the “Big Black” with 35,000 or so, so report says today. It is said there are nearly 200,000 troops about here, and the rescue of Vicksburg is impossible by anything the rebs can bring, that Grant is determined Western troops shall have the honor of its capture etc. Banks is near Port Hudson and we may yet join him etc., etc. We are So. East of V. [Vicksburg] about 10 miles by road, 4 from the Yazoo River. I hope you have maps that you can follow us. My health improves daily and the little march here from the boat done me good. I forgot to mention some big guns I saw at the landing, left by the Rebels. The carriages were burned by our men, for fear they might be retaken. They were at work repairing them for further use. The country, as I have mentioned, is hilly, or short, sharp, steep declivities, and at one point near the river was a grand view thru the valley of the “Yazoo”, which is clear and winding. Saw two beautiful red birds, and a number of lizards this morning, which reminds us of the tropical region. Peaches and apples next month. The Bk [Black] Berries have done us much good and you may be sure we shall live “within the limits of becoming prudence” for awhile. I must speak again of the moss I send. They use it for stuffing mattresses, letting it rot there as a fine black hair, which you can hardly tell from curled horsehair. You will see what a silvery look it has. I wish you could see it hanging from these great trees! Beautiful. I send one matured magnolia leaf such as surrounds the blossom which is white and resembles the (I don’t know the spelling) Chaponica. I will try and sketch it. The thing is a poor imitation. The small leaves are young and not from the flower but the tree. I will send more of the large ones sometime, for I think they [are] elegant, and I hope you will be able to keep them green by putting them in water and someway. I wish you could see the tree, so rich. The moss lives on air. Am sorry to bend the leaf, but hope you can press it out, so as to hide the marks. No news from the North since we were at Memphis and it seems as tho’ we are out of the world. A few wood colored hamlets only denoting living beings about here, and those black mostly. Once more, tell the friends my writing must be limited. So hot. It takes us all the time to take care of ourselves, washing, meals, and resting. I spoke in a former letter of looking up the Wymans. Don’t know as I shall ever get any nearer Yazoo City, but I may possibly run upon some reb prisoners who may know of them. Saw some on my way to camp but could not stop to speak with them. Deserters are coming in constantly. Some think we shall return to Ky. [Kentucky] as soon as V. [Vicksburg] falls, others that we shall push on to the Gulf eventually. Am quite happy at the return of my strength and usual health again, and again I am thankful. No more signs of battle or danger than before as we can see. Let me again hope dear ones that tho’ distant, you are in health as I know you are in the same good keeping. Trust you will get all my letters from Cairo, Memphis, Lake P. [Providence]. Direct still to Cincinnati as the destination of the Corps is still uncertain. Boys all well. Shall tent with the Woodward of O. [Orange]. Love to each and all friends, and hoping soon to hear from the same. Accept the entire love of your husband, Jerome Boys all well. Leaves of the Canebrake [tree] which is a feature here. [These are] the top leaves which tips the peaks. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Snyder’s Landing is not a name of a town today in the Vicksburg, Mississippi, area and probably wasn’t at the time of the Civil War either. Most likely, the 36th Massachusetts was camped on land owned by a Mr. Snyder which had a landing on the Mississippi River. NOTE 2: The “chaponia” he referred to is the Camellia Japonica shrub. It is known as common camellia, Japanese camellia, or Tsubaki in Japanese, and is one of the best known species of the genus Camellia. Sometimes called La Peppermint or the Rose of Winter. It is the official state flower of Alabama. NOTE 3: Ben (Benjamin) B. Edmands enlisted as a Private at age 27 from Brookline, Massachusetts, and he was subsequently promoted to Corporal. On January 20, 1864, he was discharged from the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment for promotion as a Lieutenant in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers. NOTE 4: James E. Hills enlisted at age 20 from Orange, Massachusetts, on August 7, 1862, three days after Jerome enlisted. He was discharged on June 8, 1865. upon his expiration of service. NOTE 5: Philip G. Woodward enlisted as a sergeant in Company H at age 25 from Orange, Massachusetts. He was promoted to Second Lieutenant on October 26, 1863, and to First Lieutenant on May 15, 1864. Shortly thereafter, he was wounded in action at Cold Harbor, Virginia, on June 3, 1864. His last promotion was to Captain on October 11, 1864. Woodward was mustered out with the Regiment on June 8, 1864. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, June 17-19, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Snyders Landing, 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 1863-06-17-19 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Paul and Louise Marahrens (Transcribers) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.1 X 3.9 6.1 X 8.7 10.65 X 8.7 5.8 X 8.7 5.8 X 8.7 10.7 X 8.7 5.85 X 8.7 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 #131 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 four miles from Snyders Landing, MS. Allie Jerome Peirce MS. Snyders Landing https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/2ed362d1d969b7e2b358a23ef91f7773.jpg e4eefb1431109db4dfaeffc6e75634e6 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/27107b88783276b0c054eec3fb69a70d.jpg 5f0f34027a5d2d5182ca407a2fbd58bf https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/c94f3a51af1fe4ae49cd0eeffde72233.jpg b14256db29b2cdb1751ad86ddcc92e23 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/cd5ad4d53937e39e1ed48c4b0d4d10c3.jpg c186815b42fd3085c1851e17d159ccc2 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 Steamer “Meteor” Miss. River Tues. P.M. 16th June 1863 Ever dear Wife, Just after dinner and I have taken a seat in the saloon and altho there is a great deal of confusion and stir, yet I felt I must commence something to you. Wrote you Sunday with a letter to Lulu and one from prior w. Ben. E. enclosed. Hope you’ll receive it safely. We had a “big bag full” of mail on the boat just before we left Mo. [Missouri] but from some unaccountable reason, not a thing save one newspaper for the 36th and we were sadly disappointed. Left Memphis Sunday P.M. and we are still working down the river for some point near Vicksburg, don’t know exactly where. Life is quite the same from day to day till last eve. and this a.m. when we begin to realize that we are nearing a hostile country. While the music and the jokes were passing last eve., our alarm came from the shore from our pickets firing and for a few moments there was a stir, but soon all subsided. (I forgot to mention that the boat’s six in our fleet. All “haul in” shore at night and start early in the morning.) This morning we are going along under convoy of two gunboats when just before dawn an attack took place from the Ark. [Arkansas] shore (some ways below, Napoleon) and we were soon ready with loaded pieces and one guard on deck popped away in reply, while the gunboat shot ahead and commenced shelling the woods. No one was hit and but few, if any, struck the boat, so it proved bloodless and rather exciting that fearful. For some, who have not quite learned “to keep cool”, flew round deck quite lively. The attack took place in a big bend in the river where the boat has to hug the shore and covered with thick woods. The [gun]boats remained behind and shelled the place severely while we slacked up a little while, but we are now moving on again all right and the usual scene cards, reading, chatting, etc., etc. Have experienced some of unpleasant effects of the climate and water but nothing to alarm. We have little variety of food and the water “tells” but shall come out all right. There is a cool breeze and ‘tis quite pleasant although the officers are the noisiest folks we have on board. (I just whisper this.) Have finished “Great Expectations” and don’t think much of it. If the ‘boys” would save the books, we should have a large library (of light reading) in camp, although we may be too busy to read much, but it helps pass time very pleasantly and not harmfully. Have not played a game of cards on board yet. Looked over two of your letters this a.m. and trust you are still well and as happy as can be in the premises for I know you will feel more as distance grows between us. No news from “below” since we left Mo. [Missouri]. Expect to leave the boat tomorrow and Thurs. [Thursday]. The weather affects me in inducing indolence and summer weakness. So tell the friends not to expect much writing from me and on board steamer everything is coal smut and neatness [is] impossible. Have not seen the Adjutant since he was on deck w. a gun etc., to get a pop at the rebs. this A.M. About 7 P.M. Lake Providence. Just arrived and a mail closing coming. Say good bye. A surreal sight and the first genuine plantation scenes, slaves by scores, and such female structures. Am feeling nicely this eve. No further trouble from guerillas. As ever with love to all, your Jerome We have a mail but not yet assorted. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: “Ben E.” 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 2: The “Napoleon” cannon, officially known as the 12-pounder bronze gun model 1857, was a smooth-bore cannon that fired a twelve-pound cannon ball. The gun weighed 1,200 pounds but was considered a light gun. This cannon could fire either an explosive shell or solid shot up to a mile in distance. It could also accurately fire canister shot up to 300 yards. Both the North and the South used “Napoleon” cannons because of their firepower and reliability. The Union military manufactured the cannon in great numbers during the course of the war. The South basically copied the Union gun so it was slightly different, but it still fired the same 12-pound shell. It was first used during the Tudor period and was commonly used during the Napoleonic Wars, 1799-1815. It was named after Napoleon III. NOTE 3: “Great Expectations” is a novel written by Charles Dickens in 1861. NOTE 4: “Lake Providence” was then, and is still today, a small community and the name of a lake just on the Louisiana side of the Mississippi River approximately 50 miles north of Vicksburg, Mississippi. The Battle of Lake Providence was fought near there on June 9, 1863, during the Vicksburg Campaign, just a few days before this letter was written. 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, June 16, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie "Meteor" 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 1863-06-16 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 5.65 X 3.15 5.16 X 7.98 10.26 X 7.98 5.16 X 7.98 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 #130 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant On the steamer "Meteor" on the Mississippi River (Lake Providence, LA.) "Meteor" Allie Jerome Peirce