2 10 38 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/9338b4006fb419d22d35bace429449a3.jpg 3dc2e18033bf874aa30807eafb8732cd https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/20a53e065593290d7b139846e99462ab.jpg 302e5fe58b0674a91e4bc2742f94ca6a https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/a74a93f69ae53e3774329492154b6033.jpg 72f5f16101026c7f7b7dd1cdc69ca962 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 1864 Letter Collection 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 Knoxville Tennessee Sat PM Mar 19 /64 My ever dear wife, What will you say as you see the heading of this letter? Knoxville again! Orders came last Wedns [Wednesday] eve as we were laying on the “backside” and among the “Knobbs” of Morristown some 44 miles from here, and at 6 a.m. Thurs [Thursday] morn we came on the march with the full understanding that we are really bound North! Reached here this morn and are camped near Fort Sanders, of bloody memory. Had some steady and severe marching but I am happy to tell you that I am doing well. Some lame in the right knee and another boil on my neck. But my general health is mostly improved. When we came in we expected to go via Chattanooga [to] go home. (to Annapolis Md rumor says) but now we hear that we are going to march over the mountains and are ordering shoes. Since we came in we’ve had full rations of bread issued and expect the meat, coffee and sugar, etc., something new you know. Have not heard from you for two weeks about. Expect a mail this eve. One has just come and brought a nice letter from Rev. Ballou (of Orange). The ‘boys’ are reading it. It seems good to be remembered thus. Hope I shall hear from home this eve. Had a letter from Nellie Ranlett a day or two since and replied immediately. It seems the friends are looking up a Commission for ‘Poor Me.’ Well, for their and your sakes, I hope sometime to be so fortunate, financially I mean, thus to you for there is much in an officers’ situation[s] that is not enviable. Have applied to the Company Commander Lieut[enant] Daniels for a ‘recommend’ to the Maj(or) merely as a help. But as I can not [Missing word where a word was crossed out] Sergt. (Orderly) and as I know not who or how many are looking and working that way I don’t know what success I shall meet with regimentally. But time will tell. I am writing in haste as Jos H. is here. Has just written home and will mail this. George Edmunds is again with the Regt. Came a day or two since. Has been kind and carried my gun occasionally on the late march. Wished to be remembered. Think we shall remain here tomorrow. Paymaster is here and the Maj[or] informed us we should probably be paid here. If so, you will hear from me substantially, I trust, before I get North. But there many uncertainties you know. Let us hope for the best, and that ere long I shall be within three days (by mail) from you with a bare possibility of getting home. If ever men deserve furloughs ‘tis the army of E. Tenn[essee]. But as I have been home, should have to give way to others. But if there is a possible chance I shall do all I can to do so, but don’t build hopes on what I say. Weather here is chilly, good roads and fine marching. Always expecting the ‘common lot’ fatigues, etc. If we do go over the mountains of course should write but little and to you. As ever my thoughts are ever of you and the dear one at P.V. [Based on other letters, possibly “Pleasant Valley”]. What of good or ill is in the future, the Good Father only knows, but hope all for the best. The boys are wild almost with joy at leaving this Dept. with ‘fear and trembling’ that the rebs may yet create a necessity for our remaining yet awhile longer. But officers and men alike are anxious to see the other side of the mountains and our own Atlantic Shore. Love to all, and regards to friends. We have a full band attached to our Brigade which keeps us up ‘muchly.’ As ever your own, Jerome (A kiss for Lu[lu]) TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Tom Neubig and Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Envelope dated March 19, 1864. Postmarked March 21, 1864. To Mrs. Jerome Peirce, Billerica, Massachusetts. Front of envelope has additional notation: Mr. Ballou letter in this. That letter is #200. NOTE 2: The 36th Regiment was in Knoxville during the siege from Nov. 14 to December 7, 1863. Fort Sanders was the location of the heaviest fighting involving Longstreet’s forces on November 29, 1863. According to the Unit History, although not actively engaged that day, the 36th Brigade was within view of the Fort, and had a “bloody memory” of that day. NOTE 3: Knobbs, typically knobs, are hills in this region of Tennessee and Kentucky. Morristown is north-east of Knoxville. NOTE 4: Nellie Ranlett’s husband, Seth Alonzo Ranlett, enlisted as a private from Charlestown, at age 22, on July 24, 1862. He was promoted several times and became a first lieutenant on December 1, 1862. He mustered out of the service on February 20, 1864, due to physical disability from disease. NOTE 5: First Lieutenant Henry W. Daniels commanded Company H for a time. He was also killed at Spotsylvania Court House. (Unit History p. 169-170) NOTE 6: The “Jos. H.” he refers to almost certainly was Joseph H. Peirce. He enlisted as a private in Orange, Massachusetts, on August 4, 1862, at age 18. Jerome also enlisted in Orange, but as a corporal, on the same date, and he was 31 years old then. According to the Unit History, Joseph H. Peirce was taken Prisoner of War at Pegram Farm, Virginia, on September 30, 1864 and was later exchanged. He was discharged on June 21, 1865. Jos. H Peirce was a nephew of Jerome. NOTE 7: As he also mentioned in another letter, Jerome had applied for an officer’s (Second Lieutenant’s) commission. Of course, he never received that promotion. However, it is interesting to speculated how his fate might have been different at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House if he had. NOTE 8: As it has in other letters, his strong religious feelings come out again in this letter. NOTE 9: Jerome mentions that he had “been home” in this letter. Per his Service Record, he was assigned to recruiting duty in Massachusetts starting on September 15, 1863. He was “Present” again for duty by November 1, 1863. It is not clear whether by “home” in this letter he means “Massachusetts” in general or Jerome and Allie’s actual home in the Boston area. It is possible that as other letters are transcribed, this question will be answered. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter / Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, March 19, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Knoxville, 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 1864-03-19 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). 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 #202 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Knoxville, TN. Allie Jerome Peirce Knoxville TN. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/39c14d98fc2c0e62a3f41ea22226ca69.jpg 268b216190692cf7d82ef07afb559bf4 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/810073fae8d9cfc5cdd3b32349b9c50f.jpg 634d250924fbdf21dada222f119fdb89 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/865185d34f6e6b05a35b4733e7612c16.jpg 898115648a222504585835937df56fe7 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/837edd72ff9bcb149b82bf90ee5d631a.jpg 653619405afbf29fc6b0e9af6d4d978a https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/fa5b5e4f3307b0c933a5a4af85e0774f.jpg 23aadb19bfbc3b94aa8c1b525b4d65f3 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3c89cde29d3226635bf50215b4db26bd.jpg 732494bb16329ebc07562e3211a43bef 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 1864 Letter Collection 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 Camp near “Mossy Creek” E. Tenn. Fri. 11 Mch. [March] 1864 My ever Dear Wife and little one, How shall I begin another chat with you? There is just now so much to think of. Have been quietly in camp now for some days, but this morning early came the word, “Move again tomorrow,” and there followed the usual preparation and I have been so busy fixing for the same. But first let me tell you that I have rested up to some purpose and feel more like my old self. The last letter or two was sober and I fear caused you more anxiety than it ought to altho’ I have suffered in the last movement from Knoxville from sore feet for lack of proper shoes and boils but I am so glad to tell you that all is improved now. Have a good pair of Army shoes, the best thing under the sun, for marching. Got them within a day or two, feet are quite well, boils ditto and then the nice long home letter of Feb. 15 came to hand the other eve. and the three “Ploughmans” last eve. with the “Register” which comes regularly. Also a nice letter from Will and Hattie of 20th inst. One from [E???] P. and so you see I ought to be better. Tonight no doubt I shall have one from your dear self and I would like to see it before closing this, but mail goes at 3 o’clk and I must not risk the chances of the ‘morrow. And again last eve. came the knapsacks all safe. You can hardly realize at home how much we think of them, especially after we’ve learned how to load and carry them and as I caught sight once more of my little “Cowper” Bible, sewing bag, portfolio, I felt home again “all right.” This a.m. have sewed all the time making a new sugar bag, salt ditto, and a big “reticule” like to put the little things in so I can catch them if I have again to abandon the knapsack. Of our future movements I shall not attempt to say much again. Towards Bristol, they say, to Morristown and “Penns Station”, from there I hope we shall cut for Tazewell, Cumberland Gap and North, but of course all is uncertain. I suppose the truth is our communications are open. Bridge at Strawberry Plains repaired and everything, so supplies can come forward and now we take one more step and that is all we can divine. We are yet sanguine of coming North, but we’re not yet wanted there and are of use here. The poor little 9th A. C. [Army Corps] are now a terror to the Rebs and are worth any 5000 of the best troops hereabouts and that is speaking modestly. Rations are not yet all we could ask in variety or quantity, altho’ when actually on the move, we have plenty of hard bread, pork, and some “dried beef” as we call it from the fact that its driven along with the Army till it is poor enough, “dried on the bones.” For health we need beans, rice or once in a while, desiccated vegetables, which is a big thing when we’ve time to cook it, as I have twice yesterday and today. Soak and boil some two hours, then fry in fat with dissolved hard tack, making an excellent “hash.” Then have I not given you enough about victuals? Well, it is a serious thing here in E. [East] Tenn. and you want to know something about it. Spring is coming rapidly here, is come indeed. Birds are singing sweetly and the weather is more like our April, rain every day almost, then warm sunshine, as it was, and is, today, while the wind is sighing thru the trees as I’ve heard it in old P.V.! Dear old spot with its inmates! How much I live with you! I call you to mind in your new dress you spoke of very kind in Nellies [Nellie’s letter] and becoming to you, I think. And little Lulu! What would she say if she could peep in and see her Papa sitting here writing as fast as he can surrounded by the city of little tents, my tin plates and dishes by my side and all that. Such is life with us both. I mentioned the last letter of yours, 21st Feb., and how much good it done me, and I hope your poor head will not ache so much. Abbie’s [letter] (the 15th [Jan.] letter) spoke of you being sick with it. The letter was late a little. I do hope this will find you in a state to reciprocate my more cheerful mood, and I trust both of us will find the future brightening. News is not altogether favorable, but I am firm in the belief that a few more months will be bright with promise. I trust the politicians will not block the wheels by their wranglings about who shall be next President. Many of the ‘boys’ are returning to the Reg’t. and one Co. has one ‘Raw Recruit’ from Northfield (a good fellow). Co. B has two or three fine little men and some come up, so our Reg’t. looks quite full. Ben and I have our long confabs as usual. He’s had most an excellent picture of his wife, ‘Amy’, last eve., one of the finest timings I ever saw, taken just as she had on a pleasant smile. A ‘Milliniotype’ [Melainotype] or some such name, on tin, but rich in shade, life like and expressive, very. He of course was delighted. She has left the “Patridges” [Partridges?] and gone to live with a family of “Cranes”. Ben laughs considerable of the birds with whom her lot is cast but he thinks the change from “Patridge” to “Crane” will be for her benefit. She takes music lessons, etc. etc. and I expect is a great favorite. But how of home? Does it begin to look like spring yet? Suppose you hear from Worcester and all about the house hunting, housekeeping etc., etc. and how much I thought of our early beginnings in that line. And what an eventful “since”! It seems as ‘tis I had lived 20 yrs. since then. This War makes all things seem so vast and strange. But time flies and it will not be long before we shall enter upon the third year of our service. The time passes swiftly with me and if I can only have health and plenty of letters, papers, etc., how it will pass! You all speak of how Lulu loves books etc. You will not need to urge her and I hope her physical health will keep pace as I judge it will if she is any as her father was. She little knows how much I long to clasp you both once more to my heart and feel that I am indeed a husband and father once more. ‘Twould do your heart good to see us taking out and looking at the pictures of our dear ones. Ah, don’t feel that we grow cold midst the rough scenes of the field and camp! Far otherwise! Saw letters from Orange of Jos. Henry’s. See him almost every day. Hannah and Preston were still there, and they had written to you, Mary and the boys (some of them). I write them as often as I can and they are very kindly in response. [They] have recently visited Mr. Ballou and made him a present, etc. of which you have heard no doubt. By the way, Capt. Sawyer is discharged from the service on account of disability and gone home. Had a valedictory letter from him at Covington, (Ky.) hospital a few days since. I did not think we should see him again. Talk gives Brigham of Co. “I”, now at home recruiting, as our next Capt., late 1st Lieut., an agreeable, talented fellow and Davis that went home with us as Lieut. Wrote Will and Ben Haynes yesterday or day before. Don’t receive anything from Foster’s family or Alonzo yet. No cards. ‘Tis strange but I can’t think them neglectful. We’ve been so situated with my poor feelings added that I haven’t written half I’d like to. Lucy and Sarah (Jamestown) owe me letters yet. Mr. Clark I owe and hope he’ll, bear with me. Hope Mr. Sulloway has mine with the note to you ‘ere this. A poor affair, but I valued his and felt I must reply some way immediately. Regards to him always. Letters will be highly esteemed from him. I presume I shall omit something I ought to say. If I don’t answer questions or refer to things, you must know, lay it to surroundings, for there is always more or less confusion going on. Col. Joslin’s name is among those escaped lately from Richmond Prison. Will tells of an anticipated visit by and by at W. [Probably “Worcester”] Hope you will go and have a good time. Would we not enjoy it together! By the way, they mentioned sending a piece of cake in a box with the letter and I didn’t think to speak about it in my reply. Tell them it has not yet come. Hope it will, but I don’t know about it ever coming as the mails are limited to clothing and letters, papers etc., but hope it will come, and I shall appreciate it. It seems Joe was at home when you wrote. Does he live in L. [Almost certainly “Lowell”] and how comes on the business and who has father got with him? Tell me all about matters. Hope you visited Mrs. Eva B. with Frank. Am glad to be remembered by my B. [Probably “Boston”] friends as you mention. Bear me in mind to them in return. And now a word of thanks to Mother and all the family who write me. Frank, too. His letters are very welcome indeed. Will write as often as possible, as I think of you constantly. It is getting mail time and I must close. And you know full well how I close with my best love to you and a father’s kiss for the little darling Lulu. I never tire of hearing of her little ways and sayings, and I should like much to get into the “egg house” for a little while. Eggs are a myth here. Got a breakfast the other morning at a farm house for a little coffee. Had salt and fresh pork, fried, biscuit and molasses, and some kind of coffee, not Army, tho’. The man said grace before partaking. That was on the way to Strawberry Plains, a tiresome time. One of the boys in Co. B has “Wordsworth,” a small vol., his short pieces. I hope Lulu will learn by heart, sometime “We’re Seven” and “Sale of the Pet Lamb,” beautiful, both of them. Give me those opening lines of Keats’ “Endymion” sometime. Tomorrow, I may be on the march, maybe in camp, but love abundantly to all. And Ever your loving husband and father, Jerome Have abundance of stationery for the present, which I shall keep with me in future. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Jack Phend and Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Per the Unit History: December 20, 1863 – April 6, 1864. The regiment moved numerous times in eastern Tennessee, including in the Knoxville area, before being ordered to move by train, by way of Baltimore, to Annapolis, Maryland, where it arrived on April 6, 1864. NOTE 2: Based on other letters, P.V. is almost certainly “Pleasant Valley” a place close to home in Massachusetts where Jerome and Allie apparently spent some pleasant times together. NOTE 3: William Cowper (1731 -1800) was an English poet and hymnodist. He wrote a number of anti-slavery poems and his friendship with John Newton, who was an avid anti-slavery campaigner and who wrote “Amazing Grace”, resulted in Cowper being asked to write in support of the Abolitionist campaign. Cowper wrote a poem called "The Negro's Complaint" which rapidly became very famous, and was often quoted by Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., during the 20th century civil rights movement. NOTE 4: A “reticule” is a small handbag, often used by women, made of a netted fabric and usually having a drawstring. NOTE 5: Desiccated vegetables were vegetables that had been dried to preserve them. They were reconstituted with hot/boiling water. NOTE 6: “Melainotype” is another term for a tintype or ferrotype photograph. It is made by creating a direct positive on a thin sheet of metal coated with a dark lacquer or enamel and used as the support for the photographic emulsion. Tintypes enjoyed their widest use during the 1860s and 1870s, but lesser use of the medium persisted into the early 20th century. Note 7: The assumption that “L” refers to Lowell, Massachusetts, with “Joe” being Joseph Jaquith, is based on the following. In his letter dated March 5, 1864, Jerome used a flyer advertising the roofing business that Joseph Jaquith was engaged in for one page of that letter he sent to Allie. As indicated in it, Jerome was short of stationery when he wrote it. Allie’s maiden name was Jaquith, and the Joseph Jaquith referred to in the flyer is almost certainly Allie’s brother Joseph who was born in 1842. The flyer advertises a patented elastic roofing material to fireproof and waterproof roofs as well as roofing cement for pointing chimneys, etc. by a company located on Warren St. in Lowell, Massachusetts. Joseph Jaquith is listed as the “Agent” of that business. NOTE 8: The “Jos[eph] Henry” Jerome referred to in this letter, and frequently in other letters as “J.H.” or “Jos. H.”, was almost definitely 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. According to the Unit History, Joseph H. Peirce was taken Prisoner of War at Pegram Farm, Virginia, on September 30, 1864 and was later exchanged. He was discharged on June 21, 1865. The relationship between J.H. and Jerome could not be determined with absolute certainty; however, it is very likely that Jerome and J.H. were cousins. NOTE 9: Rev. Levi Ballou was the pastor at the church in Orange, Massachusetts, that the Peirce family attended and at which Jerome had been the “Sabbath School Superintendent” before he enlisted. NOTE 10: According to the Unit History, Captain Christopher Sawyer was discharged for disability on February 19, 1864, confirming the information in this letter. He had enlisted as a captain at age 28 from Templeton, Massachusetts, on August 22, 1862, and had been assigned to Company H, the same company Jerome served with. NOTE 11: According to the Unit History, Lieutenant William F. Brigham enlisted at age 23 from Marlborough, Massachusetts. He was discharged for disability on January 20, 1865. NOTE 12: "We Are Seven" is a poem written by English poet William Wordsworth (1770 – 1850) and published in his Lyrical Ballads. It describes a discussion between an adult poetic speaker and a "little cottage girl" about the number of brothers and sisters who dwell with her. The poem turns on the question of whether to count two dead siblings as part of the family. NOTE 13: The poem he refers to as “Sale of the Pet Lamb” by William Wordsworth is actually titled “The Pet Lamb.” NOTE 14: “Endymion” is a poem by John Keats first published in 1818. “Endymion” is written in rhyming couplets in iambic pentameter. Keats based the poem on the Greek myth of Endymion, the shepherd beloved of the moon goddess Selene. The following are the first few lines of the poem that Jerome asked Allie to send him. “A thing of beauty is a joy forever: Its loveliness increases; it will never Pass into nothingness; but still will keep A bower quiet for us, and a sleep Full of sweet dreams, and health, and quiet breathing. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter / Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie and Lulu ("My ever dear wife and little one"), March 11, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie and Lulu Camp near "Mossy Creek" E. Tenn. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie and Lulu Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1864-03-11 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Jack Phend (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). 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 #201 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Mossy Creek, E. Tenn. Allie and Lulu E. Tenn. Jerome Peirce Mossy Creek https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/30e3cf6a8eb4a1eee894d86b3338fdc6.jpg d9497d179b68a08121456c57947c8942 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/a78b6df549c52fbf719e6164cc4bc32c.jpg ed07518967e3fc90a10c7c5ae0d45cec https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/bc0ec6d11e623eb2d8f7ef72b333b1d6.jpg 89a121cc7ca90713451b2107d2cdc885 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 1864 Letter Collection 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 North Orange, Mass. March 7th, 1864 Bro. Peirce, Yours in answer to my last I rec’d long time ago, almost forgotten when, I recollect however that I then thought I should immediately write. But month after month has passed, and still I have delayed; not without some admonitions of remissness of duty however. But, although I have failed to write, I have not neglected to inquire after you, and learned thro’ your bro., his family and others, of your movements, hardships, weary marches, privations and etc. during the many months of your absence. I am sometimes almost bewildered, “struck dumb” when I think of the wide-spread sufferings and anguish caused by the wickedness of those who have for years been conspiring for the overthrow and destruction of the best form of government the world ever saw. The bitterness of separations, the broken ties that earth cannot restore, and the many valuable lives that are sacrificed. Why evil is permitted to exist in the world is a question that has often perplexed many minds. In our finite capacities, we truly “know but in part” and often “see as thro’ a glass darkly” the links in the chain of God’s government. But so much as this seems apparent to all now, that the foul blot of human bondage and oppression which has so long stained and cursed our nation God designs to be wiped away when this rebellion is put down. Tho’ I fear “the end is not yet,” and some hard battles must be fought still, I confidently trust that we are steadily approaching toward the end. Great advantages have been gained the past 12 months, and if no serious disaster befall us, the enemy must e’er long give up. No local news excepting that people here are generally expecting a wide-spread attack of the measles, as many are now just coming down with them. Your bro. called last eve. said Charles was pretty sick with them. Our friends here gave me a “surprise” 24th ult. by assembling at our house and presenting us about $37.00 cash. A generous donation, contributed by about 46 families here. The occasion was the more joyful as it came to us wholly unexpected and the company seemed bent upon having a cheerful good time. We prize it much not merely for the sum raised (however valuable that in itself may be) but for the spirit of friendship it speaks and the hallowed memories it awakens of former scenes and mutual labors for the cause of truth. We are all of us enjoying comfortable health—our children all being at home with us. Charles Morton is now here on a furlough of about 30 days having re-enlisted. The snow is almost all gone and the ways very muddy; the Spring seems earlier than usual. Remember us to all the Orange soldiers, Henry Mayo, Nelson Smith, Joseph H. Pierce, Edmund Ward, C. C. Harris, Artimus Goddard. The Lord bless them all. Br. Edwin Stevens ever faithful, true and worthy we can meet no more on earth; and Harrison Goddard, A. Bliss, D. Mellen, D. Stearns, H. Boyden all have offered up their lives on their country’s altar and fallen in a noble and worthy cause. Our heart’s prayer is that the others may be spared. Our children often speak of our former Superintendent of S[abbath] School. All wish to be remembered. Truly Yours Levi Ballou TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: The Rev. Levi Ballou conducted a funeral service for Sgt. Jerome Peirce on June 19, 1864, in the church in Orange, Massachusetts, where Jerome Peirce had been the Sabbath School Superintendent. NOTE 2: The following background information about Rev. Ballou and his papers from which the funeral service sermon is excerpted is based on information from the Rare Books and Special Collections Department of the Hesburgh Libraries of the University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, Indiana. Levi Ballou was born on May 10, 1806, in Halifax County, Vermont. The Ballou family, of Huguenot descent, was central to the history of denominational Universalism in America. Theologically, the Universalists rejected the predestinarianism of Puritan Calvinism and held to the distinguishing principle of the ultimate salvation of all humanity. Organizationally, they were committed to what at times became an extreme form of congregational autonomy. In terms of denominational strength, the movement probably peaked in the late 1840s. Levi Ballou’s great-uncle was Rev. Hosea Ballou (1771-1852), the most important American Universalist theologian of the early nineteenth century. An older brother, Rev. Hosea Ballou II (1796-1861), was the first president of Tufts College, established by the Universalists in 1853. Levi Ballou was a teacher and singing instructor before embarking on the study of theology. He began preaching in about 1836, itinerating mostly in the Connecticut Valley in Vermont, New Hampshire, and Massachusetts. In 1843, he settled at the first Congregational Parish and Society of Orange, Massachusetts, later known as the Second Universalist Society, in the north-central part of the state. The parish had long been supportive of Universalist doctrine. Ballou would remain there as pastor for the rest of his life. Besides preaching at Orange and in surrounding parishes, Ballou served on the Orange Public School Board and had an active interest in the establishment of Tufts College. He died of pneumonia on October 27, 1865, ten days after his last sermon at Orange. Rev. Ballou’s sermons and papers include around 70 manuscript sermons written on sheets sewn into octavo-sized booklets, which average approximately 30 pages in length and appear to date from throughout Ballou’s career. More than half are funeral sermons, including four written for members of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment who were killed in the Civil War. The papers also include a 224-page manuscript log kept by Ballou from 1836 until his death, in which he recorded the date, place, and scriptural premise of every sermon or lecture he delivered, often accompanied by the payment he received. The Ballou Papers were purchased by the Hesburgh Libraries of the University of Notre Dame in 2003 from Dan Casavant Rare Books of Waterville, Maine. They have been arranged and described by George Rugg, curator of the Rare Books and Special Collections Department of the Hesburgh Libraries. The sermon Rev. Ballou delivered at Sgt. Peirce’s funeral service is cataloged as “Folder 69 (MSN/EA 0502-69). Rev. Levi Ballou. Funeral sermon on 1 Corinthians 13:12. June 19, 1864. A funeral service delivered in North Orange, Massachusetts for Cpl. Jerome Pierce, Company H, 36th Massachusetts Infantry.” 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 [Rev.] Levi Ballou to Jerome, March 7, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie North Orange, MA. Description An account of the resource From [Rev.] Levi Ballou to Jerome 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 1864-03-07 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Charles Brewer (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). 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 #200 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant North Orange, MA. Jerome Peirce MA. North Orange Rev. 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Text Any textual data included in the document “Mossy Creek” E. Tenn Sat. morn 5th Mch/64 My ever dear wife and little one. Mail goes in a few moments and I can only send you a singe word to thank you for your most comforting letter of the 21st Feb just this moment. Should like to send a long letter with our movements which don’t amount to much so far only tiring out the men. Went as far as Morristown 12 miles from here, came back Wedns. [Wednesday]. Expected to have come back to Strawberry Plains, and a few of us went ahead Wedns. night but had to come back some 24 miles extra marching. Have been troubled with an abscess on my neck. It has opened and I am now quite smart again. Some lame in right knee but shall rest a day or two in camp, a general stop being put to movements. You will receive a note by Mr. Sallervay I hope written a week ago. Your account of his sermons and kindness are a great comfort to me, and your letter done me so much good. Oh Allie, I do take some comfort in my good name and trust I deserve it. I am certainly trying against many hardships to do something for the present day and generation and I hope you will keep up good courage to the end. You know I am without stationery or change of clothing. So you must accept such as I have. Have had some stormy weather but not cold. Rations are not full, but better than before. I think it is intended to hold our position and that soon we shall advance again. Building R.R. [Railroad] bridge at Strawberry Plains, etc., etc. Didn’t get the other letter from home or Boston yet. Please write Boston friends and tell them how I am situated. Expect my knapsacks but uncertain. The officers are doing all they can for us. It is a difficult thing to keep open communications for supplies, etc. We’re in the woods, expect to change camp as soon as the ground gets dry. Am sorry to send you thus poor affairs but will read your letter and do better as soon as I can. Knew you would feel anxious ab [about?] our hurried and strange movements spoken of in my letters from the [Strawberry] Plains. You may send me a pair of socks. Have the feet short somewhat as extra troubles in marching. Do not need anything else, especially if my things come up and weather getting warmer. We learn to get along with very little. Give much love to all the friends at Bedford too. Did Laura get my letter written a long time ago? You will please send a small sheet of paper and so I can write you regularly. Cannot [Insert “write”?] anyone else till my things come up, till then how it is. Bro. Ben is well and the kindest of friends to me. He will write you one of these days. You can hardly imagine the discomforts of these “light marching orders” movements. There is so much I would like to say to you but I think of you constantly and I feel daily more and more how much we must lean on the great Right Arm. Please write all often for letters are such a comfort and will reach me somehow. Love to each and all and a kiss for wife and Lulu from your own Jerome A nice lot of stamps now. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: Mossy Creek is a district or section in the southeast part of Jefferson City, Tennessee, in Jefferson County. It is located east of Knoxville, Tennessee, with Strawberry Plains located about halfway between Knoxville and Jefferson City. Mossy Creek was the site of a relatively minor Civil War battle on December 29, 1863. Morristown, Tennessee, is located just east of Jefferson City, Tennessee, about the same distance as Strawberry Plains is west of Jefferson City. NOTE 2: As indicated in the letter, Jerome was short of stationery when he wrote it. Consequently, the first page of this letter was written on the back of an advertising flyer summarized below. It should be noted that Allie’s maiden name was Jaquith. Therefore, the Joseph Jaquith who is named as the “Agent” in the flyer and who apparently distributed it is almost certainly Allie’s brother Joseph who was born in 1842. The flyer advertises a patented elastic roofing material to fireproof and waterproof roofs of all kinds as well as roofing cement for pointing chimneys, etc. by a company located on Warren St. in Lowell, Mass. Joseph Jaquith is listed as the Agent, with Wm. G. Clark of 67 Haverhill St., Boston, Mass., being the General Agent. NOTE 3: Strawberry Plains was then and is now a small community that straddles Jefferson, Knox, and Sevier counties in Tennessee and is located on the bank of the Holston River. Early in the Civil War, in 1861, the railroad bridge at Strawberry Plains was a target of Union sympathizers who tried to burn several East Tennessee bridges to hinder Confederate military progress. The conspirators failed in their efforts to burn the Strawberry Plains bridge, but they succeeded in their attacks of some of their other targets. NOTE 4: “Right Arm” undoubtedly refers to God. For example, in Psalms 98:1 there is a passage that reads, “O sing to the Lord a new song. For He has done wonderful things. His right hand and His holy arm have gained the victory for Him.” Having been a Sabbath School teacher at his church in Orange, Massachusetts, before he enlisted, Jerome would likely have been familiar with this and other passages in the Bible which indirectly refer to the “Right Arm” and God. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter / Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, March 5, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Mossy Creek, E. Tenn. 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 1864-03-05 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). 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 #199 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Mossy Creek, E. Tenn. Allie E. Tenn. Jerome Peirce Mossy Creek https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/47aa7c97d6c57a3fe5ce12914b8699a4.jpg 7c9ed5ace4f13df28abc457a3fd96078 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/9f26954d599b02e8962aab33dcfe0bc6.jpg 9cb1c52b7e7fb969d3aa4bd1e4b6bb70 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/ef2aa6a2d0792486c219236e30f4c97e.jpg 737c47e3abb8494f367c26c1a26d71b8 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/f15b22e65a4544449d3a1930dacdaab3.jpg 5d6add824865ede9eed1e2313f5b8202 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/4754d99537c67b7df619efa2f4e5dff8.jpg 488db66b1fe4d50c805f9d93e07a3e00 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 1864 Letter Collection 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 In the field. Sunday morning Feb. 28/64 Ever dear Allie, I wrote you a few days ago [???] just as we got orders to move. Thought it might be pleasant to hear a word thru Mr. S. I am without knapsack and many little things. Please send me a little thread, black alone will do and a darning needle, also a sheet and envelope, as I don’t know when my things will come up. Have only one more envelope and most of the boys are in the same fix. We still wait, drawing clothing this morning, a poor arrangement for we can’t carry it if we have it. My health is pretty good, a boil bothers me, feet better. Letters don’t all come up. Have not got the folks’. Mr. S’s I received yesterday, just as we camped a pleasant find [???] to meet me. Don’t know when I can mail this. Joe seems fairly set to work. Success to him! The following text was written on the top of Page 1, above the location and salutation: The “extract” was very pretty and true and what soldiers have to act upon a great deal. A kiss for Lulu. Yours of 15th received. As you will see by the above, will write when I can. Love and as ever, Jerome P.S. A little later. Have ascertained “what’s up”. We’re off tomorrow for Bristol, Va. or that direction, a grand advance. Shall go in “light order” with several days of rations and don’t know when I shall write again as it is uncertain when I get my things. The Spring Campaign is fairly opened. Have one more envelope and a slip or two more of paper and will write as I can. Am at Hd Quarters with Joe H. He is posted and gave me information. Hope and believe too that the next two months will decide much. Don’t worry about me. A few days of work will set me all right. Some 120 miles before us. Teams carry part of the rations. Of course you will not think strange if you don’t hear for some time. As far as we can learn the rebs are falling back and are demoralized. Ten came in this morning to take the oath, belong in Ark [Arkansas]. Sent them to Gen. Schofield. J.H. things are back and he may not be able to write immediately. Mention if you write to Orange. J.H. will mail this. Transcriber’s Note: The following note was written in the center of the back of Page 1: Mrs. Jerome Peirce Present. TRANSCRIBERS NOTES NOTE 1: Although no specific location from where Jerome wrote this letter is indicated, the letters he wrote immediately before and after this letter were written from Knoxville, Tenn., and Mossy Creek, East. Tenn., respectively. Therefore, the regiment must have been camped in eastern Tennessee, in the Knoxville area. See also Note 2. NOTE 2: Per the Unit History: December 20, 1863 – April 6, 1864. The regiment moved numerous times in eastern Tennessee, including in the Knoxville area, before being ordered to move by train, by way of Baltimore, to Annapolis, Maryland, where it arrived on April 6, 1864. NOTE 3: The “J.H.” or “Joe H.” Jerome referred to in this letter, as well as in other letters, was almost definitely 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 and was later exchanged. He was discharged on June 21, 1865. Joseph H. Peirce was a nephew of Jerome. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter / Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, February 28, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie In the field. [Likely in Knoxville, TN. area] 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 1864-02-28 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). 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 #198 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Knoxville, TN. Allie Jerome Peirce Knoxville TN. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8736b7cd0903d3b7facedf8cba78b3bd.jpg cc045a36eebc30685989ad70a94ca7bc https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/5dbd2a3179ae7c839c79e7b530a215af.jpg 3e0b8d4cff6e4a14f12684c22d951755 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3eb553e5f63852c43870e78022aedc08.jpg 260c1f5ab7925db9c22535382b4df81f https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/5c99f404aa26af04567760c4c371b22b.jpg 3343fcfa073adf399d502f8fe8d3293d https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/5b0a855a72e6096eff5e1cc31076c18c.jpg 123406c4d32d862bdf49b1028e4479bc 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 1864 Letter Collection 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 Camp near Knoxville Tenn 18 Feb 1864 A bitter cold snap for the last three days, with two changes of camp within the same time together with all the policing, smoke, cooking etc. etc. have nearly unfitted me from writing, but still I cannot allow the chance to pass of telling you gladly the back mail was again recd. [received]. But first of our movements. Monday it came on very rainy in the midst of which we moved camp to within a mile of Knoxville, opposite westerly Fort Sanders. Our Co. was to remain behind a few hours to guard the baggage and it was 8 o’clock, nearly eve, before we got to camp. But fortunately it did not rain and we came down on the R. Road track. Tues cold, bitter cold, wind severe and yesterday we moved to this place about a mile further north-west of K [Knoxville]. As usual, we came into a woods, mostly of pine brush, litter, etc. and it is nothing but dust, smoke and chopping. Quite peasant tho. I am sitting outdoor on my knapsack by the fire. A “Johnny Cake” on my little deep tin plate just baked and looks quite tempting and also a pot of desiccated vegetables cooking on the fire. It is more mild and but for a severe cold with swollen eyes, partly from the smoke, I should feel nicely. Should be all right soon. Today noon had a brigade inspection which was quickly disposed of merely taking a general survey the whole Regt. at rear open order. (Frank will explain.) Well, the letters of yours of Jan. 18, 25-26, Feb 5, with Frank’s enclosed in one and Mr. Clark’s “Invite” etc. and one from Will of Jan 25th which you may know was a perfect “benediction”. Isn’t it strange that none from Boston came. They certainly must have sent cards, etc.? But they’ll come up after awhile. I have just read yours over again. Ben E was very much pleased with yours to him and sent his regards as ever. He has a great many letter paper, etc. He seems glad that you think so much of Sarah Finney. He has read some of her letters or parts of them to me. Did I tell you what a fine poem he sent his father for his birthday? Very long, funny and tender, a beautiful thing which he read to me and I doubt not made, or will make, both the “laugh and tear” on March 1st. I forgot to mention that the package of stationery came up Tues. and I’m nicely supplied for the present, and stamps also for which all thanks, and may they hear back to you if not “exciting and interesting” letters, at least assurance of my love in all duty. I do not forget how you must sigh for home, as every true woman does, for it [Note: Insert “is”?] her sanctuary and none [Should be “no one”?] wants more gladly be restored to it than I, as I hope to in due time after contributing my poor ‘mile’ for the good old Flag. Let us cherish faith and hope with the heart’s best treasure, love, and then how sweet will be the meeting! I have mentioned how much I thought of the coming events, the weddings, and I can only repeat my best wishes for the happy pairs. Life has indeed begun for them! And we have reason to expect a full share of life’s blessings for them. Will promises me a letter all about it when he gets settled. But the old home will seem strange for awhile, but oh for the meetings it will bring by and by! Old Billerica is certainly doing her part nobly her quota full and three of her first ladies on so honorable a mission. How I would like to see them at their work among the “Contrabands” about that vast fortress. It is perfectly astonishing to see how fast the great revolution is working! The Black man being emancipated both in body and mind, Maryland ahead of Mass in anti-slavery sentiment! Arkansas and Missouri and soon E Tenn and Louisiana will follow. This is worth some trials and heartaches, is it not? You ask if there is a James Roberts in Co. I? Have just come from a short chat with him, next Co. to ours on the right. Mrs. Edmunds is an aunt and a Joe White I think he called him of B. is an uncle. I remember him ever since I’ve been out but never knew his name before for his ways are peculiar somewhat. He is in good health. Enlisted from Marlborough Mass. What a contrast the weather must be here and with you. Have cold but no snow and not cold long at a time. Much of the direfullest kind, just like putty only red when it rains, which it has not much of late. [On] the whole it has been beautiful weather. We are being fed much more plentifully of late and I, of course, feel better. Troops are coming in from other points and we expect now soon to be relieved and go North ere long. It is much milder here and so we go. It is well, for the cold would take hold severely now. It seems the four new Regts. (Eddie Brown is in one of them.) 56th etc. and are to join the 9 A.C. [Ninth Army Corps] I imagine we’re going eventually to N. Carolina a few days more and our term is half out! I have no sad presentments of the future and hope largely to see the end of the Rebellion by the close of our term and then! Hope you are fully restored from the jar of the late accident. ‘twas indeed a narrow escape! I told you of my presentment[???] in a previous letter. You have not told me much of Joe. Is he in Lowell at the roofing business? Will mentioned that he thought of attempting it. Shall be most happy to hear from Mr. Galloway. I think of him as the good pastor and my situation of late makes writing very hard and I should do more of it. Finney sent me a paper with the enclosed verses. I send them to you hoping they are not without language to us. They certainly do with me. What can I say to Lulu today? Am glad she loves her book but don’t care to have too much. I want her first good then healthy life. I shall find her quite a “lift” when I come home. If we go North hope for a chance to see home again but as I have been once expect[ing?] I shall have to stand back. You must have had a merry time with such a house-full. Mary must write me once in awhile before she is Mrs-ed! But I must close. J.H. have not seen for two days, some ways to Hd. Quarters and he has no horse now. Is well. Have quite a conclave of the Orange boys over the camp fire now. Love as ever to all. Tell mother I should like a piece of pie for supper tonight. As ever your loving husband Jerome Excuse this soiled sheet. Almost impossible to keep clean from one moment to another. No indication of my general status. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: Per the Unit History: December 20, 1863 – April 6, 1864. The regiment moved numerous times in eastern Tennessee, including in the Knoxville area, before being ordered to move by train, by way of Baltimore, to Annapolis, Maryland, where it arrived on April 6, 1864. During this time, the lack of adequate rations, clothing and equipment presented more challenges to the men than did the Confederates. NOTE 2: “Johnny cakes” came about in the South before the Civil War and became part of the soldiers’ meals during the War. The cakes were made from white cornmeal and had no eggs, sugar or syrup. They were fried on a hot, cast-iron pan, sometimes in bacon drippings. NOTE 3: Desiccated vegetables were vegetables that had been dried to preserve them. They were reconstituted with hot/boiling water. NOTE 4: “Contraband” was a term commonly used during the Civil War to describe a new status for certain escaped slaves or those who affiliated with 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. Thousands of men from these camps enlisted in the United States Colored Troops when recruitment started in 1863. At war's end, more than 100 contraband camps existed in the South. NOTE 5: In his letter dated March 5, 1864, he used a flyer advertising the roofing business that Joseph Jaquith was engaged in for one page of that letter he sent to Allie. As indicated in it, Jerome was short of stationery when he wrote it. Allie’s maiden name was Jaquith, and the Joseph Jaquith referred to in the flyer is almost certainly Allie’s brother Joseph who was born in 1842. The flyer advertises a patented elastic roofing material to fireproof and waterproof roofs as well as roofing cement for pointing chimneys, etc. by a company located on Warren St. in Lowell, Massachusetts. Joseph Jaquith is listed as the Agent, with Wm. G. Clark of 67 Haverhill St., Boston, Massachusetts, being the General Agent. NOTE 6: The “J.H.” Jerome referred to in this letter, and frequently in other letters, was almost certainly 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 and was later exchanged. He was discharged on June 21, 1865. Joseph H. Peirce was a nephew of Jerome. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter / Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, February 18, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Camp near Knoxville, 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 1864-02-18 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). 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 #197 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Knoxville, TN. Allie Jerome Peirce Knoxville TN. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8354f535e7ae33937b7ef5a5c1f47003.jpg 4bb4ead42ccbfdab62ebd9ccd254a4e2 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/ee0db7c3b7a84f18f7046f0ed21a1a63.jpg af19f4921923defa2bbba9094b335116 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 1864 Letter Collection Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Sunday Morn 14th Feb/64 A few words more, dear Allie and then this goes to mail. Capt. A will not leave before tomorrow night and I send this forward immediately as he could have to remail it and on the whole I thought best. No letters today and I am disappointed but I must still keep cool. Cloudy and some little rain this a.m. No service. After breakfast of desecated [desiccated (dried)] vegetables which J.H. gave me and which cooked up tip-top, had a good wash with cloth, nice soap etc., warm water, quite like home. Retired to my tent and read Army Rules and Regulations till dinner time which consisted of fresh beef stake [steak] with a little pork fat and soft bread, a piece of a loaf from K. [Knoxville]. So that today I have fared well indeed. Our rations are somewhat improved with a few pennies from our own funds. I thus give you these little items to show you how things move in camp and I feel a corresponding improvement in feelings, stronger and more like work. Took a stroll last eve with Ben to the 35th [Massachusetts Infantry Regiment] where a relative of Mr. Abram Cutter of C [Company C] is Q.M. [Quartermaster] Sergeant. Came back to B’s tent and by the light of a candle which he had, read a few pages from “Pencillings by the Way” by N.P. Willis which Mr. Cutter of the 35th loaned him. Got to bed after awhile and again I thought of home and recalled some snatches of hymns, etc. of church memory “God moves in a mysterious way” (Cowper), “While thee I seek, protecting Power” etc. So pass the moments, hours. Am so glad the time when the “camp and field” are exchanged for the endearments of home! How and where are you today? Is it mild or cold? And little Lulu. Abbie tells me she loves her little primer and you have mentioned and is learning little pieces. I wonder if there are any little birds that sing as pretty as they do here? I hear two different ones today, very sweet sounds some little like our robin tho I should think they must be smaller but it sounds so spring-like! Tell Lulu I saw, as we went to town the other day, a poor little bird, looked like a robin, dead beside the road and I wondered how it happened. We have had some frosty nights and possibly it perished from cold. There are many roosters at the farm houses near by which start us early and one of the fellows is “holding forth” now. But my neck aches, but not broke yet and I am at the end of my paper. So accept again love and a kiss from your husband Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: This letter does not indicate Jerome’s location when he wrote it. However, the envelope is postmarked Knoxville, Tennessee. His previous letter, written on February 13, 1864, the day before this letter, was written at Erins Station, Tennessee, near Knoxville. NOTE 2: “Capt. A” was T. Edward Ames, from Charlestown, Massachusetts, who enlisted at age 24 as a First Lieutenant in the 34th Massachusetts Volunteers. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on August 12, 1862. He was then transferred to Company B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment on August 22, 1862. Ames was promoted to Captain on August 2, 1863, and commanded Co. F of the 36th Massachusetts before serving in a number of staff positions for the balance of the War. He was mustered out with the regiment on June 8, 1865, and he was promoted to the rank of Brevet Major for “gallant and meritorious conduct before Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, 1865.” NOTE 3: His “No service.” undoubtedly refers to the fact that there was no religious service held that day, even though it was a Sunday. NOTE 4: “Pencillings by the Way” was written by Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806 – 1867), an American author, poet and editor. NOTE 5: “God Moves in a Mysterious Way” is a hymn, written in 1773. The words were composed by Englishman William Cowper (1731–1800). Comprising six verses, the hymn was first published by Cowper's friend, John Henry Newton, in his “Twenty-six Letters on Religious Subjects; to which are added Hymns in 1774”. It was later published in “Olney Hymns” which Cowper co-wrote with Newton. NOTE 6: The 35th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment was organized at Boston and Chelsea, Massachusetts, and was mustered in for three-year service on August 28, 1862, under the command of Colonel Edward A. Wild. The regiment was attached to the, IX Corps, the Army of the Potomac, the Department of the Ohio and the Army of the Tennessee at various times. The 35th Massachusetts mustered out of service on June 9, 1865, and it was discharged on June 27, 1865. The regiment lost a total of 249 men during its service. Ten officers and 138 enlisted men were killed or mortally wounded, and one officer and 100 enlisted men died of disease. NOTE 7: “While Thee I Seek, Protecting Power” was written in 1789 by Helen Maria Williams (1759 – 1827) in her work titled “Poems” in which it was titled “Hymn.” Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter / Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, February 14, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie [Location not indicated. The envelope is postmarked Knoxville, Tenn. The previous letter was written at Erin's Station, E. Tenn. near Knoxville, Tenn.] 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 1864-02-14 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). Relation A related resource 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 #196 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant [Location not indicated. The envelope is postmarked Knoxville, Tenn. The previous letter was written at Erin's Station, E. Tenn. near Knoxville, Tenn.] Allie E. Tenn. Erin's Station Jerome Peirce Knoxville TN. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/9d095def559c2189709e63ce8bd9ad7b.jpg 716de72607eccbd0d1bda88ce9459923 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/9c8bcfcdcca0dc9c2595e5bc3b84a461.jpg 42f54be200bfc8e675a352dae248ae8c 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 1864 Letter Collection 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 Erin’s Station E. Tenn 13 Feb 1864 My dearest Wife, Have just been into Co B street and Ben says, “Capt. Ames is going home. Don’t you want to send your wife some pattern of a new dress you have had lately?” And I thought I would at least write something in hopes that it might get mailed quicker and reach home earlier perhaps. Capt. A is quite unwell and needs a furlough and I hope he may find better health by his trip. Expects to leave tomorrow. First let me tell you how glad it seemed to receive yours [your letter] of 31st Jan with Abbie’s etc. but there are letters now behind, the one of the Sunday before. Have been waiting impatiently. Possibly a mail may come today but a poor prospect now. It must be other letters are due. I have not yet received anything from Alonzo and Ellen while the officers of the Regt. have their cards. The principle [principal] events of the past week are a turn at picket duty (Monday and Tues.) and a visit to Knoxville on a ‘Pass’ with Ben who pointed out the scene of the late conflict taking a careful look at the ground particularly where our Regt. was stationed. The location of K [Knoxville] is very picturesque and some of the views about are most beautiful but everything is torn and defaced by the effects of the siege and presence of the army. Streets dirty and repulsive, food scarce, everything enormously high. Hospitals, sick and wounded on every hand. Went into the Christian Mission where papers and tracts are free, also writing materials etc. but gov. [government] furnish but little transportation, and so it is imperfect at present. Have had a quiet time in camp and do little but think of you at home. Go through the regular drills. Call on and chat with Ben and then to sleep, etc. I am quite wakeful nights and then my thoughts wander away. The weather of late has been cold and so we keep up good camp fires until the woods are quite thinned out, giving the chilly mountain airs free scope. But of home. Suppose Hattie is gone. I have indeed thought much of them! And how each one will be missed as the[y] go forth with the chosen one, but now you will look for another mission as from time to time you hear from them. And I trust all may be well, health, happiness, pure etc. and sweet. I would I could have been there on both occasions. Saw the marriage of A [Alonzo] and Ellen in a paper at Knoxville. A pleasant occasion with both Drs. E and Hale. Suppose I shall hear all about it soon. Have had letters from Mr. Murray and sister Heald. Will send you the letter with Mr Edmund’s address. Ben says he wishes you might get up a correspondence. Mrs E is very busy with teaching and wishes on that account you would begin. No doubt you too. Could claim as much, but I wish you would write. We didn’t seem to get started yet for the North but expect to soon. I see Burnside has been in and about Boston. I hope everybody had a chance to see him. He takes four of the new Regts in his expedition, the one Ed Brown is in among them I believe. I am afflicted just now with a boil on the back of my neck which tires me to write very much. I want to send a line to the Boston friends so you must pardon this hasty affair and let Sarah’s letter help out. I will write Mr. Sulloway soon. Thank you for the little extracts you sent and will treasure them. Also Abbie for her letter and Wordsworthesins. Surprised that Dr. H is at C. [Charlestown?] What a depot for a Dr.! No doubt his place will be well filled. Should Capt. A be detained will add more tomorrow. Have to prepare for dress parade etc. Hope to be more interesting some future time. Hope also to hear from Will and Hattie soon but the mails are working irregular. Have to be patient. I keep forgetting if I number letters and gave it up. I write once a week either Sat or Sund invariably. Capt. S’s somewhere on his way to the Regt. Wrote to Carry the other day in Parson Brownlories [???] wagon. Love to all. Ever your own, Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE Capt. T. Edward Ames, from Charlestown, Massachusetts, enlisted at age 24 as a First Lieutenant in the 34th Massachusetts Volunteers. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on August 12, 1862. He was then transferred to Company B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment on August 22, 1862. Ames was promoted to Captain on August 2, 1863, and commanded Co. F of the 36th Massachusetts before serving in a number of staff positions for the balance of the War. He was mustered out with the regiment on June 8, 1865, and he was promoted to the rank of Brevet Major for “gallant and meritorious conduct before Petersburg, Virginia, April 2, 1865.” Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter / Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, February 13, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Erin's Station, E. Tenn 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 1864-02-13 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). 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 #195 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Erin's Station, E. Tenn Allie E. Tenn. Erin's Station Jerome Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/734a56a547aef61c2a09619dd7298f01.jpg c992081f9a01f9e0e562c5651f0d7ab4 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 1864 Letter Collection 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 Head Q’rs Co. H 36th Mass. Vols. February 10, 1864 Guards & patrols will pass Srgt. Peirce to Knoxville and return at 4 o’clock this P.M. Henry W. Daniels Lieut. Comdg. Co. H 36 Regt. Approved Wm. F. Draper Major Comdg. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE This is a one-day pass Jerome obtained to go to Knoxville, Tenn., which he sent to Allie. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter / Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, February 10, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie [Unkown - 36th Mass. Regt. Headquarters] [One day Pass] 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 1864-02-10 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 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 #194 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant [Unkown - 36th Mass. Regt. Headquarters] [One day Pass] [Unknown - 36th Mass. Regt. Headquarters] [One day Pass] Allie Jerome Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e8952511f23179c61d4ed869c6653df7.jpg a445f36af4745eb1bdfa81b35516fdce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0cbfaa5391409e035fd7b24df7ce1f8d.jpg be3d2e47be12f2853b2e15ad96f82634 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/62a47260c01eb2a7d35255312f856dd5.jpg 252be9553faa0577ca621e5ae38e3126 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/fc202a68c91be492edad826fa8e6ec73.jpg e8225ba590887703b9310b159c403237 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 1864 Letter Collection 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 Boston Oct 12th/64 Br. Joseph, I recd your letter on Monday informing me in regard to what you had heard in respect to Joseph Jr. I have delayed writing as I knew not what to write. From what I can learn from the papers I feel that we have great reason to hope that he is taken prisoner. I say hope because I believe if he is a prisoner, his life may yet be spared and that he may yet return to you. In these times we live mostly on hope and I think it is not well to give up that so long as we have anything to cling to. I feel that it is useless for me to attempt to say anything to console you. Each heart has its own bitterness and a stranger cannot intermeddle therewith. I know it would be easy for me to say to you that your case is like a thousand others and you must bear it with patience. I can say no such thing. I know not how you can compare with others. All men differ and in no one thing more than in feeling. All I can say is that you have my deepest sympathy. Try and view it aright and may God give you strength to bear all that awaits you. If you learn anything further please let me know. I will say to you that I had intended to visit you ere [before] this but I have not been well and could not leave home. I can hardly tell when I can come but I hope before long. You will give my kindest regards to all your family and I remain ever yours, F. Peirce My family are all well. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Tom Neubig and Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Jerome refers to Joseph Peirce, Jr., in many of his letters but usually as “J.H.” or “Jos. H.” and at least once as “Joe.” The “H” stands for “Henry.” He enlisted as a private in Orange, Massachusetts, on August 4, 1862, at age 18. Jerome also enlisted in Orange on the same date. According to the Unit History, Joseph H. Peirce was taken Prisoner of War at Pegram Farm, Virginia, on September 30, 1864, and he was later exchanged. He survived the war and was discharged on June 21, 1865. Based on the fact that Jerome, Joseph and Foster Peirce were all brothers, J.H. (or Joseph, Jr.) was Jerome’s nephew. The date of this letters is consistent with the date that Joseph H. was taken prisoner, being about two weeks later. NOTE 2: The 1865 Massachusetts State Census, taken within a few months of this letter, shows that Foster Peirce as born in 1812, that he and his wife had the following four children living with them at the time: Edward S., Henry S., George W., and Alice F., aged 20 to 6, and that the family lived in Boston. (An earlier census shows that the Peirces had additional children who would have undoubtedly moved away from home by 1865.) Very consistent with the return address on the envelope for this letter, this census lists Foster’s occupation as “Chair dealer.” It is interesting to note that the 1850 U.S. Census shows that Jerome Peirce was living in the Foster Peirce household then. Jerome’s age was listed as 19 in that census, and his occupation is given as “Gilder.” His age is totally consistent with his age when he enlisted in 1862. The term “gilder” usually refers to someone who “covers something with a thin layer of gold.” However, a broader definition is “someone who adorns something that is already beautiful.” Therefore, his occupation could be interpreted as someone who decorates furniture. Foster’s occupation was given simply as “Furniture.” NOTE 3: In a document found on-line titled Peirce Genealogy, Foster Peirce is described as follows: “Foster Peirce was born on July 29, 1812, and he married Catherine A. Beaman on April 27, 1837. She was born on October 22, 1816. They had seven children, born between 1839 and 1858. At an early age, he engaged in the chair manufacturing business in Orange, Massachusetts. Here he remained but a short time and moved to Boston/Charlestown in 1838, and he continued in active business until 1878, when he retired.” The Peirce Genealogy is a detailed, well documented 283-page history of the family written and published in Worcester, Massachusetts, in 1880 by Frederick Clifton Peirce. Its full title is Peirce Genealogy, Being the Record of the Posterity of John Pers, an Early Inhabitant of Watertown, in New England, and it 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. 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 Foster Peirce to Joseph Peirce, October 12, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Foster Peirce, Jospeh Boston, MA. Description An account of the resource From Foster Peirce to Joseph Peirce Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Foster 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 1864-10-12 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). 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 #227 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Boston, MA. Boston MA. Brother Foster Peirce Joseph Peirce