1 10 38 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/476fb71720a55145d9a8e62a363bb3c4.jpg 6d8398eba02878868ee25339cfb1fb44 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/4a125b6c05cb45ac6463b66776ffde4d.jpg 05654a0b8d1dfb2fcce5344c30dee7ad https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/9c8f5a0622531578fb9a1e045c7bf57b.jpg 73acb72fbb95ba68ac566150583588e6 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 Billerica, May 22nd, 1864 Dear Mrs. Peirce, Your very painful but kind letter was received yesterday and Allie desires me to reply in her stead. We had heard nothing of the sad intelligence of which you wrote. The papers have been most carefully searched, the names of wounded and killed particularly read. We saw among them James Peirce of Co. H 36th Regt. killed, and I believe about the date we should affix to dear Jerome if the report be true. It startled us some at the time but circumstances overcame the feeling, it would have to arose from mistake in the name, was without his Seargt’s title prefixed to it and Allie believed there were others by the name of Peirce in that company. Do you know if it was so? You were very kind to send to Allie as you did – indeed you have ever been and your frequent communications of late have given her so much gratitude as her mind has been so distracted by the anxiety of this fearful time. She is sadly, sadly grieved and we hardly know what words of comfort to offer. We can only wait, leaning on that Omnipotent from above able to bear up the broken hearted. We do still cling to shadow of hope that rumor may have deceived us and that ere long more cheering tidings will come to us. How can we best ascertain facts? What does Mr. Peirce think as best course to pursue? We sent a letter at once to Boston hoping some effectual step for action might arise in the mind of your brother there or that Alonzo R. could suggest some known means for communications. Hope we shall hear soon. Allie received a letter from Mrs. Richardson of Stoneham a few days since expressive of much concern for the dear ones exposed to the sad ordeal of battle. Dear Mrs. Peirce, we most truly feel with you for the suffering and cruel return to danger of Jos. [Joseph] H. [Peirce]. How hard for him thus to be sent forth in all his weakness. We have felt much anxiety for him since we saw the account of his illness in the paper. Allie wrote to him as soon as she got your letter telling of his location in the Hospital, thinking it might seem good in his loneliness to hear from friends. Perhaps the letter never reached him if he was so soon sent forth. Let us know of him when you hear. Are not hearts drawn very closely by sympathy at this time? Surely a wail of sorrow must arise from your town. How has Orange suffered in this cause. It seems as though it must be almost draped with mourning but let us “be still and know the Lord reigns.” With many regards. I remain your friend Abbie Jaquith Afternoon. Mrs. Stebbins and Mrs. Richardson, Jerome’s sisters, have just left here. They had heard nothing of what you wrote but wished to know what was true in regard to tidings. Our whole town is under much excitement here today. A lady of much refinement and greatly beloved who has recently been suffering from mental depression since the death of her husband by consumption was this morning found missing from her home. She put her three children to bed last night and this morning they saw a light still burning but no trace of her in the house. A hoopskirt was found on the banks of the river and fears are entertained that she is drowned. They are dragging the river and search is being made in every direction. She has lived for a few years past in Springfield but returned to town as her father lived here. It is a singular coincidence that she was living in the same house in which her parents lived when she was young and from which her mother wandered away and made an attempt to drown herself but courage failed. There is a general gloom over the whole place. We dread the discovery. How many ways for sorrow? Abbie Monday morn. The body of that lady was recovered from the river last night drowned. Allie’s and our remembrance to Mr. Mayo’s family. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: Abbie Jaquith was Allie’s sister. NOTE 2: According to the roster of men in Co. H of the 36th Massachusetts Volunteers Regiment contained in the Unit History, there was no James Peirce in that company, but Jerome Peirce is, of course, listed in the roster. The comments after his name read as follows: “Enlisted at age 31, from Orange, Mass. Mustered into service Aug. 4, 1862, Promoted Sergt. Killed in action at Spotsylvania, Va., May 12, ’64.” Therefore, the newspaper account referenced in the letter mistakenly identified Jerome as James. It is interesting to note that in the roster in the Unit History Jerome’s last name is spelled “Pierce” instead of the correct “Peirce.” NOTE 3: How and when Abbie first learned that Jerome had been killed has been an unanswered question. Based on this letter she was, very sadly, informed indirectly on or about May 21, 1864, from an article in a local newspaper that listed the names of men who had been killed or wounded in recent battles. Even then, she could not be absolutely certain that she would never see Jerome again because of the incorrect reporting of the first name. The fact that she received no more letters from Jerome after the one he wrote to her on May 1, 1864, must have been the deciding factor to convince her that the worst had happened. Quite often, official notifications of the next of kin did not take place for some time after the battle because the commanding officers were severely pressed for time as the regiments were compelled to move to the next battlefield. That was definitely the case for the Union army in May of 1864. Per Jerome’s Pension File, it was not until sometime in June 1864 that Abbie received an official notification that Jerome had fallen at Spotsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864. She used that document as part of her application for a widow’s pension. 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 Abbie to Mrs. Joseph Peirce, May 22, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Abbie Mrs. Joseph Peirce Billerica, MA. Description An account of the resource From Abbie to Mrs. Joseph Peirce Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Abbie Jaquith 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 1864-05-22 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). 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 #218 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Billerica, MA. Abbie Billerica MA. Mrs. Joseph Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/5f89aea2e60272e14268c3566fbe5390.jpg 12d43f8a65fb26c0780b18e6951c0ab9 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/c0de239a5d3916a2075c741896c7cf0f.jpg c483d78a5939cb493610ee62a04363c0 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 Billerica May 8th 1864 My own dear husband, It is Sunday eve. We have just got through tea and here I am in the summer sitting room. I cannot write as I would like, my anxiety is so great. I saw by last night’s papers that Burnside’s Corps were ordered up. I can hardly contain myself today. I went to church this afternoon but did not find much comfort. I rather be alone when I feel as I now do. All I can do for you is to commit you to our Heavenly Father for protection, and I know He will care for and watch over you. To be here at home and not know what befallen you is hard to bear. The suspense is dreadful. I do hope before many days to hear directly from you. Yesterday your letter written a week ago today came. I was so glad to get it, but it seems as though your anticipated chat we were to have together when the mail runs every day. Disappointments are the lot of man. I wrote you last Sunday. Monday noon Hattie came. Will went to Lowell with Jos. We did not wash as they were coming and I was not well. Mary commenced her school and came home at night to see Hattie and Will. Tuesday it rained very fast so the folks did not go home, staid here. I put a [???] in Jos. shirt. Wednesday we washed. Thursday we ironed. Friday and Sat. cleaned house. Abby Faulkner and one of her aunts called Thursday, very pleasant call. Saturday Dr. Bundy and his wife called. The Dr. looked at your picture and he says he has seen you somewhere. Wants me to ask you if he has not. He has always lived in Boston. His name is Frank Bundy, M.D. The little flowers you sent are beautiful and I send you a few in return. Freddy gathered them near Suckers Brook, and I have tied them together for you. It seems quite pleasant to get into this room again and the next time we move into it I shall be thinking only a few months and you will come home. O, will you be spared to return to me. I can not think any other way and how earnestly are my petitions sent upward and I know if it is right, they will be answered. Mrs. Dr Barns spoke to me, inquired after you. She sends you a New York Tribune when I can get it. She is very kind. Mr. Stone preached for us today. I do not like him very much. Frank was quite pleased with his letter from you and I believe he is writing to you. I cannot write a long letter tonight. I am too much excited but will write again soon. Lulu is upstairs with Abby. Good night dearest. From your own Allie Transcriber’s Note: A note, written sideways on the bottom of page 4, reads Got this coming from church. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: This letter was written on Sunday evening, May 8, 1864, and was likely mailed on May 9. In view of the time it would have taken Allie’s letters to reach Jerome based on the transit time of other letters and considering the conditions on the battlefield at Spotsylvania Court House at the time, this letter would not have reached Jerome before he was killed early in the morning of May 12, 1864. It is very likely that it was returned to Allie with Jerome’s personal effects that were sent to her sometime after Jerome was killed. NOTE 2: This is the last letter from Allie in the collection addressed to Jerome before he was killed on May 12, 1864, and might be the last one she wrote to him. Based on other letters, the family learned of Jerome’s death sometime around May 20. How they found out could not be determined. It is likely that someone from his regiment sent Allie a letter at the first opportunity after the fighting at Spotsylvania had died down, and if so, it might have been Joseph H. Peirce, Jerome’s nephew. It is also likely that they saw it in one of the local newspapers. Those papers, such as the Boston Globe, invariably had reporters close to the fighting, and they reported the results of the battles, including a list of casualties of men from their area, very promptly, primarily because they were allowed to file their reports using the Union army’s telegraph system. NOTE 3: The “letter written a week ago” refers to the letter Jerome wrote on May 1, 1864, from Cattlets Station. Virginia. It is Letter No. 215 in this collection. NOTE 4: Hattie was Allie’s youngest sister Harriet (1845 – 1930?). NOTE 5: The pages of letter have brown stains on them which are the outline of the flowers she included, per her letter. Similar brown stains are found on one other letter, this one written by Jerome, which included flowers he sent to Lulu. That letter is Letter No. 191 in this collection. NOTE 6: “Suckers Brook” is also mentioned in the letter written by Jerome on April 20, 1864, from Annapolis, Maryland. He wrote, “We have some sweet singing birds here and as soon as the flowers spring, I will send her (Lulu) some. She must send me some of the first violets that grow by Suckers Brook.” That letter is Letter No. 210 in the collection. 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 Allie to Jerome, May 8, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Allie Peirce, Jerome Billerica, MA. Description An account of the resource From Allie to Jerome Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Allie 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 1864-05-08 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 #216 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Billerica, MA. Allie Billerica MA. Jerome Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/ebeefff3377b22face81568af83f9e21.jpg 023e1ed0479c19e199f1e6d260fb3a24 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b95759713af33016ff7eaca905c34e78.jpg 8ada9411fbb8e6ceffa80fb45bb5b2bf 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 Billerica Sunday May 15th, 1864 My ever dear husband, I have written you every Sunday but I suppose you have not received many letters of late, I am very very anxious to hear from you. The time seems very long since I have heard from you and it seems doubly long my anxiety has been so great. O my dear husband how much the pour [sic] [poor] tired suffering soldiers have my sympathy and gladly would I flee to their assistance if I could or would bear their suffering for them. I have watch the papers very closely and find we are pushing hard upon Lee. I am very much cheered by the good news as are all the people if [sic] such victories without so many made to suffer, but they have the satisfaction to feel that they are suffering in a grand cause. I see by the papers that JH was sunstruck. I am anxious to hear how he is. I did want very much to go and take care of him and Nelson Smith – wounded in the side. I hope not bad. I have prayed so earnestly for your and others safety. The question cimes [sic] [seems] will my prayers be answered. Mr. Judkins sends me his paper every morning, the Post, and Mrs. Dr. Bowers sends me the Journal so I get the news. I hope you will be permitted to send a letter to me soon. It is Sunday afternoon. The folks have just got home from church. It is a very unpleasant day. Only the boys and Brother have been in church. Mr. Galloway preached. He sent word he shall be down this very same day this week. Jos said their [sic] [there] was great inquiry after you if we had heard from you. They saw J.H. news [???] and thought it was you. Lulu is quite busy with Abbie today and tod[d]les very fast. She woke up the other night and asked me where I thought Papie was. I thought she must have been dreaming about. Mr. Clark from Chelsea with his two youngest sons were here last night. They are going to remain for this week to work upon their farm. Frank and Jos has been in Boston this week to work for Mr. Clarke. They cannot earn as much you could in Boston painting. Marie Elizie was here last night and Mr. Gould. He has a brother in these battles. Freddie gathered these flowers for you. I have much sympathy for him, he has had much pain taken with him at home. I cannot write any long letters until I hear from you. I shall go to Orange as soon as I hear good news from you. All send love. Your ever loving wife, Allie TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: Per the Unit History: May 13 – May 21, 1864, at the Battle of Spotsylvania Court House: Following days of virtually continuous rain and a final unsuccessful attack by Gen. Grant on the Confederate lines on May 18, Grant decided to shift his forces and move south again toward Richmond. The 36th Regiment left the Spotsylvania Court House Battlefield on May 21, 1864. NOTE 2: This letter was written by Allie three days after Jerome was killed on May 12, 1864, a fact she obviously did not know when she wrote this letter. He was buried on the battlefield soon after he fell. His remains were re-interred in the Fredericksburg National Cemetery when it was established. The letter was apparently returned to Allie with Jerome’s personal effects which would have been sent to her by his commanding officer at a later time. 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 Allie to Jerome, May 15, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Allie Peirce, Jerome Billerica, MA. Description An account of the resource From Allie to Jerome Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Allie 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 1864-05-15 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus, Luisa Dispenzirie and Donald Pfanz (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). 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 #217 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Billerica, MA. Allie Billerica MA. Jerome Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/05b87a8707a2f8a3453f912edd68af59.jpg 013febd0297d2f6b43bcb6e3f1e941e4 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/4be4a159098da16e24ef95ed44d5fcab.jpg b6a8b35b8434633c9195d8d8fb608013 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 Billerica June 9th 1864 Sister Mary, Your letter came last Tuesday. [June 7, 1864] I have been very unwell, or I should have written before. I have not heard from Boston people since Jos. was down. I heard he was in B. [Probably “Boston”] and expected him up here, but it seems he did not stay only one night. I will send you Jerome’s last letter to me and the one he wrote my sister Hattie and her husband. Mr. Ballou will know what to say. He has had letters from him. You may let him have the letters I send in this. In a letter written before this, he says in writing of the coming campaign “but you will think of the future now as we move towards the enemy. It is natural but we can only rely on the same good Power who has thus far led me on. I feel no sad presentments but on the contrary, hopeful, so thankful my health is so much better.” It was eight years last Sunday since he united with Dr. Ellis’s church in Charlestown. Jerome was 33 years the 11th day of last Nov. If it is pleasant I shall come to Orange next week Thursday [June 16, 1864] be at Athol [Massachusetts] at 11 o’clock. My brother Frank [Franklin] will come with me as I am not able to come alone with Lulu. He will stay until Monday [June 20, 1864]. I shall remain for a time. The rest of the family will not be able to come to leave home as long as they would have to. I am not well so cannot write more now. If you must know anything more, you must write. The family all send love. Yours with love, Allie Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: When she wrote this letter, Allie had obviously recently learned about Jerome’s death on the battlefield at Spotsylvania Court House on May 12, 1864, almost four weeks earlier. Exactly how and when she received this tragic news has not been determined yet. According to the records in her Pension File at the National Archives, she did not receive official notification from the commanding officer of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment of Jerome’s death until she received a document dated July 3, 1864. Also, in a letter addressed to Allie written by 1st Lt. Philip G. Woodward, commanding officer of Company H, 36th Massachusetts Infantry, on July 4, 1864, Lt. Woodward stated “I did not see him fall as we were falling back under a cover of a fence, the enemy coming down on us and occupying the ground on which he fell… Consequently, his body was in the enemy’s hands for about 15 minutes. When we charged forward and not only took the ground we lost but a great deal more. Jerome’s body lay in a very exposed position [and] it was impossible to move it. But I went to him and took his Memorandum Book for I felt as though I ought to make an effort to secure some memento. The Book I gave to J.H. His body had to remain until after dark when we buried it the best that circumstances would permit. He was killed at about 7 o.c. [o’clock] AM… I also found the bullet that killed him. I took it from his left breast… He must have died instantly. His grave is in a Pine Grove - well marked.” This letter is among the Jerome Peirce Letters in this collection (No. 226). (The “J.H.” who received Jerome’s Memorandum Book was Joseph H. Peirce, who was Jerome’s nephew. He and Jerome enlisted on the same date, August 4, 1862, in Orange, Massachusetts. J.H. was 18 years old at the time, while Jerome was 31.) Based on what she wrote in this letter, Allie very likely attended the funeral service held June 19, 1864, in Orange since she was planning to go there from Billerica a few days prior to that date. NOTE 2: A Jaquith family tree found on ancestry.com shows that Allies’s parents, Franklin and Lucy Walker Jaquith, had eight children as follows. (The years of death for several children are missing in this family tree.) Ellen (1832 – ) [Ellen is mentioned in several letters.] Albinia (Allie) (1834 – 1920) Abigail (Abbie) (1836 – 1915) [Abbie is mentioned in many letters.] Lucy (1838 – 1841?) Franklin (Frank) (1839 – 1922) [Franklin (Frank) is mentioned in this and in several other letters. Abbie lived with her parents and later with Franklin’s family after Jerome’s death.] Mary (1841 – ) [Mary is the recipient of this letter.] Joseph (1842 – ) [Joseph (Jos.) is mentioned in this and in several other letters.] Harriet (Hattie) (1845 – ) [Hattie is mentioned in this and in a few other letters.] NOTE 3: The quotation that Allie cites in this letter was written by Jerome in a letter dated April 27, 1864, while he was stationed at Bristoe Station, Virginia. It is Letter No. 214 and was likely the second to last letter he wrote, which Allie also alludes to. The following is the transcription of a section of that letter, which matches word-for-word the quotation in this letter. “But you will think of the future now as we move towards the enemy. It is natural, but we can only rely on the same good Power who has thus far led me on. I feel no sad resentments but on the contrary hopeful, so thankful that my health is so much better.” NOTE 4: Rev. Levi Ballou gave the sermon at the funeral service sermon held for Jerome, ten days after this letter was written, on Sunday, June 19, 1864, in the church in Orange, Massachusetts, where Jerome had been the “Sabbath School Superintendent.” Rev. Ballou made reference to several letters that Abbie had shared with him. The following is an excerpt from that sermon. “Again, he writes his companion [his wife, Albinia or Allie], only 12 days before he fell, and after describing the place where he then was, as reminding him much of certain localities where they had in former days conversed and strolled together. He adds that by the movements of the army, “It looks like a fearful future for some.” He asks, “Shall we be spared the last fearful conflict?” “We hope all will be for the best.” He then speaks of his darling child to whom he sends some flowers which he had culled for her to keep to remember Papa and in closing says, ‘I hope to see you again soon.’” This collection of letters also includes two letters sent by friends of Jerome and Allie to Rev. Ballou in early June of 1864 that were read at the funeral service. Rev. Ballou’s sermon was obtained with the help of the current minister at the First Congregational Parish Church in Orange from the Rare Books Department of the Hesburgh Library of the University of Notre Dane, Notre Dame, Indiana, which has all of Rev. Ballou’s papers. NOTE 5: By the time Allie wrote this letter on June 9, 1864, the 36th Massachusetts Regiment had moved south from the bloody battlefield at Spotsylvania Court House on May 21, 1864, as part of Gen. Grant’s Overland Campaign strategy to capture Richmond. From May 31, 1864, until June 12, 1864, Union and Confederate troops faced each other at Cold Harbor, Virginia. The regiment was heavily involved in that battle, generally considered to have resulted in a Confederate victory. According to the Unit History, the Battle of Cold Harbor “was the most destructive battle in which the regiment ever engaged.” It lost 8 men killed and 49 wounded at Cold Harbor, including 10 who were mortally wounded. 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 Allie to Sister Mary, June 9, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Allie Billerica, MA. Jaquith, Mary Frances Description An account of the resource From Allie to Sister Mary Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Allie 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 1864-06-09 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 #222 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Billerica, MA. Allie Billerica MA. Mary Frances Jaquith https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3b8222b1701f328bb13144717ad53bd1.jpg 40228ba795877416306d41779a91c3b3 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/d76dbdc4051e679670d18fd6f3fca05e.jpg eb5f1a48934cfca924cc57b836720a8e https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/87193fdec0ff283fc99dcfbb850b7bde.jpg 9207a6fcc86145b52715e3137eb9d065 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/2a286c1b3d406023b985e731945e83f1.jpg cc313b7135c6529e84738054c233965a https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/fcb6b54efff79d45454795883b505726.jpg 6454cae0e26fb3f4a1de3181f75a7d88 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 The tidings that Jerome had fallen on the battle field have cast a deep gloom over his numerous friends in this city. Associated with him from childhood, I feel it a privilege to bear testimony to his worth and to the esteem in which he was held by his comrades. As a boy he was noted for his studious habits and eagerness for knowledge. As he grew to manhood his frank and generous nature, his conscious regard for the right and his genial disposition made him a great favorite with his companions. In 1851 ten young men who had been schoolmates and intimate friends matured a plan for forming a society for mutual mental improvement. Into this scheme Jerome entered with all the zeal and earnestness so characteristic of him and we soon found our society increasing in numbers, in interest and usefulness. Through the liberality of citizens pleased with the stand we had taken, a fund was raised for the purpose of providing us with a Library. We knew Jerome to be a great student with a thorough knowledge of books and authors and to him mainly was entrusted the duty of selecting our Library and to it, with characteristic liberality, he made many additions of choice volumes from his own shelves. That Library composed as it is mainly of the more solid works of English literature, has always been a source of just pride to us and an enduring monument to Jerome’s energy and literary taste. In a society of young men of various temperaments and representing every shade of opinion and feeling, it could not be otherwise than that we should have warm and earnest debates upon the various topics which came before us. Jerome, with a mind well stored by his extensive reading, took an active part in our debates. Always calm yet decided, always sincere, always earnest, always charitable to the faults and failings of others and ready to put the best possible construction upon their motives and actions, he exercised an influence over his associates which will not soon be forgotten. That a man of his refined taste and quiet habits, appreciating so keenly the joys of home, so devoted to his wife and child, should have volunteered for the military service can be accounted for only on the ground that he had come to believe it to be his duty. He never jumped at conclusions. The conviction upon which he acted was reached by the slow process of thought and inquiry. Once convince [???] him that duty pointed him in a certain direction and no ordinary influence could cause him to swerve from that path. His sole aim in entering the army was to render to his country that service which he felt was due from him in this her hour of trial, and although well qualified to command, he had no aspirations to rise from his humble position in the ranks, contented to render any service that might assist in vindicating his country’s honor. That he would be spared to return to his family and to that quiet life which he enjoyed so much has been not only the sincere prayer but the assured belief of his numerous friends. But it has been ordered otherwise and we must submit. He now fills a hero’s grave. No praise which we can bestow can reach him. But the influence of his well spent life, his incorruptible integrity and noble sacrifice to the call of duty will long be felt by those who were so fortunate as to enjoy his companionship. I cannot better close this brief and altogether unsatisfactory tribute to his memory than by adding the lines which he was want to quote. “How sleep the brave, who sink to rest By all their country’s wishes blest! When Spring, with dewy fingers cold, Returns to deck their hallowed mould, She there shall dress a sweeter sod Than Fancy’s feet have ever trod. By fairy hands their knell is rung; By forms unseen their dirge is sung; There Honor comes, a pilgrim gray, To bless the turf that wraps their clay; And freedom shall awhile repair To dwell, a weeping hermit, there.” C.F.S. Charlestown June 1864 TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: Foster Peirce was Jerome older brother. NOTE 2: C.F.S. was Charles F. Smith, a long-time family friend. He kept in contact with Albinia Peirce for many years as evidenced by letters from him to Albinia in the early 1900s. On the letterhead of a letter from him dated May 25, 1905, which was written on stationery of the Commonwealth Trust Company in Boston, Massachusetts, he is listed as the treasurer of that company. NOTE 3: The funeral at which this letter was read, per the notation on the envelope, was conducted by Rev. Levi Ballou on June 19, 1864, in the church in Orange, Massachusetts, where Jerome Peirce had been the “Sabbath School Superintendent.” NOTE 4: The poem in the letter is a verbatim quote of the poem titled “How Sleep the Brave,” written by William Collins (1721-1759). 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 Charles F. Smith to Foster Peirce, June 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Smith, Charles F. Peirce, Foster Charlestown, MA. Description An account of the resource From Charles F. Smith to Foster Peirce Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Charles F. Smith 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 1864-06 (day unidentified) 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 #220 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Charlestown, MA. C.F.S. Charles F. Smith Charlestown MA. Foster Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/7007e8e7a75ab21fa1e4a0eb7b6fb83a.jpg a1112c5d4454464169bc95e69e9604a1 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8918dd4ff91b3b4b1470a8f95b350e82.jpg 8859465a94446252b14c7aa20442dba0 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/095b5032788516eaa3f285dd4c1ff20e.jpg a193819237143fe4c6177e3fcc77aa30 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/debd7e8281ee1986cbae65c16370417b.jpg 7d4b9ec8892682925416b4b6e5319121 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/2c5cf27a169e25043061583f528ace75.jpg 5b75cd23394453489412798affb50979 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 May 22nd 1864 Br. [Brother] Joseph I recd [received] last evening a letter from Abbie Jaquith (Allie’s sister) informing me of the acct [account] of Mary’s first letter conveying to them the sad intelligence of Br. [Brother] Jerome’s death and the source from which it was obtained from that letter. There seemed to be a faint ray of hope that he still lived, but your letter of the 20th inst. [instant] which reached me this morning I think confirms the worst and that we must give up all hope of ever seeing him again on earth. I have made every effort since these battles commenced to get intelligence from him. Have read every name of the wounded and killed that have been published without finding his among them. Still, I was not wholly unprepared for this intelligence. I knew Jerome too well to believe that no news was good news. I knew the love he cherished for his friends was such that if he was living and was not in the hands of the Rebels, he would get some word to us and in absence of this I have feared the worst. Oh, how happy I would be now to have this feeling dispelled and to hear that he was still alive, but I confess to you that I have been unable to drive it from my mind and have waited with fear and trembling and now what can one say for the comfort of others when all suffer so equally. I confess that I am dumb. On my right and on my left, before me and behind in mourning and weeping for the dead and the dying of loved ones, and I am in the midst. Never can we say more than to pray the Father to lighten these afflictions if in his wisdom he sees is for our good. But if we must drink of the cup, that he will give us strength to bear all and turn it to our good. Allie’s case is hard indeed. All that pity and sympathy can do she will have but how faint the sum. Friends with all their sympathy can not heal so deep a wound, but I trust she will have strength given her equal to her day from the only source from which such strength comes. And now let me turn from this sad view (for it is not all sad) and speak of our Brother whom we fear has passed from us. First, then, when was he not engaged in a good cause, did he not fall in fighting for the maintenance of the best government ever devised by man? Have we not every reason to believe that he entered the cause from pure principles of patriotism? And could we wish that he had had fulfilled his duty better? Has he left anything undone on which we could have wished he had done? Has he not left an example behind worthy the imitation of all men? I had the honor of (in some measure) bringing him up but I confess that I never knew [h]is true worth until since he entered the Army. I have watched his every action with the deepest interest and with admiration and I cannot wish that he had done anything different. I am confident that his example and influence has been altogether for good and has been felt and pervaded all those who have been associated with him. In time I believe it would be difficult to find a more disinterested patriot, a purer character and a truer friend. His love for his friends was unbounded and are looking to their good. Will any one who knew him say that. I have overstated anything, I think not. He has died young but I think few have fulfilled life’s duties better. I said it was not all sad. Am I not right? Must we not to be thankful that we had such a brother? When grieving for ourselves shall we not find great relief in contemplating his pure character? I think if we view it right, if we take him as an example his death will not be lost upon us. I have admired his course so much that I had long ago made up my mind that when he returned I should assist him to business and that he should be my partner. But alas! that privilege is denied me. I can however do for his wife and little one. I will now say that since I have been writing Mr. Whitney who has been to Washington to see to a brother who was wounded has come to my house and tells me that he saw two men who belonged to the 36th Regt [Regiment] one of whom saw Jerome buried. He says he was killed instantly. He says he knows where he was buried and thinks he could find the body. Mr. Whitney also saw the nurse who took care of Joseph. He said he had gone back, but he thought he was hardly able. Still he was pretty well. These are trying times for us all and I am aware that it is doubly so to you, but it is beyond the power of friends to give you relief. You can only watch and hope. My heart’s desire is that you may not be called upon to drink deeper of the affliction. Will write again if I get anything more. Yours with best wishes to all. F [Foster] Peirce P.S. Henry wrote you that he was coming up. He will not come. We are all to(o) sad. FP TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: As Foster indicated in his letter, Abbie (Abigail) Jaquith was Allie’s sister. She was born in 1836, and she died in 1915. NOTE 2: The definition of “Instant” as used in this letter is “current month”. Note 3: He uses the word “dumb” in the sense of “temporarily speechless, as with shock or fear.” NOTE 4: The comment about Franklin “in some measure bringing up Jerome” is noteworthy. In the 1840 U. S Census Jerome is shown as living in the Foster Peirce household. Jerome was 19 years old at the time. Foster was 18 years older than Jerome. NOTE 5: Details about “Mr. Whitney’s brother” could not be determined because there were four men named Whitney in the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment, three of whom were wounded in 1864, including two at Spotsylvania Court House. One, who was wounded at Cold Harbor, Virginia, died of his wounds. 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, May 22, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Foster Peirce, Joseph 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 1864-05-22 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 #219 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. Foster Peirce Joseph Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/2b55ac508359001ec533413c84e67e72.jpg c703625aa75abd7f56d982cedcc10d0d https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/80f4a32eeb5e8431603a1e188a4620bd.jpg f1abea2906613990f8107786650bc51d https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/af85359879dfc592c27dc9ca4f7ef46d.jpg c252d12454d3370e03cc47b9d54d0330 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 June 5th 1864 Br [Brother] Joseph, Since you left here Alonzo has seen Allie and talked with her in regard to having services held in commemoration of our Br [Brother] Jerome. She at first thought Charlestown would be the place she would desire, but on more consideration thinks it would be quite as proper and in accordance with her feelings, to have them held in Orange as that was his last place of residence and believing he has many friends there who appreciate his worth. With this view of hers and in accordance with my own feelings I would like to have you contact his friends there, and if you find it meets their wishes, you will write me and we can fix upon a proper time. My feeling would be that it should be held as part of Sunday Service either in forenoon or afternoon as I know of one way in which a service could be of more benefit to those who are all brought under deep affliction by this dispensation or more who are in deep sympathy. If you will give me your views I will reply and endeavor to fix upon the time. I will add that I am not aware that Jerome ever had an enemy and with the active part he took in everything good and particularly in the Sunday School while in Orange, I cannot but think he has left many friends who would be desiring to have the service held there. I will close by saying that my family are all in pretty good health. Give my best regards to all your family, and I am yours as ever, F. Peirce TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE (Josef Rokus) The memorial service that Jerome’s brother Foster discusses in this letter was held on Sunday, June 19, 1864, with the pastor, Rev. Levi Ballou (1806 – 1865), officiating and giving the sermon, in the church in Orange, Massachusetts, which Jerome and Alli attended and where Jerome had been the “Sabbath School Superintendent.” In his sermon, Rev. Ballou made reference to several letters that Abbie had shared with him. The following is an excerpt from that sermon. “Again, he writes his companion [his wife, Albinia or Allie], only 12 days before he fell, and after describing the place where he then was, as reminding him much of certain localities where they had in former days conversed and strolled together. He adds that by the movements of the army, “It looks like a fearful future for some.” He asks, “Shall we be spared the last fearful conflict?” “We hope all will be for the best.” He then speaks of his darling child to whom he sends some flowers which he had culled for her to keep to remember Papa and in closing says, ‘I hope to see you again soon.’” This collection of letters also includes two letters sent by friends of Jerome and Allie to Rev. Ballou in early June of 1864 that were read at the funeral service. In another letter in this collection, dated June 9, 1864, i.e., four days after this letter, that Allie sent to her sister Mary, she wrote that she is “very unwell” and that she is making plans to go to Orange for the service. Presumably she did. Rev. Ballou’s entire sermon was obtained with the help of the current minister at the First Congregational Parish Church in Orange, Massachusetts, from the Rare Books Department of the Hesburgh Library of the University of Notre Dane, Notre Dame, Indiana, which has all of Rev. Ballou’s papers. Those papers also include sermons Rev. Ballou gave at the services for three other men from Orange who were killed 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 Foster Peirce to Brother Joseph, June 5, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Foster Peirce, Joseph Boston, MA. Description An account of the resource From Foster Peirce to Brother Joseph 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 1864-06-05 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 #221 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 Joseph Foster Peirce Joseph Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/487725a50956bb5227b3e255bbf69844.jpg 48357ba6450843660af90f5752929103 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/81ee21c26f7b38760fd21a29fb352adf.jpg 7df0b2e6d74d63642b8a8ba5a6fe23e0 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/ad5e216625b9f38aaf3b66a26f2a1b9b.jpg ee724e54d3c390bfbc3416a298692e58 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, June 10th, ‘64 Br. (Brother) Joseph, Your favour of the 5th [of June] was rec’d [received] on Tuesday last and I should have replied to you ‘fore this, had I not have written you on Saturday, by which you was made acquainted with my recent [letter] corresponding with your own. As we were agreed, I did not deem a reply necessary. I will say however, that the time flied. One week from next Sunday is probably the same time I should have named, had it have been left with me. I cannot say to you now how many of us will come up, but I and my wife shall go and perhaps some or many of the family. I think I may write you again early in the week. In [the] meantime, if you hear from Joseph Henry, or anything from the Army, please write. I will say, we rec’d [received] a letter from Allie last evening informing us of the rect. [receipt] of [the] letter from you and saying she intended to go to Orange the middle of next week. She says he[r] health is better. I can add nothing more of interest at this time except, to say, my family are pretty well. Alonzo, I think, is gaining slowly. With best wishes to you all, I am yours as ever F. Peirce TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: F. Peirce was Foster Peirce. He was the brother of Joseph Peirce, to whom this letter is addressed, and Jerome. NOTE 2: This letter is one of several letters that were sent among family members to arrange the details of the funeral service that was held in Orange, Massachusetts, on Sunday, June 19, 1864, with Rev. Eli Ballou officiating. NOTE 3: The word “flied” is an acceptable past tense of the word “fly”, although it has been replaced with the word “flew” today. NOTE 4: The “Joseph Henry” was Joseph Peirce’s son. He is referred to in many of Jerome’s letters but usually as “J.H.” or “Jos. H.” and at least once as “Joe.” One letter refers to him as “Joseph, Jr.” 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, he was Jerome’s nephew. NOTE 5: In Foster’s reference to hearing anything from the Army, he might have been referring to any news about Joseph Henry or about 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 Foster Peirce to Brother Joseph, June 10, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Foster Peirce, Joseph Boston, MA. Description An account of the resource From Foster Peirce to Brother Joseph 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 1864-06-10 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 #223 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 Joseph Foster Peirce Joseph Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b7eb6f92f5491d2a63d30a27925bf73b.jpg 378a76800bfc740e9c204a6027f20b75 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/c92cbb601399ff7952d8cef5af6b9722.jpg 4c9bdd183bf204517b861af6cea4acd8 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0708a0b6e4edfdfc23fd527c1b72b9c7.jpg 3fc853013fee2ce1e72f2f157a395de3 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e0cd03d50d21b7ca78fcf59e828fe45b.jpg 6cdae3b1ad26c6b24b391cbb00382027 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 June 15th 1864 Br. [Brother] Joseph, I drop a line to you to say that it is now my intention to go to Orange on Friday next but I have not fully decided whether to go in the morning train at ½ past seven or at ½ past five in the evening. As I feel that it would be putting you to much trouble to go to the depot twice, I think if I come in the morning I will get carried over (or I think I may) but if I do not come in that train I would like to have you meet me on the arrival of the evening train. I do not know how many will go up. Lucy intends to and Martha will go if she can leave. My Edward I think will go on Saturday. Alonzo and Ellen will not go as he can not well leave his business, beside[s] he is not very well. There are many of his old associates in Charlestown who have been to me and expressed a great desire to go but it is very difficult for most of them to leave as they are in banks and counting houses. I think two or three may go. If so they will go on the evening train Saturday and we can meet them. I shall know all about it before I leave. I will now say that I do not think there was ever a young man in Charlestown who has left so many friends as Jerome has. Old and young men and women in numbers beyond my conception have been to me to express their sympathy and the great loss they feel personally. I have a communication from one of the members of the Literary Association to which he belonged giving an account of his early life, his connection and influence in the association and the estimation in which he was held by the members. I wish to have Mr. Ballou see it and did intend to send it by this mail but I prefer to see the writer and get his consent to have Mr. Ballou use it as he may think proper. I do not desire that one word of praise should be said in regard to Jerome that he did not merit. But believing as I do that all such services are intended for the benefit of the living not the dead, (We cannot affect them. They have become our teachers or they’re example.) and believing Jerome to be an example he or they the imitation of all young men. I feel that I should be recreant to duty did I not place before the one who is to speak on this occasion his early history more fully than the people of Orange were able to learn it in the short time he was with them. Thus I do wish the hope that the service may not be lost upon those who listen to them. I shall be up in time for Mr. Ballou to make such use as he may desire of any information I may bring. You will use your judgment about saying anything to Mr. Ballou before I come. You can read him this letter if you choose. With best wishes to all I am yours etc. F. Peirce TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: Foster Peirce, who wrote this letter, was a brother of Joseph and Jerome. He apparently helped organize the funeral service held at the Orange, Massachusetts, church on June 19, 1864, four days after this letter was written. In a letter in this collection (No. 220) which was read at the funeral service, Charles F. Smith provides additional details about Jerome’s early life and his connection to Jerome, and about the “Literary Association” referred to in this letter. He wrote, “Associated with him from childhood, I feel it a privilege to bear testimony to his worth and to the esteem in which he was held by his comrades. As a boy he was noted for his studious habits and eagerness for knowledge. As he grew to manhood his frank and generous nature, his conscious regard for the right and his genial disposition made him a great favorite with his companions. In 1851 ten young men who had been schoolmates and intimate friends matured a plan for forming a society for mutual mental improvement. Into this scheme Jerome entered with all the zeal and earnestness so characteristic of him and we soon found our society increasing in numbers, in interest and usefulness. Through the liberality of citizens pleased with the stand we had taken, a fund was raised for the purpose of providing us with a Library. We knew Jerome to be a great student with a thorough knowledge of books and authors and to him mainly was entrusted the duty of selecting our Library and to it, with characteristic liberality, he made many additions of choice volumes from his own shelves. That Library composed as it is mainly of the more solid works of English literature, has always been a source of just pride to us and an enduring monument to Jerome’s energy and literary taste.” NOTE 2: The “My Edward” that Foster Peirce referred to in this letter was one of his sons, based on entries in several censuses that were found on ancestry.com. Edward was 19 years old in 1864. NOTE 3: The word “recreant” means “unfaithful or disloyal to a belief, duty or cause.” NOTE 4: The following background information about Rev. Ballou and his papers is based on information on the website of 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 Foster Peirce to Brother Joseph, June 15, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Foster Peirce, Joseph Boston, MA. Description An account of the resource From Foster Peirce to Brother Joseph 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 1864-06-15 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). 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 #224 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 Joseph Foster Peirce Joseph 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