4 10 273 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 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/c40eed97f96f64533f3eade96d44e2ae.jpg ea6d2810ebd5b363b7a80840ca454c53 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3916466740b2c31e3108b68ac716ff0c.jpg 492d16676307714c2bfae79b9aec168c https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/5c2f5a3f220af98c6be92c61864a4c19.jpg 7f9df7172d193325bbee538d0f3f0674 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b09c60766b395ca1f71288453d506a19.jpg f90e97c173a8cdfc2cc0637b327035a8 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8dd7943400fb6b2f6fe37174f0289d8a.jpg c0c48bf81c4e3dab5989f1602f130e3c 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 Charlestown, June 15, 1864 My Dear Sir, I comply, with a sad sympathy, with the request made to me to furnish a few words of commemorative regard and respect to the tribute which is to be paid to our late cherished friend Jerome Peirce. I was unwilling to receive the first reports which came to me that his young and hopeful life had entered into costly sacrifice of the brave and the good, the patriotic and the useful which thousands of our happiest homes in city and country are now offering to what their death makes all the more precious and sacred a cause to us. It seems that information from a trustworthy source has removed all ground for hope that he may still be among the living. Let us yield him up as he yielded himself. Let us commemorate him in a way consistent with the modes and simplicity of the childlike sincerity of his character. The resources of our language, as well as our hearts, are now daily drawn upon to furnish fitting tributes of honor and love that shall have a special fitness to each case of sorrow, whether inflicted by the loss of one conspicuous in official rank or in soldierly or private virtues, or whether hidden in the humility of modest worth from the knowledge of the world to be the tenderly cherished by a narrow and endeared private circle. Jerome Peirce will receive from those who knew him well, as hearty and tender a tribute as will be given in any form of homage from circles of men and women however elevated or wide their range, to any hero of our war. I am informed that your male population in the town where he lived for a short time after leaving this city, is now mourning nearly all of the little band of young men who went from their quiet homes to the dreadful battle field. I have given a thought to them, and to their mourning friends, while I write these lines with particular reference to only one among them whom I knew; and in all of them I feel an indirect interest as his companions – first in life and now in death. It is eight years this month since Mr. Peirce became a member of the Church here of which I am the Pastor. I had many good opportunities for knowing the qualities of his character and the tenor of his life. His circumstances required of him industry and frugality. He joined with those virtues a most [???] and contented spirit, drawing delight from pure and very simple pleasures, refining his tastes, and informing his mind. He was a consistent Christian in the Sunday School and Church, in his home, and in the streets; and he must have been eminently such in his occupations, for he pursued them only to help him to the best ends of life. He was actively interested here in all our religious and humane enterprises, ever ready to do his part in real work and always doing it beautifully by personal influence. I do not know that I ever met with a human pair more congenially mated for the household joys and cares and responsibilities of life than were he and the lonely stricken partner of his short tenure of existence as a husband and a father. It was very difficult for me to conceive of him as a soldier; I said so to him very frankly when he came to see me on his visit here from his camp. His gentle spirit and peaceful ways as well as the mildness of his looks and tones seemed utterly out of harmony with the actual work of a military service; and especially so with the traits and duties which require the infliction of vindictive or mortal blows upon fellow men. It was my own secret hope that the fortuitous arrangements of camp life and the incidents of his campaign might happily fit him in to a place and assign to him tasks in which he might have the consciousness of doing the full work of a patriot in arms with as little as possible of a ruthless activity. But I was weaker in this with than he was in [???] and fibre of his own of his own full consecration of himself to all that his military profession should exact. A soldier must be a soldier in the completeness of its stern conditions. He was such a one. Mr. Peirce’s friends know very well that he regarded the rational purpose of this War as defensive against our utter ruin and disgrace and offensive only against a traitorous and malignant crime. In that full and firm belief he gave himself to the ranks, and his convictions deepened as he followed their lead. So good a man commends to us the goodness of his cause. I therefore looked upon him as one of many loved and honored young men known to me who would do a double service in this dread strive. First their conscious principles would make them formidable foes of rebels; and second, their private virtues would qualify them to exert a restraining and elevating influence upon multitudes on our own side of a less noble and pure character. So while these our Christian soldiers with an indignant scorn of treachery and the prowess of a noble patriotism confronted the rebels in the field, they would also help to purify their own camp and to infuse a right spirit into their coarser associates. Mr. Peirce has proved his fidelity in both ways. All our country towns – even the most quiet and retired of men are hence forward to have Memorial Monuments standing amid grass and foliage to the honored young victims of our nation’s cause. Jerome Peirce will not be forgotten or placed low on the list, when its sad record is complete. Respectfully Yours, George E. Ellis TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES NOTE 1: 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 2: As indicated in the letter, George E. Ellis was the pastor in the church in Charlestown, Massachusetts, that the Peirce family belonged to prior to moving to Orange, Massachusetts. An Internet search provided the following details about him. George Edward Ellis was born in 1814 in Boston, Massachusetts, and he died in 1894, also in Boston. He graduated from Harvard College in 1833 and from the Harvard. Divinity School in 1836, and he was ordained in 1840 as the pastor of the Harvard Unitarian Church in Charlestown, Massachusetts. From 1857 until 1863, he was professor of systematic theology in the Harvard Divinity School. In addition to being the pastor at the church, he also wrote and lectured extensively. George Ellis resigned from the pastorate of the Harvard Unitarian Church in 1869. He was president of the Massachusetts Historical Society and also a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard University in 1850-1854. Harvard awarded him the degree of D.D. in 1857 and that of L.L.D. in 1883. He is buried in the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts. NOTE 3: This letter provides some indication as to how long Jerome Peirce family lived in Orange, Massachusetts, prior to his enlistment on August 4, 1862, in Orange, namely “a short time after leaving this city [Charlestown, Massachusetts].” Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From George E. Ellis to Rev. Mr. Ballou, June 15, 2864 Subject The topic of the resource Ellis, George E. Rev. Mr. Ballou Charlestown, MA. Description An account of the resource From George E. Ellis to Rev. Mr. Ballou Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource George E. Ellis Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1964-06-15 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 #225 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. Charlestown MA. George E. Ellis Rev. Mr. Ballou https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/4c45c02b549f0adbc67b091207b29de5.jpg 2416c29dffa21fea755135b6e0e0c327 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e2aaa178f9603563c53d4475498ffc2d.jpg 8a233daabe38333c018bc605534a98a0 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/cf32e64ca2316edec79ea26a3a538b36.jpg d3ad520b56f66939f97a6dec4d27d578 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/9c01d2e08cdfddf682e92602a2df014b.jpg 3e85301c6160d9123482d302abcf5090 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/693bbf7119fa69dad2ceecfbe69aa8c7.jpg ad57dd4b2711d9ee57535812fcc1ccf1 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/609adb480acc993f696012b37738c72f.jpg ed90a1af1db615ddbafd9d8a1798938e 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 Miscellaneous Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document LETTER TRANSCRIPTION No. Orange [Massachusetts] 23rd Dec. 1860 Dear ones all, Sabbath eve once more and that in midwinter with us, and it does seem so far off to the friends. But then in these troubled times, it does also seem pleasant to be in some snug corner of the good old “Bay State” and with warm fire and bread enough for the present necessities. Peep into the outward world and be thankful for present benefits. Not that I am desponding for out of present chaos and distress, I believe will come order and prosperity and even “Union” if we wait patiently. Allie and Lou [Lulu] are just retired, the latter has a bad cold which has made her quite ill for some days, and then we think her eye teeth are coming, so that it is all A [Allie] can do to take care of her, but as she is no worse and even playful and prattling we hope all will [???] well. Allie cannot write this time I think, but I suppose her doings have been pretty much as ever, but gets quite tired, but I believe as well as usual. The boil has, or is, disappearing. A few days ago we recd. [received] a very cordial and pleasant letter from Albert Smith inviting us down and to make it our home with them, etc., but she and Lou [Lulu] of course could not go and I before mentioned that I should not. Accounts from Boston are very gloomy, business down and a hard winter in prospect. Suppose it will affect us, although I shall keep doing for the present. By the way, I am at my old trade a little. Some days ago, while at Athol, spoke with a furniture dealer, an acquaintance of and trader with Bro. [Brother] J [Joseph] about ornamental work as I had seen some on sleighs that he sold (for you must know that they “dicker” in everything here), made him acquainted with my little knowledge of the art, so sent for me to ornament a sleigh, which I did yesterday P.M., bouquets on back inside of dasher, etc., and in consequence shall do a whole set of furniture this week, and if business comes up, I think there is quite a little show ahead in that line. I think much of my art yet, and it will perhaps be a great help to me here. I merely mention this for you. And Abby or any of you that think there is something grand in winter as I rode home from A [Athol] last eve. J came for me. It was a great snow storm and the woods was perfectly beautiful, loaded with the silvery coat and I felt really sentimental over winter! Old Sully looks grey like some grand monarch of the Vale as he is. We have some ten inches or a foot of snow (and as much rain a few days since I should think), but it is excellent sleighing. At home this A.M., read Dr. Bellow’s sermon from the “Inquirer” on “The Providential necessity of the present crisis in affairs”. Liberal, kindly, but progressive view of things, and if good sermons could save the Nation, certainly ‘twould be done. But I can’t say much about it, but came hope a great deal notwithstanding. Our Christmas festival comes off tomorrow eve, and rehearsed the pieces to sing this P.M. with quite a company at Mr. Johnson’s “up the hill”. I mentioned before I believe, we have a great deal of sickness here. Mr. & Mrs. Ballou have the lung fever and are in great danger I expect. But how is your Sabbath? Am very happy to hear there is a prospect of another pastor whom I hope you will like. I see a Mr. Barber is settled in Tyngsborough. Where is Mr. Chaffee? Thanks for the letters, papers, etc., Frank also, write often. May you gain much in “Paradise Lost”. Realities are intruding fearfully upon my poetical inclinations, but I shall meet the future all the better for it. Mary, your token for Lou [Lulu] was quite fine. Her health has prevented her reading much of late, but still she gabbles over “boggle”, “coggle”, “Pretty little girl”, “that’s pretty”, and “Abagail” quite plain much to the amusement of her many friends. Shakes her hand a “day day” whenever I leave the house. Almost walked today. Hattie, what are you reading? Hope you [are] well and happy. Mother, we understand and appreciate what you say about Hattie or any one visiting us in these times. It was a “sacrifice” abandoning my visit to you and the City this season. But must close. When shall we meet? May this find you well and let us hear often. Love to each and all. From affect. yours, Jerry [Jerome] & Allie TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: The envelope accompanying this letter is addressed to Capt. F. Jaquith, Billerica, Mass. That was almost certainly Allie’s father, Franklin Jaquith, Sr., who lived in Billerica, Massachusetts. NOTE 2: In various census and other records, Jerome’s occupation before he enlisted in the Union Army is listed as “gilder.” The term usually refers to someone who “covers something with a thin layer of gold.” However, a broader definition is “someone who adorns something (maybe unnecessarily) that is already beautiful.” Therefore, his occupation could be interpreted as someone who decorates furniture. He is also identified as a “chair painter.” NOTE 3: Rev. Levi Ballou was the minister at the church in Orange, Massachusetts, when Jerome and Allie lived in North Orange. He gave the sermon at the funeral service held for Jerome on June 19, 1864. Jerome was also the “Sabbath School Superintendent” at that church. 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 and Allie to "Dear ones all", December 23, 1860 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie North Orange, MA. Billerica, MA. Description An account of the resource From Jerome and Allie to "Dear ones all" Envelope is addressed to Capt. F. Jaquith, Billerica, MA. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome and Allie 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 1860-12-23 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Barb Davidson (Transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 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 #244 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. "Dear ones all" Allie Billerica MA. Jerome Peirce North Orange MA. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/841d46421c9f49d26a085c4b144a297a.jpg d5f6486a15c728c96abe55f3b5aace48 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/39975e229b38eb8859291ceac471ea9f.jpg a2baaa3d4c0b083d43dde10027dbb74f 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 1862 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Old Camp, Falmouth &c Tues Eve 16 Dec 1862 Yes, my dear Wife, J.H. & I sit here in the old place, in our tent, alive, safe, and I am in excellent health[.] J.H. is fatigued somewhat from the tiresome experience of the last few days. he is reading a paper from home. And how can I speak of these “latter days”? Have been since last Thu[r]sday, within sight and hearing of all the Combined horrors of war expecting every hour to face the cannon and musketry, which have swept many noble men into eternity, but the thought of those at home, of their fearful anxiety, this was worse than thought of myself. Words fail me, but I felt I must send a line home, to tell you of my safety, and thus my “presentiment” still holds true! Such strange & novel situations! It fatigues me as I recall them! I have kept a few notes which I enclose, made during moments, expecting every moment to meet the enemy. A stormed & sacked City! it beggars all description. Every house riddled with shot—furniture, and books, keepsakes bedding and everything pertaining to store and housekeeping in one dirty, Confused mass in the streets, and indoors—here a room with splendid sofas and pianos, bedsteads Cut in two, or torn all to pieces with shell and shot, while soldiers were ransacking and carrying off everything they could get hands on, and officers taking their meals in the best houses, smoking &c amid all this ruin! Mayor’s Slaughters house was the most elegant house, in a fine garden. I did not enter it, but Capt S did. it shared the Common ruin. Books in abundance. He secured a Copy of Longfellow’s “Hyperion,” and read it through, while awaiting orders, in the field, or street, while I passed much time, reading Harper’s Magazine, or Pierpont’s “Introduction to the National Reader”, which I intended to have brought away, but was obliged to throw it away. I picked it out of the mud, in a field, and I may tell you more of it sometime. It is Roll Call and I must write a line to Fosters folks and Jos. H’s. Your letter of the 7th was read while standing in the street on Sunday, mud ankle deep, in line of battle. Also one from Ellen P. Wrote a brief note to you just before I got them. Yesterday got you[r]s of the 9nth while in the Ravine, a little ways from the City. Also a beautiful one from Kate, and Henry P. what a good hand writing for one so young! Will answer soon. Also (on Sunday) one from Will. All well. one from Mr C Mayo[.] I can only tell you by word of mouth of these days. Your notes to my fri[e]nds with my pictures are all right. My talk about Capt S. and your messages, was banter. I gave them. he wished to be as kindly remembered to you. I showed him you & Lulus picture, but he cannot appreciate a family mans feelings, I think, fully. Your letters I am not ashamed of! no, not so! Send ever thing like stockings vests &c shirts by mail. They come to others every day safely. I need only 1 Pr Socks, two pairs woolen draw[er]s, one thick (ribbed) if possible) undershirt, but a thick vest, button to the chin, (of old Cloth just as well), more than all. We have to be careful of loading our knapsacks. Our movements are a mystery, but the rebs cannot be beaten with infantry out of their forts about F. Will write soon. Adieu Jerome Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter 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, December 16, 1862 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Falmouth, VA Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce 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 1862-12-16 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Donald Pfanz (Transcriber) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.15 X 9.10-1st File 6.15 X 9.10-2nd Scan jpg Language A language of the resource English 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). Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #49 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Falmouth VA https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0e0223fee227890b571c14cf87cb1691.jpg 6843fc5ace6cf955d600f30a2691dafd https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/1815ddac00ccc1e366c9194999256a75.jpg 40ce32a73b935f9bd9cbc2df3ffd800a https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/0309fd2711587334242ffd9744aace0b.jpg 419724275ef5623ef841c3d1caa8c639 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document LETTER TRANSCRIPTION Lexington, Ky. 7th April 1863 My own dear Allie, Col. Bowman with some 500 men marched (by rail) to Covington and then marched (by rail) back again! It is getting evening fast but I thought I must send you the usual “line” for “we have no abiding place” and I shall send you little but to inform you of our whereabouts, etc. Well, on Sunday P.M. while at services, orders came to, “pack up and fall in.” So I closed a letter to you and was soon at the rail road and at dark [we] were on the way. Arrived at Covington (opposite Cincinnati) and for the first time found out our errand, which was to be ready to keep order as it was election in the city (of C. [Cincinnati]). Left the cars early (remaining in the cars) till morning and then marched out nearby and “stacked arms” and “laid ‘round” all day. Built fires and made coffee as at Fredericksburg. No disturbance occurring, we returned to the cars at dark and remained all night and left early for this place again this morn[ing]. Now all this looks queer as it is a hundred miles, but I expect we did great good by our presence. Just think what a potency there is in the 36th [Regiment]!! Well, we are tired and worm almost as on marches for I assure you, sleeping in a baggage car(s) is no easy matter. But what will you say when I tell you that I am better than when we left, altho I’m tired and shall “sleep big” tonight. Passed most of my time with Ben E. and we “run together” as natural as can be and I find he fills an important part of my existence and trust nothing will take him out of the Regt. while I am in it. No mail yet, but many of the boys got letters in Co’s. C & B [Companies C and B]. Regt. men returning from furloughs and I hear that Alonzo is at home and will probably relinquish the idea of returning to the Army. A wise thing, no doubt. Such is life of late. How is it with thee? No letters for some unaccountable reason and how far it seems from home. As I looked out upon the country and saw particularly in the villages the mixture of White and Blacks how different from dear old Mass. [Massachusetts]. Here it is in a mild form and the slaves no doubt are comparatively happy, yet I see nothing enticing in it. Fine plantations and lands but yet my heart turns fondly to the old Bay State. God bless her! Weather still chilly and disagreeable and yet the sun has been quite pleasant today but evenings are chilly and we have to keep close. How is my little Lulu and her Mama? Did you get my various scrawls on the road? One of them contained some pieces of muslin I found in the streets of Fredericksburg and have carried them ever since. Hope there is enough to dress a doll for her. Rumors are rife that we move again in a day or two, but we know nothing. If we could receive letters and our pay, ‘twould “moralize” the Army strongly. What can I say to cheer you? I am told public feeling [at] home never was better in regard to the War. I hope so. We are far from home now and a great deal of “Secesh” is about us so we are more in the dark than ever, but I still hope on. Please write the friends (some of them) and tell them we are so fixed I can’t write as much perhaps as formerly. Will do my best. I wrote Abbie to direct letters to “Lexington via Cincinnati.” The new mode is “Burnside’s Dept. via Cincinnati.” Hope soon to have a heap of letters. Give Lulu a kiss from Papie, and if she can spare, more to Mama. Must bid you good night once more. Remember you are ever in my thoughts and distance intensifies my thoughts of home. Shall write every opportunity. As ever your own loving husband, Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Col. Henry Bowman, from Clinton, Massachusetts, enlisted as a Captain in the 15th Massachusetts Volunteers on August 1, 1861. He was captured at Ball’s Bluff, Loudon County, Virginia, on October 21, 1861. He was a prisoner of war at Richmond and was a hostage for Confederates held in New York for trial as pirates. Bowman was exchanged in August 1862. On August 22, 1862, he was promoted to colonel, commanding the 36th Massachusetts. He resigned on July 27, 1863, but was recommissioned in October of 1863. He subsequently served in different units, including at Baltimore and Philadelphia until the close of the war. NOTE 2: Per the Unit History, “Nothing of special interest occurred until Sunday, April 5th [1863]. On that day a brigade service had been appointed, and at three o’clock in the afternoon the Thirty-sixth and the one Hundredth Pennsylvania assembled. In the midst of the service, orders came for us to break camp immediately. We struck our tents and marched to the depot, where cars were in waiting. Our baggage was put on board, and we were off for Cincinnati at half-past five. We reached Covington shortly after midnight, but remained in the cars until morning. We then marched to an open field near the station and stacked arms. The colonel reported the arrival of the regiment to General Burnside and learned that it was election day in Cincinnati, and we were there to quell any disturbance that might arise at the polls. But no disturbance occurred. We remained all day in the field near the depot, suffering a little from the cold, bleak wind. Tuesday morning, about half-past seven o’clock, we left Covington and reached Lexington about half-past three in the afternoon, when we marched to our old campground and spent the rest of the day in rearranging our quarters.” NOTE 3: The “Ben E.” referred to in this letter was Benjamin B. Edmands. He enlisted as a Private at age 27 from Brookline, Massachusetts, and he was subsequently promoted to Corporal. On January 20, 1864, he was discharged from the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment for promotion as a Lieutenant in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers. NOTE 4: The “Alonzo” Jerome referred to in his letters was Seth Alonzo Ranlett. Ranlett enlisted in Co. B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment as a Private on July 24, 1862, at age 22, and he was from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was promoted to First Sergeant on August 27, 1862, and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on December 1, 1862. On December 17, 1862, he was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment. He was mustered out “on account of physical disability from disease incurred in the service” on February 20, 1864. Ranlett was born on March 18, 1840, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and he died May 21, 1905, in Newton, Massachusetts. Ranlett’s wife was Ellen Peirce Ranlett, with a date of birth of March 22, 1842, and a date of death of January 12, 1914. They were married on January 21, 1864. Ellen Peirce was one of the children of Foster Peirce and his wife Catherine Abby Beaman. Also, Foster Peirce was a brother of Jerome. Therefore, the Ellen that Jerome mentions in his letters was one of Jerome’s nieces, and starting on January 21, 1864, Alonzo was the husband of one of his nieces. NOTE 5: The term “Secesh” (a somewhat derogatory slang word for “Secessionist” used by Northerners) was used at the time to designate a supporter of the Confederacy during the Civil War. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, April 7, 1863 Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie. Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-04-07 Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.25 X 9 10.75 X 9 6.25 X 9 Jpg Language A language of the resource English Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Lexington, KY. 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 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). Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #97 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Lexington, KY. https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/77241ddcfae489cbd6d4bcbec5c8ee7d.jpg 6fdc400e7b1b180e0e9e5d533c3b8ea4 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b1cefc2728aba924a96598cc5d4659ed.jpg 5fc4c3feee018ff0d38b8fcf3b94e1a7 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8802e540c146b5d999136c21fcd79e67.jpg 53bf0cd4e1a9243b3f8f1e168980fc50 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b0de9fd3a6a7f7ecc64b13a644b0cc06.jpg 713745c8dfc84be51c1f205c88d69fd3 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/b0f30c9aedbe2a502b2f57211ea7a06a.jpg 5c0dc0b9c7f1577f01148dbcd13b20b0 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/75999d1960c201dbc74a1c88155c6afb.jpg d12cea8ef0351a0db0c467950855de08 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Sunday P.M. 18th Jan 1862 1863 [See Note] My dear ones, The uncertainty of war still finds us by a comfortable fire in our tents, when we expected to have moved ere this. The weather is cool again, and today “orders to march” we[re] again Countermanded, which we are glad of, for being exposed, on marches, would decimate our ranks faster than battle. I wrote you on Thurs to [?], (one letter) expecting to march on[?]—and now I send a few lines. Am on guard duty today—have to post a guard every two hours near by passing the intermediate time in our tent. Have done little but, think and read yesterday’s paper. We have a sunny, beautiful day but Cool, and how much I wish I could be at church once more with you in old Mass! But what avails it. I can only do the next best thing—as we have no service - and it would still be “the next best thing.” Yesterday was out with a party a mile - good from Camp, chopping some wood for the Co. so we have cut away the forests since we came here! Father would think it wicked to see us burning the splendid White Oak woods which would [be] so good for timber. Did you have snow this time at the North? We imagined you must have had. Had a letter from Orange-- Sir- I got home safe, but fatigued of course. Said they had heard from you and expected a long visit from you and Lulu in the Spring! So are we always looking into the future, but hope you will indeed do so, and in a way to enjoy it, but uncertainty and fear rules the hours? till this wicked war ends. I see Gen Foster is again at work against Wilmington N.C. By the way Henry Boyden is with us again[.] Came on Fri. Is well and glad enough to get to the Regt. Mr Stevens is now really ill, at Alexana had a fever, and is quite feeble, but getting along slowly. thinks he will not get to the Regt. Guess he don’t wish to, and we all feel so, even the Capt. Would have a job if he had not been sick, working on barracks, jobbing[?] &c being a Carpenter. Had another letter from Henry [?] Fri Eve[.] Answered it yesterday, telling them of our still remaining here. Hope to hear from you tonight and that you have my picture by Foster. Also whether you have recd. all the money I have sent from here $9.00 & Lulu’s box, neither of which you have told me yet. I have just bought a nice lot of Stationary, so you need not send any for the present. Shall write Frank very soon. Did you get the letters by Foster? Also Mr. Bowen’s letter and Photograph? Will main this in the morning. Eve, past 8 o’clk. Mail in, & your letter of the 14th Am glad you got my letters so promptly—guess the inquiries at Washington about mail detentions are doing some good. I appreciate your feelings in regard to help from friends. I shall not feel troubled about being indebted to them after this. I have received your letters—money[?] 25[?] also stamps. Yes I know I sent you stamps in my last and understand your feelings in regard to money only I am trying to keep out of temptation and get along with as little as possible. I think you will get the things, picture & letter in time[.] Foster carried a letter from Martha in his packet till the next morning after he got here. .I had good chance to get some stationary—quite reasonable, so you can keep yours for the present. Have a quoir [sic] and bunch of good Envelopes also pens. It is getting late. shall be interrupted by guard duty thro’ the night: so must close. Got a letter from Ed Haynes—quite happy & well, but same old style. Monday morn-- Bright & fine—thought I would add a word. Heard from Alonzo R this morn. He is very sick of Typhoid Fever at Georgetown, which will prostrate him for awhile. Have got thro’ guard duty and have just got up some wood. Don’t move yet. Co Commenced drilling again this morn. Had some onions potatoes, & Salt beef this morn and it relished well. Can send a pair of socks when you get ready—no hurry. The boys are all well from – A. J. H. weighs 161. I have not been weighed for a long time. Shall write Frank today. Most dinner time, and think I shall have no news. you must see the papers for the rest. Mr. Heath is here from Charlestown. Have not spoken with him. He was carrying a gun for one of the men Coming from Picket. Adieu Jerome P P.S. Alonzo’s mother was with him. Don’t remember your speaking of receiving the money. All right, perhaps I did not get the letter. Will number this letter No. 1. Jan 18th Never mind the book “Hyperion” am afraid it would not get here, as I have expected once, but has not come yet and Capt. S. is abler to get one than you are to send it. Love always from Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE The original date on this letter was 18th Jan 1862. The year cannot be correct since Jerome did not enlist until August of 1862. Based on other research, this letter was definitely written on Jan. 18, 1863, instead of on Jan. 18, 1862. It has, therefore, been reassigned the Letter No. 60A to fall into the proper time sequence. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter / Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie and Lulu, January 18, 1864 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie and Lulu Falmouth, VA. 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 Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-01-18 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Donald Pfanz (Transcriber) Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 5.25 X 3 - 1st Scan 5.75 X 7 - 2nd Scan 5.75 X 7 - 3rd Scan 5.75 X 7 - 4th Scan 5.75 X 7 - 5th Scan 5.75 X 7 - 6th Scan jpg Language A language of the resource English Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #1 Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie and Lulu Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington 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). Type The nature or genre of the resource Text Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Falmouth, VA. Allie and Lulu Falmouth VA. Jerome Peirce https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8a241db3c06fd3b6ecdbfc4b396f5acf.jpg 654b95f5d710108e2a0e0ab8ff2cb93e https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/f3d2f6fab4b5d5102fbae013f2fc43f7.jpg e3ccac7b41132445223d3c799e3d60ef https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/e8dc0eb45906e4dd04731edd0293179d.jpg 3213d347425366e85df4c595a18e7494 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/f4fd001fac7908e49e3777f71d600a88.jpg 4dd3199c78ecb1fd361c275a93bafe31 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/18949741e5a192eb42e42c1d96563cfc.jpg 58f79f022eb19c4139146d5ce58abdd4 Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document On board Steamer “Hiawatha” Missi[ssippi] River Thurs Morning August 6th, 1863 Ever dear Allie, Once more northward bound after a campaign that will ever seem like a wild, tiresome dream, and it seems like a deliverance to feel that we are leaving it. I am sitting on my knapsack, while men are packed like figs. Three Regt’s and a battery of artillery are on board, and the last act is consistent with the whole management since we came, viz. abuse, fatigue and regardless of life or comfort. I have seldom grumbled, as you know, but somebody deserves to be shot for the conduct of this whole affair, and I speak that as protest may be on record somewhere. We have laid in camp more than a week when part of the time might have been taken in easy marching, instead of going twenty miles, as we did one day, and stacking seventy-five guns as the Regt. did one day, at noon halt, 75 guns out of some 350 men that ought to have been! The govt that allows such treatment to its soldiers will find its defenders scarce, if such things continue. I am well, in excellent health, but no thanks to them. Nothing but the greatest care could have kept me through. But enough. Tues. we moved from camp down to the landing. Laid by the road-side in the shade a little till yesterday P.M. when we came on board. A fine, large boat, with great landscape pictures on the wheelhouses. Passed “Lake Providence” where I mailed you a letter when we came down. Did you ever receive it? We are steaming along, moved all night last night, if we continue so, shall obtain release sometime. Don’t know where we shall stop, or what is in the future, but shall take a few notes and mail at the first opportunity. Manage to read to pass the time. Have got “Consuelo”, a French novel by Geo. Sand, belongs to Grant Crafts. Have not seen Ben [Edmands] since I came on board. So crowded, don’t know as I can get to him. This letter I found at “Edward’s Station”, where we destroyed the Rail Road. Thought it would be a curiosity [for you] to see it, all about cotton. The fields, camps, etc. are spotted with such documents from the houses where the soldiers have “called”, for you must know that almost all the houses are deserted. Sat. morning 8th. A lovely morning and early. Shall soon be at Memphis, Tenn. where I shall mail this. Have nothing particular to note, only that we have got along quite well, and we feel even now a change in the air which is quite invigorating and makes me at least feel more like myself than I have before for a long time. Oh, this Mississippi oven in which we’ve been living! Have just been “below” and had a good wash which we have learned to appreciate. It is a curious fact that soldiers take better care of themselves after a year’s experience than they do the first months after their enlistment. We have a few sick, but I believe they are gaining for the most part. The varioloid cases were sent “up stream” before us. Have been reading “Consuelo” most of the time, sitting erect for the most part or lounging a little. But we’ve learned to “be tired.” Had a nice chat with Ben [Edmands] yesterday P.M. Succeeded in getting aft where Co. “B’” is quartered. Now dear Allie, just think we’re once more coming towards home! The impression is that we shall go to Virginia somewhere, Fortress Monroe district perhaps. It will take weeks for the Corps to recruit to be of any service, and that is promised us. Morgan and his crew are fixed. Another “tug” is to come for Lee and his forces but I hope we shall be spared any work there. Coffee is come, steaming hot, and I will close, if there’s anything special, will add a word at M. [Memphis], otherwise, give love to all, and a k [kiss] for Lulu, and as many for yourself as you like. Hope for a mail at M. [Memphis] As ever, your loving husband Jerome Transcriber’s Note: The following is the transcription of the letter Jerome found at Edward’s Station as stated above. New Orleans Decr 26, 1853 W. F. Batley Esq. Jackson Miss. D. S. [Dear Sir]: We have received for steamer H.M. Wright Six Bales Cotton for your account, which will have our best attention. Today the demand has been brisk, and sales so far reach 4000 bales. No change in prices. Yours Very Truly Wright Williams and Co. for Frank Peters TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: The term “varioloid” was a common 19th century name for smallpox, but in the following century, the term would be used more specifically to describe milder forms of the disease that occurred in previously vaccinated individuals. Smallpox was a devastating disease. On average, three out of every ten people who contracted it died. Those who survived were usually left with scars, which were sometimes severe, and some were left blind. The basis for vaccination began in 1796 when an English doctor, Edward Jenner observed that milkmaids who had gotten cowpox did not show any symptoms of smallpox. However, widespread vaccinations did not occur until considerably later. During the Civil War, it was standard practice to physically separate the men who had contracted the disease in an area away from the main part of the camp to help prevent its spread. NOTE 2: “Consuelo” is a novel by George Sand, first published serially in 1842-1843 in La Revue indépendante, a periodical founded in 1841 by Sand, Pierre Leroux and Louis Viardot. The character of Consuelo was supposedly modeled after Louis Viardot's wife, the soprano Pauline Viardot. Pauline Viardot was a good friend of both Sand's and of her lover, Frédéric Chopin. George Sand’s real name was Amantine Lucile Aurore Dupin (1804-1876) who used George Sand as her nom de plume or penname. She was a French novelist and memoirist. (A pen name (nom de plume or literary double) is a pseudonym (or, in some cases, a variant form of a real name) adopted by an author and printed on the title page or by-line of their works in place of their "real" name. A pen name may be used to make the author's name more distinctive, to disguise their gender, to distance an author from some or all of their previous works, to protect the author from retribution for their writings, to combine more than one author into a single author, or for any of a number of reasons related to the marketing or aesthetic presentation of the work. The author's name may be known only to the publisher or may come to be common knowledge.) NOTE 3: Grant Crafts almost certainly was Corp. Frank. G. Crafts of Company B, who enlisted at age 24 from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was transferred to the V.R.C. (Veteran Reserve Corps) on May 31, 1864. The Veteran Reserve Corps (originally the Invalid Corps) was a military reserve organization created within the Union Army during the Civil War to allow partially disabled or otherwise infirmed soldiers (or former soldiers) to perform light duty, freeing able-bodied soldiers to serve on the front lines. It existed from 1863 until 1869. NOTE 4: The “Ben” referred to in this letter was Benjamin B. Edmands. He enlisted as a Private at age 27 from Brookline, Massachusetts, and he was subsequently promoted to Corporal. On January 20, 1864, he was discharged from the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment for promotion as a Lieutenant in the 54th Massachusetts Regiment of Volunteers. NOTE 5: Fortress Monroe, also known as Fort Monroe, is now a decommissioned military installation in Hampton, Virginia—at Old Point Comfort, the southern tip of the Virginia Peninsula. Along with Fort Wool, Fort Monroe guarded the navigation channel between the Chesapeake Bay and Hampton Roads—the natural roadstead at the confluence of the Elizabeth, the Nansemond and the James Rivers. Surrounded by a moat, the seven-sided star fort is the largest stone fort ever built in the United States. Throughout the Civil War, although most of Virginia became part of the Confederate States of America, Fort Monroe remained in Union hands. It became notable as a historic and symbolic site of early freedom for former slaves under the provisions of contraband policies. For two years thereafter, the former Confederate President, Jefferson Davis, was imprisoned at the fort. NOTE 6: In reference to the enclosure mentioned in the letter, there is a note on the front of the envelope which reads, “Cotton note”. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, April 6-8 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Perice, Allie Hiawatha steamer Mississippi River Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-08-06 1863-08-07 1863-08-08 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Paul and Louise Marahrens Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource 6.7 X 4.6 - 1st Scan 6.75 X 9.8 - 2nd Scan 11.8 X 6.7 - 3rd Scan 6.8 X 9.8 - 4th Scan 9.7 X 12.15 - 5th Scan (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 #147 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant On-board the steamer “Hiawatha” on the Mississippi River Allie Hiawatha Jerome Peirce Mississippi River steamer https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/254cb3a8f42a05d97ad65a52063905d5.jpg 60b30e1fccd572222761a8ec737162c1 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/d25c40a5172f4b104bfd20cff61059d1.jpg 96181fe06cae899b00838f3fc4829cc9 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/55e9a67d23326403d3fa72c7b3751a3b.jpg f9e8710d1c3795c280cb6a15bc613d37 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/6bdb52b07a02106e34328c2aeeabd2ca.jpg 638ac1541eff8b24f2e632de2733719d Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource 1863 Letter Archive Text A resource consisting primarily of words for reading. Examples include books, letters, dissertations, poems, newspapers, articles, archives of mailing lists. Note that facsimiles or images of texts are still of the genre Text. Text Any textual data included in the document Covington Ky. 13 th Aug 1863 Allie Mine, Once more in “Old Kentucky” alive and well. Left Cairo Monday P.M. and by rail to Cincinnati yesterday P.M., just a week from Snyder’s Landing (“Yazoo River”). Had a collation in the Fifth St. Market House, Cin i. [Cincinnati], and a pleasant chat with a fine lady who thinks everything of the soldier boys and it seems like civilization again. Came over here and into barracks for the first time. Don’t know how long we shall be here. Expect to be paid off today. It is said we’re to report at Lexington and rest up and then form the reserve as usual with Burnside in the Tennessee Expedition, Chattanooga and Georgia Railroad affair. The troops are mostly mounted but we form something to fall back on. This is what we gather from one of Gen. B’s [Burnside’s] staff who is in Cinn [Cincinnati]. Of course, you can only watch and see how near right I am and not take my word for it. Had rather be here than go to Virginia altho this if I was near home, [I] should try for furlough. But no knowing what will take place before fall. It seems a great treat to get stretched out. Steamboat and [railroad] car riding has kept us cramped up for a week. Had quite a look at Cin [Cincinnati] and passed through some of the same streets I did 11 years ago. Calling to mind the nice times of ‘52. Have just sent to the Express Office the books from Jackson Missi. [Mississippi]. Directed to “F. Peirce & Co. Boston etc. for Mrs. Jerome Peirce”. Hope you will receive them all right. Lulu will appreciate the smallest one now and keep “Mrs. Hermans” till she is older. I’m sitting here in my “bunk” talking and whistling, etc. about me and can’t write much of a letter, but you will know I am well. Am I not remarkably favored? When I think of the Missi. [Mississippi] Campaign I marvel that I’m alive! The sick are in hospitals here. Have not heard from [anyone] in particular. Expect Hiram Woodward is not living. [Was] taken on board the boat and failed rapidly, fever. Our “big” Color Sergeant is in the hospital, fever and agne. Have not had even a sign of it myself. I am satisfied that mild climates are better for my temperament. I sent you letters from Memphis and Cairo, also father some papers from C. [Cincinnati]. Direct your letters to Cincinnati again as of old. If we’re paid off shall forward you money immediately. I wish I could send more, but our payrolls are only for two months. The season is fine and the country is beautiful. Such vast cornfields, fruit and luxuriance of forest and wood. North Bend on the Ohio [River is] a charming place but the river is low. Love to the friends and when I get into camp will write more. Wrote Will C., mailed at Cairo. (Had a paper from him with his “Agency” notice.) Will send you a paper with the story of John Morgan the “Raider”. I must close. A kiss for Lulu and love as ever from Jerome J. H. All right. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1. Hiram Woodward enlisted at age 40 from Orange, Massachusetts. He died of disease on August 10, 1863, at Camp Dennison, Ohio. NOTE 2: The “J. H.” that Jerome referred to in this letter was Joseph H. Peirce. He enlisted as a Private in Orange, Mass., on August 4, 1862, at age 18. Jerome also enlisted in Orange on the same date, but as a corporal. Jerome was 31 years old at the time. According to the Unit History, Joseph H. Peirce was taken Prisoner of War at Pegram Farm, Virginia, on September 30, 1864, (See Letter No. 227) and he was later exchanged. He was discharged on June 21, 1865. Joseph H. Peirce was the son of Joseph Peirce, one of Jerome’s brothers, and was, therefore, Jerome’s nephew. NOTE 3: Morgan's Raid was a diversionary incursion by Confederate cavalry into Indiana and Ohio. The raid took place from June 11–July 26, 1863, and is named for the commander of the Confederates, Brig. Gen. John Hunt Morgan. Although it caused temporary alarm in the North, the raid was ultimately classed as a failure. 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, August 13, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Covington, KY. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available NPS for letters/UMW Digital History Students for scans Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-08-13 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Jim Bois (transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Relation A related resource --- Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource "6.8 X 4" - 1st Scan "6.4 X 9.4" - 2nd Scan "11.45 X 9.3" - 3rd Scan "6.5 X 9.4" - 4th Scan (JPG) Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource --- Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context Letter #148 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant --- Allie Covington Jerome Peirce KY