4 10 273 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/bd0558314628885c9ed958fcad85ffdc.jpg 015595face4e05778ac81f7ee6cd0e56 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/ab42ec78deebbd4888800f29f6a13ccf.jpg d8d2dd591c9c7ba437af510d3716d90b https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/72b819b1701d86feb5959df0ea4fdb80.jpg a6633beb190b65865e88d87d82f11ca0 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 Near “Camp Nelson” Ky Oct 27th 1863 My own dear ones, Came down here some over a mile yesterday P.M. where the train is that we expect to go to Knoxville with tomorrow and I am sitting here under my tent all alone with only your dear selves to speak to. Have been writing to the “Socials” thru Charles Smith and thought I would begin another message to you. My pen works bad and the wind blows quite cool and I fear I shall make sad work especially when I have no news, only waiting but I know you are ever watching and working and that any word is ever welcome so before I leave I must come once more. Wrote you Sunday. Wrote to Joseph’s folks and Haynes also and strolled about camp reading a little and wishing so much that we could be on our way, for it is the dullest of all work waiting. But yesterday Capt. Holmes came along with an order to draw fifteen days rations and get them to the teams and I am here watching them and Capt. H. [Holmes] went on to Crab Orchard and I do hope he will effect something for the poor fellows for I am told they are dying off and suffering as they must be if there isn’t better care of them than when I left. The “scare” from the “raiders” is all over and the trains are moving on again and they say the roads are all clear, only bad some of the way, but they are at work repairing them to Knoxville so we hope to get along very well and I feel as though I could endure anything better than laying here and I should be all right if the mails could come all right but ‘twill be a long time before I shall hear anything from any of the friends. What should we do now but [put] the faith in a higher power? “Tis here I learn how little we can do and I trust my experience in these times will not be without some good. Have told you about my return so far so I have nothing new but I am well and shall try and keep so to the end and what more can I do? How much, and constantly, you are in my mind! And little Lulu too. May she be well and happy and still remember her papa who loves her more than he can tell for all he is so far away. I should feel like a piece of “drift wood” did I not know that the dear ones at home still loved and remembered me in all my wanderings. The sun is out warm but the wind is cool and I shall have to stop awhile. Shall not mail till tonight or morning and will add a word then. Wednes[day] morning. Still here watching our rations. Don’t know when we shall start. So much work to get so many wagons started. After I finished writing yesterday, walked about five miles to see about things. Hear no news and can only repeat that we are waiting not knowing an hour before hand what is coming. Shall have to assist the drivers along etc. and shall have a tedious time I expect but I’ve seen home and you all! and so I can work on. I can’t interest you much but you have a line and I hope that will be something. Will improve every opportunity of sending back but you must not be surprised if I am silent a long time by and by. I hope you will see the Adjt. (Alonzo) and he can tell you many things perhaps about the journey. Must close and mail this today as it is time my regular letter was sent. Keep cheerful and let us hope the winter will not pass without some good fruit, individually and nationally. Shall hope to get some message from you one of these days. It seems strange and lonely without the mail but I shall try and keep my mind busy. Love and kisses for Lulu. And once more, As ever your loving husband, Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: Otis W. Holmes, from Milford, Massachusetts, enlisted as a Sergeant at age 27 on September 8, 1861, in the 25th Massachusetts Regiment. He was transferred as a First Lieutenant to Co. F of the 36th Massachusetts on August 12, 1862, and then to Company B of the 36th on May 2, 1863. Holmes died in Harewood General Hospital, Washington, D.C. on June 23, 1864, of wounds received in action near Petersburg, Virginia, on June 17, 1864. NOTE 2: The “Alonzo” Jerome referred to in his letters was Seth Alonzo Ranlett. Ranlett enlisted in Co. B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment as a Private on July 24, 1862, at age 22, and he was from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was promoted to First Sergeant on August 27, 1862, and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on December 1, 1862. On December 17, 1862, he was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment. He was mustered out “on account of physical disability from disease incurred in the service” on February 20, 1864. Ranlett was born on March 18, 1840, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and he died May 21, 1905, in Newton, Massachusetts. Ranlett’s wife was Ellen Peirce Ranlett, with a date of birth of March 22, 1842, and a date of death of January 12, 1914. They were married on January 21, 1864. Ellen Peirce was one of the children of Foster Peirce and his wife Catherine Abby Beaman. Also, Foster Peirce was a brother of Jerome. Therefore, the Ellen that Jerome mentions in his letters was one of Jerome’s nieces, and starting on January 21, 1864, Alonzo was the husband of one of his nieces. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to “My own dear ones”, October 27, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome “My own dear ones” Camp Nelson, KY Description An account of the resource From Jerome to “My own dear ones” 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 1863-10-27 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Paul and Louise Marahrens (transcribers) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource "5.55 X 3.17" - 1st Scan "7.86 X 9.91" - 2nd Scan "7.86 X 9.91" - 3rd 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 #172 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Near Camp Nelson, Ky. Allie Camp Nelson Jerome Peirce KY Lulu My own dear ones https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/866e0e2ae3c8a65b49a353764fce1890.jpg 903f708dc9288c874df268efed3a7f60 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/fb616b39e442bb490d05f48cde92c6a8.jpg 9309c8d8821ffdcab4229303bd366407 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/5537bfbe856e37db8105d943885c3d62.jpg 9b2a66c153e449101baefdb4e3c01116 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 Near Camp Nelson Ky 31st Oct 1863 My dearest wife, Just a word once more before starting. Have had one of our old fashioned storms again. Cold rain, terribly muddy etc. According to military fashion yesterday P.M. took my first lesson as teamster. Helped take care of a six mule team to Camp N[elson] and loaded up for Knoxville. Rained all the time and in spite of rubber blanket got wet through to the skin. Got back after dark etc. etc. Managed to make a bed on top of the barrels and wrapped up and managed to ‘keep cool’ till about 3 o’clk this a.m. when [I] got up and warmed up and dried off and as usual came out all right. Have just returned from the convalescent camp at Camp N[elson] where some of the 36th arrived two days ago. Found none of Co. “H” but some of Co. “B” and others I know. A sad sight but they will get some better after awhile. Some were left at ‘Crab Orchard’ but moved to a better place. They ought to be furloughed and so have a chance to recruit. The mud is still bad but the sun is out and warm again. The talk is that we start this P.M. We may and if not, no doubt, shall be on our way tomorrow. Coffee is preparing for dinner and I can say but a few words today and when I shall have another chance to mail back I can’t tell. We shall get very tired, be out till dark often and I may not have even a chance to write so don’t be worried. I shall take all possible care of myself. Such is the way we soldiers are able to get transportation. If I get safely to the Regt. ‘twill be like home as much as any can [be] away from you. Am feeling perfectly well and hearty and shall have not [a] knapsack to lug and that is much. Can’t hear much news from the Regt. It is said they are towards Chattanooga but little is known I think. I hope we shall meet them at Knoxville. Are you all well? and all the friends? How much I want to see the “old familiar” letters! I hope I shall not fail to see some when I get through. I shall keep a few pieces of paper with me and will send you back something if possible. Share this with the rest with love and regards to friends all remembering Mr. Salloway. What can I say to Lulu? Not a day or hardly an hour passes but you and she are in mind and only such know how earnestly I pray that this war may soon close and reunite us all once more and so once more, with a kiss. Adieu from Your ever loving husband Jerome This is the fourth [letter] since I left you or rather Boston. 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, October 31, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Camp Nelson, 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, 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 1863-10-31 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Ben Raterman (transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource "5.50 X 3.10" - 1st Scan "4.84 X 8.13" - 2nd Scan "9.96 X 8.13" - 3rd 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 #173 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Near Camp Nelson, Ky. Allie Camp Nelson Jerome Peirce KY https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/4ab1c0608782ed668c9f3bd11480746b.jpg af1ac31004ed6764f3e843a66aecadd9 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/dc4e2d0efb6eaee20b2fe6c429fdda71.jpg 5de954a1cbb894980d5a799b398d3edf https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/759458416673bb8407b83332935879e3.jpg 73f285ec993a46dff3f03247adbeffdd https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/54a94d6ec306c544a841d9bab324509b.jpg e19cc028a9f94fb528c293c6d458b662 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 Camp Nelson, Ky. Nov. 1st 1863 My dear family and friends, A warm beautiful Sabbath morning. Am sitting on the grass besides our teams. All in line ready for starting but waiting for the forage train to supply us before leaving. Came down here last eve. without any accident and working everything nicely. Animals becoming more docile and used to it, and their drivers. Made out to read a psalm as I sat here, and my thoughts turn homeward and wondering if it is as pleasant a day with you, and if you are all well and at church? I trust so. Mailed you a letter yesterday. Am feeling excellently well and hope for a safe passage to the Regt. 5 P.M. Started out and went to Lancaster, 14 miles. Muddy, tired and hungry as usual. Supper and to bed, about 11 o’clk such was this Sunday’s work. Monday 2nd Nov. Started out about 8 o’clk. Got along finely and went into park (a halt) about 3 o’clk PM. Warm and pleasant and here I sit upon the ground, waiting for corn for the mules and writing. Evening. Little past 7 o’clk. Have been to the Convalescent Camp nearby and to the hospitals downtown. Found most of them, and all of my own Co. [Company] gaining. Some on duty. Saw Sumner Morse. He is on duty here and doing nicely. You remember Miss Hall that we met at Mr. Phipp’s! Her brother died yesterday, a sad case. The boys have written home. Saw Frank Crafts. He is gaining too. Saw the Chaplain, Mr. Canfield, was very cordial and had a pleasant time and chat with him. Is suffering from chills and fever. Was going to the Regt. or home soon, might have to go to Regt first. He tells us one train is going via Somerset, instead of the route we took by Mt. Vernon etc. The roads are better and nearer. Says our Regt. was at London, Tenn., 30 miles below Knoxville. I and they talked of winter quarters. This must be taken with caution, this “Winter Quarters,” but I do hope I shall find them nearby. There is a rumor here that Col. Goodell is dead from his wounds but hope it is only a rumor. We passed the Col. of the 8th Mich., on his way home. I suppose he brought the item about our location, etc. I am writing by candlelight in the wagon upon barrels, hay, etc. Both the other boys are now writing. If we go to Somerset, I don’t know when I shall mail again, for it is not always a train stop by daylight so long, and I assure you it is busy, tiresome work. I fear ‘tis blowing up another storm. Am feeling in excellent health and trust you are all well, for I can do and endure if you will only keep well, as I have often told you. There is news of success in E. [East] Tennessee by Genl. Hooker and Burnside etc., that we had flanked Bragg, got possession of “Lookout Mountain,” and following Bragg who was retreating etc., etc., etc. All which we can hope is true. We are in a pleasant ground near the village, Crab Orchard, on high ground, and if the Regt. was here, could endure very well for awhile. But I must close. Please tell the friends I am well when you write. I mailed a letter from Camp Nelson on Sat. As ever yours, Jerome Expect to start in the morning. Not quite so wearing as the knapsack, yet. 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 "Family and friends", November 1, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Family and friends Camp Nelson, KY Description An account of the resource From Jerome to "Family and friends" 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 1861-11-01 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Nathan Varnold (trasncriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource "5.41 X 3.17" - 1st Scan "4.96 X 8.20" - 2nd Scan "9.93 X 8.20" - 3rd Scan "4.96 X 8.20" - 4th 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 #174 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Camp Nelson, Ky. Camp Nelson Family and friends Jerome Peirce KY https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/5008ea5a334905c015d3ad4e2dc5975f.jpg 76da935030ba25f3cef82fa3b1a8c54f https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/cdfda9359418f49728031f70904da294.jpg 3454b739ca5377e894f3dce106fda2f2 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/a60feea6b4c79bdc27177efea45716e7.jpg 9bc29119cdfa20da356174686615a724 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 3 o’clk P.M. On the road between Mt. Vernon and Rock Castle Nov. 6th [1863] My dearest wife, A pleasant sunny day and the train is delayed quite awhile so I begin another letter. Had a wet, bad day yesterday from Crab Orchard to near Mt. Vernon. Very muddy and rough roads but got along nicely and safe. ‘Tis quite a thing and not uninteresting to see the big work it takes to supply the army. Vast droves of hogs are driven to Knoxville, one is near us now and then we meet returning trains from the front. News is that London, Tenn., is occupied by the Rebs and our forces are a few miles this side. Shackleford (the captor of Morgan) is driven back from So. West Virginia etc., etc. We are approaching again the place where I left the Regt. and the wilderness begins to look familiar. Came to camp about dark yesterday but it looks doubtful this time for we must go to Rock Castle River about five miles. Had a little leisure at C. O. about which I wrote you. Start. It is Sat Morning, 7th. Pleasant and warm. At a halt on a hill again. Got to camp late last eve. Bad hills and worse roads, mud. Barely escaped a capsize. Broke a chain but was helped into camp. Riding this morning, writing on the wagon seat. News from Knoxville this morning. Our regiment there, hope to 8th [November]. Sunday M[orning] 8th. Delayed again by hills. Camped after dark last eve. Passed “Wild Cat.” Rough and dangerous in the extreme but came in all right. Stopping at our old Camp “Hazel Hatch.” Chilly. A body of prisoners passing, Grey backs as usual. Monday Morn at London [Changed. See postmark.] Dear Allie, ‘Twas talked that we should remain here a day or two but ‘tis uncertain and so I prepare it for the mail. Have got along nicely and am perfectly well and hearty. Weather, cold morning and eve but pleasant daytimes. We see some rough times and characters as all sorts of fellows are in the train, but we keep along well, and I hope soon to see the Regt. The guards with the prisoners yesterday say that Burnside is all right and that Rosecrans’ men have gained a victory over the Rebs etc., etc. I need not tell you how my thoughts are with you and how eagerly I wait for letters but I feel all will be well. My love to each and all. I cannot write to them separately at present. How are Abbie’s eyes? Remember me to Will C. and his folks. Shall write Mr. C. some time. Send me his address as I have forgotten it. Wm. C. I think. A kiss for Lulu and ever your Affec[tionate] husband Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE (Josef Rokus) Although the year that this letter was written is not indicated, based on the location where it was written and the notations on the envelope, the year was definitely 1863. Original Format The type of object, such as painting, sculpture, paper, photo, and additional data Letter/Paper Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource From Jerome to Allie, November 6 - 7, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Mt. Vernon , KY Rock Castle, 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, 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 1863-11-6 1863-11-7 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Nathan Varnold (transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource "5.55 X 3.15" - 1st Scan "4.98 X 7.86" - 2nd Scan "9.98 X 7.86" - 3rd 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 #175 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant On the road between Mt. Vernon and Rock Castle, KY. Allie Jerome Peirce KY Mt. Vernon Rock Castle https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3955f30f855998c20fbf5f0b4571275f.jpg ce0dfbb144fd42ea6a623849d6acfbba https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/a7b19c4f50bd2db74bd5a074f6413396.jpg c18d308ff02f6d806c7dd2b9d004aa3c https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/9d9d2a5783497dc47832570fcc5ca742.jpg 84ac7daf0bd8baa547d19124d0eeba8b https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/582e8f631d64944e02cc4430a60b4321.jpg 0de819877abe010c1d6957c23fe3b6d7 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 Cumberland Gap, Ky. 15 Nov. 1863 My Ever Dear Wife, In hopes I may find some means of sending this, I scribble a few lines. Since my last [letter] mailed at London, we have moved on nicely, fair weather and more tolerable roads. Camped at Barboursville, a pretty spot encircled by hills, but the village has the same dull (but for the war movements) and lazy look of all the towns. There I mailed a letter to Foster’s and Joseph’s folks. Since leaving B. I have been repaid for much that is tedious and uncongenialing, the grand scenery. As you approach “Cumberland Ford” the hills are towering rocky and grand, and with the autumnal garb, present in solemn and shady look varied by the sunlight and altogether a feast of scenery not to be forgotten. The Cumberland River is about the size (in width) of the Concord [River] at B. [Billerica], perhaps not quite as wide, and in most places the hills shut close down to its banks just leaving room for the road which is rocky and in many places dangerous but so far we’ve come on without loss of a wagon or animal, the accidents being nearly all confined to a few citizens who drive a few of the teams and have 30 dollars per month, such as tipping over etc. and of course we consider ourselves pretty good teamsters. Yesterday it rained furiously and I was in the saddle and got wet, this notwithstanding my rubber blanket which is a poor thing, but as good fortune would have it (and it seems never to desert me) the train was ordered to park at the Gap as the roads are full on the other side, beside some rebel bands and said to be disturbing things a little. Today it is cloudy and damp but does not rain. Have just had dinner of bean soup, which was made good and together with a nice cup of coffee made by myself, relished “hugely”. And here let me tell you that I’m hearty and well, exceedingly, as I always am when moving, and the mountain air agrees with me muchly. Don’t know when we shall reach the Regt. Can you think how strange it seems not to hear from the friends at home? The “pack mules” with the mail have passed us both ways several times and I thought now there are missives for me in some of them! But I feel as though you were all quite well and the good “right arm” still protected you in home quietude if it does me in these strange wanderings. Can you look on the map and imagine what the “Gap” is? A rugged towering height with a huge rock on the left, on the very top (about the height of Tully at O. [Orange], the rock like a man’s nose and like this while the lower hills represent a lower range nearer to us, and just below these, the road (the dotted line) begins the ascent. The “Gap” is between the ‘nose’ and the outlines on the right, and is about a mile and a half from us, altho it does not look half that. At different places on the hills about are fortifications and troops on the other side. A little ways back we came upon a school house and quite a group of little folks and exceedingly pretty and intelligent. ‘Twas recess and they came out to see us (as we were delayed a few moments), kept by a “man from down the river a piece.” Geography, grammar, arithmetic, spelling and writing and was the most promising scene since coming into ‘Kentuck’ and made amends somewhat for the ruins of homes along the road, fruits of rebel raids. Forage is scarce and today (this A.M.) we’ve been putting the mules out to browse among the coarse brake, withered grass, etc. Tell Joe I expect to know more about harnessing horses and have a faint idea what his trips to market are! And I think I have the advantage a little in schooling on rough roads and he can imagine me driving six mules team across the hills at the Gap over a road that would call a “Town Meeting” “right quick” in N.E. [New England]. “Life in an Army Wagon” has its novelties, and we are sure of a tent if the mules don’t eat it up and there we light our candle and find a moment to read mail and eat also and write and think of home, which is the dear ray of sunshine throwing its cheerful light clear into the future. I gathered once more a few leaves at “Cumberland Ford,” which I enclose. ‘Tis a tedious climb, and [there are] guards about or I would “essay” a trip to the top and see the rock where the three states notch, but I forbear, contented with the sight alone. Suppose you have all been to the old church and heard the word while I can only read and I have found time to do so and enjoy more and more! I got me a small cheap Bible at the Society Rooms in Boston and am reading the Prophet Isaiah. Well, have I not been chatty this time? May this find you all well. Love abundantly to each and all, and as ever your loving Jerome A kiss for Lu [Lulu] always. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE (Josef Rokus) As alluded to in the text, the letter includes a small, rough sketch of Cumberland Gap and the road he describes. Because the text and the sketch are intertwined, the sketch is not included in this transcription. 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, November 15, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Cumberland Gap, 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, 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 1863-11-15 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Nathan Varnold (transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource "5.34 X 3.12" - 1st Scan "4.96 X 8.17" - 2nd Scan "9.98 X 8.17" - 3rd Scan "4.96 X 8.17" - 4th 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 #176 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Cumberland Gap, KY. Allie Cumberland Gap Jerome Peirce KY https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/84154a5f95e0b15f5665a6d85130f502.jpg 49b2bd81aa3bb03e749deb783a615942 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/595fdaf9ac7904338f219e5ebfe0c0b5.jpg cea5ea217661c30b5413c911fae38a07 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/970da2123d0a12a2d738d11dc0732337.jpg 86a34492c416e147a25a046b71a9ae8e https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/dd1110553367e9872abee09b4d566768.jpg cdaf9f3c6750d7082c09b62acdf7cec0 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 “Cumberland Gap”, Ky 19 Nov 1863 Once more my dear ones I send a few words from the wagon. Time drags slowly away and still I don’t’ see the Regt. or hear from home. A month tomorrow since I left you. I wrote you how we arrived here Sat. [Saturday] noon last in the middle of rain, etc. and so we remained till yesterday morning when we went to the top of the Gap and unloaded our rations. A wild rough climb I assure you. A winding rocky road hundreds of feet above the valley to a little level place where the commissary stores are kept. A good deal of stir is manifest here, rumors of fighting at Knoxville, Burnside falling back etc., etc. and they are fortifying the heights in addition to what is already there and yesterday they are sending to the top a small rifle battery. Col. Bowman is here [as] Chief of Artillery. Spoke with him several times. Signal lights by night etc., etc. and things look ominous but all may still be well. None of us can get beyond the Gap at present, so I don’t know when I shall see the Regt. and yet I cannot say that you can send letters here yet. Saw Lieut. Hodgkins too (with Co. [Company] B). He said Alonzo was on a 30 day furlough (met him in Worcester). Should return at the expiration of that time. I am in hopes to see him and get letters by him if perchance I cannot get to the Regt. Time hangs rather heavy but I make the best of it. I am reading over occasionally your last letter to me at Long Island, the only one I have, and a little ‘Cowper’ (I found in Cincinnati) and I should suffer if it were not for them. Expect my term of service as mule driver is about up as we shall probably report “upstairs” (at the Gap) soon and await our chances to go forward. ‘Tis a grand place for scenery, hills on hills accumulate. Went to the top of the highest points yesterday where the pieces of cannon are planted and I saw away down into “Dixie” towards Tenn., Virg. and Kentucky, behind us an ocean of mountains with the “Cumberland” range looming up above the rest, while the winding roads up the peaks immediately about us looked more like pictures I have seen of “Gibraltar” as indeed it is. Hear no definite news, only what some stray citizen or officer may report and they don’t agree very well. I hope Burnside will not have to fall back here. If we lose possession of E. [East] Tenn. the people will have much to answer for in not better sustaining by reinforcements promptly. There are rumors that the main body of Lee’s Army is coming this way and that they are making desperate efforts to drive us out entirely, etc. but time alone can decide. But I gladly and often turn to you at home and imagine you all so busy and I trust well. I suppose it is beginning to look “coldish” with you. ‘Tis not very cold here but chilly, just a few flakes of snow the other day which just silvered over and gave a beautiful touch to the lofty hills behind us. But rain and mud and the elements here at present, and then it will come out sunny and warm as it is this morning. Have been cleaning up my gun and unpacking my things a little this morning in prospect of a change. Whittled out a finger ring of laurel root, much in vogue for pipes, rings, etc. among the boys. Looks like birds eye maple and is pretty and tough. ‘Tis large, something like this, (for the little finger.) Do you think it becoming? My wagon mates are gone and I am all alone in the wagon among malt or rather empty corn sacks, bags of oats, guns, blankets, etc., etc. and the general “litter” of an almost empty army wagon, with my open knapsack close by my side while lots of wagons and still more of mules having had their breakfast and still and dozy, and such is life just now, and so the days go by that bring my term of service a little nearer its close. Forgot to mention my birthday. Did you think of it? Was at Barboursville, Ky 30 miles back where we stopped for a day and got some forage, corn. We see a little of the people about here. They are principally women on horseback with corn bread to sell or perhaps a few apples, and poor at that. Have not purchased much. Army rations still holding out. How does Lulu ‘come on’ with her learning and lessons? How much I want to hear from you but I know ‘tis not your fault but “all is well.” I hope and I can at least write to you and you must share in a measure with the rest, for paper is scarce here, so I cannot write each separately. Love to all. Am in good health. Accept once more the best love of your husband Jerome The mail was stopped here the other day for the present but I don’t expect it is allowed to be opened. [???] will send to the Regt. for the present. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: 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 2: A small sketch of the ring mentioned in the letter is include in the letter. 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 "My dear ones", November 19, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome My dear ones Allie Lulu Cumberland Gap, 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, 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 1863-11-19 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Nathan Varnold (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). 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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 Cumberland Gap. Nov 24th, 1863 Dear ones at home, Still in exile. Since my last we have been detailed, that is a squad which did not go back with the teams, comprising men from Mass., Mich., Ills., Penn. to serve as guard on the highest point of the Gap in Battery “A”. And last Friday we came up here [to] an isolated place I assure you, but we can’t get to the Regt. at present owing to obstructions and dangers by the way and we can get a little something to eat, plenty of firewood and a sort of shelter, and being in good health I expect we ought not to complain. But I sadly miss my letters from home and feel like an outcast but still there is seen here some compensation, the fine, grand studies of autumn among the Cumberland mountains. This morning from 3 o’clk stood guard and saw daybreak among the hills but it soon clouded up and now is raining some which it does in this season, dreary every other day. You can imagine us on the top of the mountain, tho back a little in sort of a hollow, with our earthworks a few rods above us with a single piece of cannon. We (21 of us) do duty by turns at night, only on a road where they have feared the approach of rebs more of “scare” than else. I think all around us on the hillsides and everywhere lay the fallen trees forming a wild, desolate appearance like a pioneer settlement and so we imagine ourselves. We three (Carter of the 36th and a Sergt. Perry of Ills. [Illinois] tent together) form a good trio and manage to live as happily as possible. Carter is cook. We draw flour and fresh meat, the former we mix up in salt and water and succeed in making tolerable flitters. And so we [are] “roughing it in the bush” patiently waiting for the time when we can go to the Regt. Took a nap this morning but the boys all round are preparing firewood and preparing for dinner and so I thought I would at least begin a letter. Wedns. morning – I quit [writing the letter] yesterday in the midst of fog and drizzle. This morning cold and windy and not quite clear. Have just finished breakfast of flitters, pork (fried) with broth for gravy and coffee good enough for a genl. Have just cut down a little oak with my hatchet and as one of the men is going down to the Gap P.O. [Post Office] I finished this. Of course, as I have often said I cannot give you much of a letter. We are in a real wilderness and feel more like prisoners than soldiers but the glorious health which I feel makes up for much. We have to “lug” our rations for about a mile thro [through] the woods up and down hills, over rocks, like climbing Tully. Collect firewood etc., etc., which keeps us busy. I manage to read a little. (Heaven bless books!) Yesterday finished the book of Isaiah. Some beautiful chapters and here among nature’s grandeur and quietness. I find a new zest and beauty in scripture. I try and read a little each day of different parts, say the Prophets, Proverbs, Psalms and New Testament and with some of Cowper. I hope my hours in the wilds are not in vain. My thoughts are much with those at home, but you must write them, for stationery and all such things are scarce and I am ignorant when we can go forward, so I have to write little. Have not written to anyone but you lately and cannot. Shall get some paper today if possible. The “hardest” part of one company went back to Camp Nelson with the teams, so those remaining are good company. Seven are from the 21st Mass. Have not seen Col B. [Bowman] since the day we came up here. He is going to take command of the Regt. again, I am told with a “star.” (Brigadier) in view I expect. But how do you all? How much I wish I could even hear from you and still more see you? I ask so often. Are you well? If so, I am content. Time passes rapidly and one half of my term is almost expired. I must close as they are going to the [post] office. So accept so much love for you all. Adieu and as ever, your loving husband, brother, etc. Jerome TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: “Flitters” is probably a word used at the time to describe what are now called “fritters.” A fritter is a fried food, usually consisting of a portion of batter or breading, which has been filled with bits of meat, seafood, fruit, vegetables or other ingredients. NOTE 2: 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. 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 "My dear ones at home", November 24, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Dear ones at home Allie Lulu Cumberland Gap, KY. Description An account of the resource From Jerome to "My dear ones" 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 1863-11-24 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Nathan Varnold (transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource "4.98 X 7.86" - 1st Scan "9.98 X 7.86" - 2nd Scan "4.98 X 7.86" - 3rd 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 #178 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Cumberland Gap, KY. Allie Cumberland Gap Dear ones at home Jerome Peirce KY Lulu https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/667428785a2a51919459316087569bdb.jpg 959adda5a31a01ed93474be08c3cec26 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/3ce554c33bf74666e9a18d83ca012f28.jpg 99a04618e84f69a9a4e693a11b79f1f5 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/860cf03f1a1145743d23b85ee8fb9c87.jpg 233b4393a01cb9488788da58a74270d9 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 Cumberland Gap, Ky 28th Nov/63 Dear Friends all, If you could just look in upon us you would see a little of the shady side of the soldier’s life. Sat morning. Have just had thunder and lightning and it is raining, dull and steady. No breakfast as yet, too wet to get a fire started, etc. I mailed you a letter last in Barboursville, Ky about two weeks ago. We were there plodding along with the teams until we arrived at the “Gap” same day forenoon the 25th amid a rain storm. I mounted on a mule. On reaching the “Gap” everything was at a stand-still. Rebels in front. Burnside at there at Knoxville. So, for us, we could leave. Things still remain the same. News from the front kept secret and all who chance to be going to their Regts., officers, mail and all, are detained here for the present. A week ago yesterday our party, those I came with, consisting of seven of the 21st Mass., some from Ills., Michgn., Ind. and Penn., convalescents from Camp Nelson, broke up, some returned with the teams and the rest were put on duty here. The 21st men, with the one of 36th that came back with me (Carter, Co. “A” of Lancaster and 12 others) are all attached to Battery “A” on the highest point of the “Gap” Ky. side. We have pitched our tents and are making ourselves as comfortable as we can on half rations and small houses. It rains often, as the winter comes on, but we are in the woods with any amount of firewood and leaves and we manage to keep quite comfortable. There is a “scare” here and artillery is planted at every available point and small detachments to tend them and pickets in the nights. As good fortune will have it, Col. Bowman of “ours” is here [as] Chief of Artillery and is very kind and sociable as opportunity offers and as we go to the “Gap” every few days to draw rations, I see him. He, like all the rest, are for Knoxville when the way is opened. Lieut. Hodgkins is here today (36th) and has charge of the mail and by his kindness I received yesterday letters from wife and yours of the 8th Nov., the first news since I left home. He searched the mail and took them out. More are somewhere and shall get them now if possible. News by letters is disappointed. Allie speaks as tho there had been a big battle somewhere. We see no papers and know nothing what is going on, only that Andrew is Gov. [Governor] again, New York Republican etc., etc. A rumor here says that the Rebs have left Virginia altogether and will concentrate hereabouts, that Meade’s Army is on the way here. This latter item came by a letter recd. by one of the soldiers here from Cincinnati, that part of his forces were there in C. [Cincinnati] etc., etc., etc. Let me thank you for your letter and also for attending to Allie, sending her aid, etc. and selling the stove. I was anxious to get to Regt. in hopes if would be to my advantage pecuniaryly. I have served to the best of my ability since I came out and my family write to say nothing more require that I make the most of my life here and if I can get a lift I intend to the first chance (This to you friends). Drafting! Yes, and business excellent and commanding good pay etc. If the country is really to be forgotten and men dragged by the “neck and heels” into the field, what are those to think who are in the field with the enormous sum of $100 or $125 bounty behind them? (I understand bounties are high). The real sacrifices and true motives of some of us will be appreciated sometime I trust and for you and others, kindness to my family. Well, I can only try and do my part. Allie does not feel indifferent because she does not visit O. [Orange]. She could enjoy it but the truth is she don’t feel to afford it and does not like others to be at expense for her. Please don’t let her know this but that with the fact she works hard, and I wish my term of service was up for her sake. But one must hope for the best and struggle on till we have help or “go under” and God save us from that. Give my best regards to all friends even the senator-elect, if you see him. Good for him! (A. A. Ward). Nothing reliable from the Regt. Have not written and I did not think letters could go thru. As ever Bro. [Brother] Jerome Am glad to hear from the Ballous. A mistake giving him up, I think. Heard that Boyden was discharged, etc. Where are those left at Camp Dennison, Ohio? TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE (Josef Rokus) Rev. Levi Ballou gave the sermon at the funeral service sermon held for Jerome 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 Allie had shared with him in that sermon. 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 “Dear friends all", November 28, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Dear friends all Cumberland Gap, KY Description An account of the resource From Jerome to “Dear friends all" 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 1863-11-28 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Nathan Varnold (trasncriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource "5.00 X 8.01" - 1st Scan "10.01 X 8.01" - 2nd Scan "5.00 X 8.01" - 3rd 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 #179 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Cumberland Gap, KY Cumberland Gap Dear friends all Jerome Peirce KY https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/495496155f81eda4b5063876538b472e.jpg a432bf40ae0641332148a56e7a5b17a9 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/52a777b5d400a138481dd322a97561c0.jpg 3ee27248b4d4d2e75e683a6ac8f65916 https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/87695443dd4be6d2eb602993e1b983a3.jpg 001f0c7d17f3b374eb87e1732ef50955 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 Cumberland Gap, Ky, Nov. 28/63 My ever Dear Wife and little one, Sabbath morning among the Cumberland mountains! Snow falling fast. The hillsides covered with hoar frost and snow. Front of the tent open and a good cheerful fire before it. Have just had a good wash and changed some of my clothing. Home like (Breakfast over cup of coffee and a small piece of bread, on quarter rations) and now to the first duty of a message to you, my dear ones far away! How shall I express my joy of receiving on Friday letter from home? Lieut. Hodgkins opens the mail here and found three for me. Yours of the 8th, and 16th Nov., with Frank’s and Mary’s enclosed after more than a month’s lack of such among these wild hills. How do you think it seemed? Did I love you any the less think you? Could you know how in the silent hours of the night (as you do) or where on the lonely beat on picket, the dear images come and flit before me. You would not ask. These are busy days, Allie, but you are never out of heart or mind and would for you take as well as for my own longings. [???] cruel war was over and I could clasp you to my heart and share the joys of home again. Do not, I pray, think me unloving. I know I am cold in measures but not lacking in affection. Have I not written often ever since I have been away! There is something in my situation with all the privations that is wild [???] and poetical and answering to a corresponding vein in my nature, and which I did not realize till the experience came and which makes it impossible for me to be gloomy or what the world calls “Homesick.” Such grand and changing scenes – summer amid those deep, sylvan ravines of Mississippi with the magnolias and hanging moss and now winter comes amid the lofty, grand and billowy “Cumberland Range” with authentic tints and silvery garb all fills my soul with such a sense of the great Creator and added to this the busy work of attending to our actual wants, bodily, that I cannot but feel that I am in a school from which I shall one day come forth, better able to appreciate the charms and joys of home. Think how I have been spared in health and escaped, manifold dangers, with no design of my own! And yet I am not unmindful of your struggles and longings. Oh no, but how can I assist you more than by doing my duty, and earning my way to something better by and by. You ask me if I was glad or sorry to leave so abruptly for the Regt? Ah, Allie, I did feel it most keenly but why [???]? Such was my lot, and I could but go forward believing all for the best. But enough of this. We have been “moving”! I sometimes wish you could look in upon us! A few days ago we move one tent down the hill further move out the wind, built up about 30 inches with logs, and there set out cloth upon it, filled in with leaves, and with blankets, coats, etc. We are quite comfortable and have good room. If we remain here long shall build a fireplace and then shall be better fixed than at Falmouth last winter. But we hope the way will ere long be opened to the Regt. altho there is little prospect now. Officers and men from home on their way back keep coming in and have to ‘haul up’ home. I see Col. Bowman quite often. ‘Tis about four miles to Headquarters, on the flat, “or hollow” at the Gap where there are one or two good sized houses and log barracks for officers and men. The mountain cliff behind where we camp is the highest, a crude sketch of which I gave you in my first letter from here, and is about 18 hundred feet above the “flat” below. If I was on artist, there would be an ample field to work. The finest view is in the “flat” looking north, a little east, a perfect wall of rock with two roads winding around to the left thru the Gap and to the right around the cliff. But I cannot describe it, far and wide on every hand, of the three states, (marked by a square stone post at the Gap, with the names of governors of each, etc.) are the mountains as far as the eye can reach. And here I would gladly – oh how gladly with honor – close my duties as a soldier and come to you. But you could not see me do a dishonorable thing, so I must make the best of what remains and both must possess hope and patience yet awhile longer. You and Frank speak of sad news of wounded friends, of battles etc. What has been going on? We have had no papers or definite news since leaving Camp Nelson! Saw a paper yesterday of the 23rd. It looked like work again on the Potomac. Banks was at it in Texas. Burnside all right in Tenn. etc. If the people would only come up and clinch the late elections by another host of volunteers, how soon might the thing be ended! Is all patriotism died out, and are we to sink unsupported? I hope not – still. A large body of E. Tennesseans came here the other day for clothing to take the place of their tattered and “rebish” looking apparel. One man told me every one capable of bearing arms was or soon would be in the field with Burnside, had to be supplied with everything etc. We have a story, (by letter from Cincinnati) that Lee had abandoned Virginia, and was in Tenn. and that Meade’s Army was following, and part were there in Cin. [Cincinnati], etc., but we know nothing for certain. Am glad Alonzo is having such good time, hope to see him by and by. He can’t get beyond here at present. Saw the paymaster and inquired about pay. Said I must be paid from the Muster Roll and not from Descriptive List, that I might be paid at Knoxville etc. I hope so. Am very glad of the sale of the stove. Got a nice letter from Mary. Spoke of it and said they should send the money (for the stove) soon. I have written them. Hope to be able to send you more by and by. Am making what little I have go far. Should have suffered if I had not had a little. Found an extra pair of shoes on the road quite good ones, making three pairs, and with my extra pants. (I bought a new pair of shoes at Barboursville for fear I could not draw any) and as I don’t have to march everything is working well even if food is scarce. We expect to draw corn today. Have only two meals a day but those in front are still worse off. So, you see a little what I am enjoying now. But the sun is coming out and I must take a walk and mail this, and by and by I hope to read a little from the Good Vol. Am reading “Jerimiah” and find a new beauty and meaning and scripture. My love of the poetic and beautiful seems to intensify as I need it. Will you or Abbie, any of you girls that have a few moments to spare, copy off the first paragraph of Keats “Endymion”? (Closing at the top of the second page I believe) ‘Tis a beautiful thing and has a meaning here. Am glad to hear of [???] Lee again and a relative of Capt. S.! His romance reminds me of and explains a certain ‘tone’ I have observed. Have we not, all of us, our tales? Am glad of the present of the carpet, a great addition, wish I could see it too, but my hope is large. Shall hope soon to have many letters from home and friends. Have written many [letters] since I left you and so they are due me. None like those from P.V. [Pleasant Valley] Love and thanks to Frank and Mary, also to Will and Hattie, all joy and happiness to them and may we all meet yet again at the old hearthstone. I am afraid I have forgotten much but don’t forget a kiss and to Lulu for her little note. The rosebud is in my Testament and shall be kept. I sent you a little piece “Outward Bound.” I thought it beautiful. Send me little scraps. They “help” wonderfully in these wilds. Always remember [me] to Father and Mother, etc. Your loving Jerome Hope Lulu will know sometime why Papie is away from her. Shall be glad to hear from Mr. Galloway. Hope he is well. Do you have two Thanksgivings in Mass.? Busy ‘fixing’ here last Thursday! 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, November 28, 1863 Subject The topic of the resource Peirce, Jerome Allie Lulu Cumberland Gap, KY Description An account of the resource From Jerome to Allie and Lulu Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Jerome Peirce Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 1863-11-28 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Nathan Varnold (transcriber) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource "5.03 X 8.15" - 1st Scan "9.98 X 8.15" - 2nd Scan "5.03 X 8.15" - 3rd 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 #180 Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Cumberland Gap, KY Allie Cumberland Gap Jerome Peirce KY Lulu https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/aaca131a53e7318795578dbaad439ab6.jpg c4cd9d5d24d11bfac677bb793f1df2fb https://peirceletters.umwhistory.org/files/original/8e94ff512a309698555d49c9ec95f23e.jpg f35199e10aa5b4891366459a17f53ee3 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 Billerica Nov. 29th, 1863 My ever dear husband, Again it is Sunday eve. and I am seated at your writing desk to hold a little converse [conversation] with you. Did you think when you got the desk that your wife would write so many letters upon it and send them to you in the Army? How little one knows what is before them and is it not well? I remember very well when I wrote the first letter upon this. My heart was so happy. I look around upon our little home at Peyron Place and saw the comfort we were surrounded with and felt that I was truly blessed. Could I have then looked forward six short years and seen the change, my heart would have been saddened, would not yours? And this turns my thoughts back to the time I first met you all the way through the first time I saw you at Sunday School, the boys around you, the smiles you had for them, and then you coming in the shop with Charles, the call with Albert, your first visit at Billerica to see Daniel Preston’s family, my visit to Charlestown, going to lecture with and the invitation given at Mr. Pratt’s, your call at Aunt Zaschiek’s, the Sunday eve. at Wymans, the letter that was waiting my arrival home, your first visit here, your staying at the depot one night, my being introduced to your friends, [???] sickness and death, our fixing up our little home, our wedding, the arrival home, Mary’s first fortnight with us, our being left alone in the quietness of our little home, our first visit home, the first Thanksgiving and Christmas at home (at [???]) and so on to the birth of our little boy, our disappointment, my summer at home, George and Inez being with us, Inez being married, my summer at home in the pleasant shade of summer under the old trees, our quiet days at home, Hannah S. coming on from Ohio, our quiet Thanksgiving at home, Mary Eliza being with us, the Christmas present of our little girl, our packing up and moving to Orange, our life there although much was unpleasant there, was much that was pleasant, the war, you enlisting, my stay at Worcester, my visit at Boston and Orange, settling here for the winter, your coming home after a year’s absence, your return. All this rushes into mind faster than I can pen it down. My dear husband, I hope your married life was not unpleasant to you, it certainly has been very far from that to me. When I look through all this and think how much has transpired in the time we first met, what will be the coming years? I dare not look into the future but I live on from day to day thinking “one day nearer to God and thee”. Our lives here are but short and I feel that those days ought to be spent together. Jerome, our being separated these years will be a lifelong lesson, will it not? I hope you will come home soon, and that our home may be reopened and our happy days continued, and surely if we keep on pushing the Rebs, we shall soon have them all in our control. We have had glorious news lately, and is it wrong when I think I am glad my own dear husband is not in this battle? We hear Grant is having victories. Meade is pushing Lee, has him out of his entrenchments. We have taken C. I dare not tell how many prisoners, all of which my heart swells with joy. We are having spirited war meetings here and some are enlisting. Among the first was Edward Adams. He made the most spirited speech and enrolled his name. Last night he called a meeting and was to speak. Capt. Ranlett and Alonzo were there. Capt. R. was president. Alonzo spoke but no Edward appeared, has caused much talk. There is to be another one tomorrow eve. Branle wants to go but the folks are feeling so bad that I hardly think he will. I stayed at home from church this morning. Went this afternoon and I took Lulu. She did better than I expected. She wanted me to tell you of it. I received the letter written at Cumberland Gap Friday and truly glad was I to get it. It was a nice letter. Last Sunday after writing your letter Branle and I went down to Mr. Whitfords and Mr. Deans. I did the washing as mother was busy with butter. Tuesday I cleaned my chamber, wish you could see it and cleaned tins. Hattie went to Chelsea. Wednesday it rained. Had a letter from Ellen. She wants me to go and sew for her as she expects to be married this winter. I guess Alonzo will not go back to the regiment. Thursday was Thanksgiving day. I cooked the dinner so Mother went to church. In the afternoon Mr. Salloway called. He had a splendid sermon. He gave me his photograph. Only think, one more Thanksgiving and then you will come home. I am counting the months, shall soon begin to count the weeks. Friday I sewed upon Lulu’s clothes to get her ready to go to Boston. I forgot Thanksgiving. Dr. H. and wife called and Mary Eliza with two young men spent the evening. Saturday it stormed all day. We heard the bells in Lowell and guns from Lowell and Boston. Hope it was good news. Tell Joseph H. that I got his letter and will answer soon. I shall go to Boston Wednesday, weather permitting. Love to brother Benj. My love to Henry Nelson and Mr. Stevens. Love and a kiss from your own little Wife Allie. Keep this. It done me good to read it. TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus) NOTE 1: 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 2: The “Joseph H.” that Allie 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. 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, November 29, 1863 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 Pierce 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 1863-11-29 Contributor An entity responsible for making contributions to the resource NPS, Civil War Study Group, Paul and Louise Marahrens, Nathan Varnold (transcribers) Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904). Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource "5.03 X 8.03" - 1st Scan "10.05 X 8.03" - 2nd Scan "5.03 X 8.03" - 3rd 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 #181 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 Jerome Peirce MA