From Jerome to Allie, December 16, 1862
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to Allie, December 16, 1862
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Allie
Falmouth, VA
Description
From Jerome to Allie
Creator
Jerome Peirce
Source
Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service
Publisher
HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Date
1862-12-16
Contributor
NPS, Civil War Study Group, Donald Pfanz (Transcriber)
Rights
For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904).
Format
6.15 X 9.10-1st File
6.15 X 9.10-2nd Scan
jpg
6.15 X 9.10-2nd Scan
jpg
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #49
Coverage
Falmouth VA
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
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
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
Letter
Files
Collection
Reference
Jerome Peirce 1862, From Jerome to Allie, December 16, 1862, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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