From Jerome to Allie, August 20, 1863

From Jerome to Allie, August 20, 1863

Peirce, Jerome

Allie

Nicholasville, KY.

From Jerome to Allie

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1863-08-20

NPS, Civil War Study Group, Paul and Louise Marahrens (transcribers)

For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904).

"6.75 X 4.5" - 1st Scan
"5 X 7.25" - 2nd Scan
"8.6 X 7.3" - 3rd Scan
(JPG)

English

Text

Letter #152

Nicholasville, KY

Aug 20th 1863
Just a word dear Allie as J.H. [Joseph H. Peirce] has written you and he has told you of our doings today, dinner etc. Hope you will get my letter written yesterday enclosing a check. We recvd. 26 dollars and hope to [receive] more soon. So far from home, I felt I must keep a little by me. You will not need to send me stationery, without it is a sheet of paper once in a good while, but not even then. Only when we’re on the move, then it is we get short of such things. Have [an] abundance of stationery and means for the present, so make the most of what you have.
Another big back mail came last eve., two letters from you, making all right, two from Abbie, one from Will (from Worcester), from Henry Perrie, etc., all back letters. Hope to get something this eve.
Saw Ben E. [Edmands] this morning. [His] wife [is] stopping at a house nearby. Of course, he is very happy and they both wish how much that you too could be here. She remembers you distinctly and wishes a further acquaintance. [She] talks enthusiastically [about] how you and she can go to Chicopee, Mass. and set up dressmaking and millinery, thinks you’re “cut” right for the latter. Well, so we talk. Have not seen her yet but expect to by and by.
Of course, I have no news since yesterday. Our camp is beautiful, and weather fine, and we [are] resting and enjoying all we can out of this release of the harder duties of war.
Have been reading over the papers, and seeing who escapes the draft etc. but some are coming and all accounts agree that Lee’s Army is demoralized and dwindling away, and Charleston must come down sometime, as did Vicksburg.
Have just been stitching a leather belt for the Acting 2nd Lieut. (Woodward) and our cooking has engaged our attention a good deal, so I am not prepared for a long letter, but this is so “little and cunning” like the one who receives it, that it will answer, will it not? It is large enough to tell you that I am well, and growing better, fast recovering from the sad work in Missi[ssippi].
If I could only just peep in and see you all (and stay awhile!)
But the mail is closing. Write often, write all.
A kiss for Lulu and anything for yourself from your loving
Jerome

P.S. J.H. is mixing up some “flitters” for supper. “Call in”.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus)

NOTE 1: 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 2: 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 3: Ironically, based on census information, Allie became a seamstress after Jerome was killed to support herself and Lulu. She never remarried.

NOTE 4: Acting Second Lieutenant Woodward was Hiram C. Woodward. He enlisted at a relatively old age of 40 on July 31, 1862, from Orange, Massachusetts, and served in Co. H of the 36th Massachusetts Regiment, as did Jerome. He died on August 10, 1863, at Camp Dennison, Ohio, just a few days after Jerome wrote this letter. He had been assigned temporarily not long before with Jerome to work in the small smallpox hospital at an earlier camp. The “hospital” consisted of a regular tent physically located some distance away from the main camp to help minimize the spread of infection.

NOTE 5: “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.

Letter/Paper