From Jerome to "Friends all", April 19, 1863
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to "Friends all", April 19, 1863
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Friends all
Camp Dick Robinson
Bryantsville, KY.
Description
From Jerome to "Friends all"
Creator
Jerome Peirce
Source
Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service
Publisher
HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Date
1863-04-19
Contributor
NPS, Civil War Study Group, Ben Raterman (Transcriber)
Rights
For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904).
Format
5.75 X 7.75
10.75 X 8.65
5.5 X 8.5
Jpg
10.75 X 8.65
5.5 X 8.5
Jpg
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #105
Coverage
Camp Dick Robinson near Bryantsville, KY.
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
LETTER TRANSCRIPTION
Camp “Dick Robinson” Ky
Sabbath [April] 19th 1863
Dear friends all,
It is a rainy day and in the morning I expected to have a quiet day with a few lines to dear ones at home, but somewhat confused so far and I fear you will have a poor affair but now that Allie is not with you felt I must send you a line if nothing more, with my love and a kiss to my little Lulu.
Everything is moving along as usual in camp. The signs of an advance but still waiting among the big trees for weeks.
Received your and Mother’s letter in due time for which I expressed my thanks in one of Allie’s letters. I suppose you send hers to her.
I was sorry that she thought it best to leave you and had hoped a year would unite us again and she could keep together that time but I suppose all is for the best.
Have been very well and have recovered from the effects of the late march.
The weather is becoming hot and we are lessening our clothing considerably. Have had but little to do thus far but ‘rest up’ and that we have done as much as possible.
Last Thurs. P.M. had a pass out of camp and took a three hour stroll. A delightful time. ‘Tis a fine country about here and some beautiful scenery on the Kentucky or a tributary. Found a few flowers. Have sent Allie some. Will find some more perhaps.
There are about 2500 troops in this immediate neighborhood and a great many more ahead of us but when we shall move I cannot divine.
Our camp is very pleasant and the grass is out finely and the birds “make melody” all the day.
Yesterday P.M. a large coach full of ladies from the Danville Institute with their teacher paid us a visit and quite a sensation was the consequence. The officers were very gallant. There were some quite pretty, and one from Charlestown, as was the principal, Mr. Bickford. He kept the Somerville High School some years ago. Was formerly in a store and worked his way thru “Harvard” by his own energies.
The country hereabouts is the picture of pastoral comfort and wealth. Fine fields and plantations. Of course many slaves but it is in the milder form. On our stroll the other day called at a house and had some custard pie and a tumbler of fresh milk. The people are very hospitable but about half and half Union and Secesh I expect.
Have had sixteen letters since a week ago last Sat[urday] eve but three weeks elapsed before I had any. Heard from Frank and Will and with them, Abbie writes me they are probably moving on the “Blackwater” [River].
The country and general appearance of things is more cheerful here than in the Eastern Department and I trust there’ll be an end sometime.
Tell little Lulu she must be a good little girl and Papa and Mama are thinking of her every day. Her picture and mother’s are a great comfort to me.
Letters come thru in four days so it don’t seem so very far from home, only when you think of the journey.
Must write a line to Orange and must close. Write me as often as possible. Love to each and all.
As ever from your affec[tionate],
Jerome P
Camp “Dick Robinson” Ky
Sabbath [April] 19th 1863
Dear friends all,
It is a rainy day and in the morning I expected to have a quiet day with a few lines to dear ones at home, but somewhat confused so far and I fear you will have a poor affair but now that Allie is not with you felt I must send you a line if nothing more, with my love and a kiss to my little Lulu.
Everything is moving along as usual in camp. The signs of an advance but still waiting among the big trees for weeks.
Received your and Mother’s letter in due time for which I expressed my thanks in one of Allie’s letters. I suppose you send hers to her.
I was sorry that she thought it best to leave you and had hoped a year would unite us again and she could keep together that time but I suppose all is for the best.
Have been very well and have recovered from the effects of the late march.
The weather is becoming hot and we are lessening our clothing considerably. Have had but little to do thus far but ‘rest up’ and that we have done as much as possible.
Last Thurs. P.M. had a pass out of camp and took a three hour stroll. A delightful time. ‘Tis a fine country about here and some beautiful scenery on the Kentucky or a tributary. Found a few flowers. Have sent Allie some. Will find some more perhaps.
There are about 2500 troops in this immediate neighborhood and a great many more ahead of us but when we shall move I cannot divine.
Our camp is very pleasant and the grass is out finely and the birds “make melody” all the day.
Yesterday P.M. a large coach full of ladies from the Danville Institute with their teacher paid us a visit and quite a sensation was the consequence. The officers were very gallant. There were some quite pretty, and one from Charlestown, as was the principal, Mr. Bickford. He kept the Somerville High School some years ago. Was formerly in a store and worked his way thru “Harvard” by his own energies.
The country hereabouts is the picture of pastoral comfort and wealth. Fine fields and plantations. Of course many slaves but it is in the milder form. On our stroll the other day called at a house and had some custard pie and a tumbler of fresh milk. The people are very hospitable but about half and half Union and Secesh I expect.
Have had sixteen letters since a week ago last Sat[urday] eve but three weeks elapsed before I had any. Heard from Frank and Will and with them, Abbie writes me they are probably moving on the “Blackwater” [River].
The country and general appearance of things is more cheerful here than in the Eastern Department and I trust there’ll be an end sometime.
Tell little Lulu she must be a good little girl and Papa and Mama are thinking of her every day. Her picture and mother’s are a great comfort to me.
Letters come thru in four days so it don’t seem so very far from home, only when you think of the journey.
Must write a line to Orange and must close. Write me as often as possible. Love to each and all.
As ever from your affec[tionate],
Jerome P
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus)
NOTE 1: Camp Dick Robinson was a large Union Army organizational and training center located near Lancaster in rural Garrard County, Kentucky. The camp was established on August 6, 1861, despite the protests of Governor Beriah Magoffin, a strong secessionist and Southern sympathizer. It was located about halfway between Cincinnati and the Cumberland Gap, and was about 30 miles from Lexington, Kentucky. It was constructed on the farm of Captain Dick Robinson, a strong pro-Union supporter. The post served as a rallying point for local loyalists, as well as for Unionists who had left their homes in eastern Tennessee in order to enlist in the Union army. In 1862, the Confederate Army seized the camp and renamed it "Camp Breckinridge," in honor of Confederate general and former U.S. Vice President John C. Breckinridge, a native Kentuckian. The advance of the Union army into the region forced the Rebels to abandon the camp, and Federal troops regained its possession for the remainder of the war. After hostilities ceased in 1865, the camp was phased out of existence.
NOTE 2: 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.
NOTE 3: Abbie (Abigail) Jaquith was Allie’s younger sister. Abbie was born in 1836, and she died in 1915. Allie (Albinia) was born in 1834, and she died in 1920.
NOTE 1: Camp Dick Robinson was a large Union Army organizational and training center located near Lancaster in rural Garrard County, Kentucky. The camp was established on August 6, 1861, despite the protests of Governor Beriah Magoffin, a strong secessionist and Southern sympathizer. It was located about halfway between Cincinnati and the Cumberland Gap, and was about 30 miles from Lexington, Kentucky. It was constructed on the farm of Captain Dick Robinson, a strong pro-Union supporter. The post served as a rallying point for local loyalists, as well as for Unionists who had left their homes in eastern Tennessee in order to enlist in the Union army. In 1862, the Confederate Army seized the camp and renamed it "Camp Breckinridge," in honor of Confederate general and former U.S. Vice President John C. Breckinridge, a native Kentuckian. The advance of the Union army into the region forced the Rebels to abandon the camp, and Federal troops regained its possession for the remainder of the war. After hostilities ceased in 1865, the camp was phased out of existence.
NOTE 2: 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.
NOTE 3: Abbie (Abigail) Jaquith was Allie’s younger sister. Abbie was born in 1836, and she died in 1915. Allie (Albinia) was born in 1834, and she died in 1920.
Original Format
Letter/Paper
Files
Collection
Reference
Jerome Peirce 1863, From Jerome to "Friends all", April 19, 1863, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Embed
Copy the code below into your web page