From Jerome to Allie, May 6, 1863

From Jerome to Allie, May 6, 1863

Peirce, Jerome

Allie

Middleburg, KY.

From Jerome to Allie

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1863-05-06

NPS, Civil War Study Group, Tom Neubig (Transcriber)

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

4.74 X 2.75
4.85 X 7.93
9.71 X 7.93
4.85 X 7.93
Jpg

English

Text

Letter #109

near Middleburg, KY.

LETTER TRANSCRIPTION

Near Middleburg, 6th May 1863
My dearest Allie,
If all reports are true, you have had glorious news ere this and it is said we are to hear it on dress parade this eve. A great victory at Fredericksburg etc. and a report of Gen. Hooker of eight pages sent to the whole Army! My heart beats as I write it and heaven grant all is true.
Have just [seen] Ceritin Murray. We are halted. Moved camp to a more healthy location about a mile from where [we] were last Sunday, the date of my last [letter]. Of course all is still and dull. No news of importance in front (Tenn) and such as it is in our favor. I felt I must send you a few lines to tell you I’m well and coming up from the marches finely.
Have had a good deal of rain for the last days. We came in here Monday P.M. in the midst of a tremendous shower, which wet us to the skin, but all were merry as larks, and soon had our tents pitched. I am now with the two Woodward’s from O. [Orange]. We are in a valley, heights all around, a river and brook in front and rear. Country hilly and rough people. A few Union farmers, all ordinary and quiet. The soldiers are very cheerful and careful not to trespass as we feel [we are] among friends.
Had a nice time with Ben last eve. Is very happy at being so kindly remembered by you. His wife will have your messages. She was in the midst of the excitement at Wheeling, where the Rebels were raiding, but she was brave and did not like to leave the city as all of them did with their valuables and went over into Ohio.
Witnessed a funny scene last eve. Some slave ‘boys’ singing and dancing by candlelight outdoors and a crowd of 36th [Regiment soldiers] around them. ‘Native talent” and vastly amusing I assure you.
Hope for a mail tonight. None since Sunday.
Am glad you are well and happy. Allie, you may have a wrong impression. I disliked the idea of you entering a shop for it seems to me you might have sewing as you will now and so be among friends and cheerful associations.
The clouds do seem breaking and if the Rebel Army of Va [Virginia] is destroyed, the end is surely approaching.
The loyal people here are bitter on the rebels and it does us all good to see evidence of earnestness and depend upon it [that] Ky. [Kentucky] will look out for the traitors.
We amuse ourselves in keeping our “pieces” (guns) in order and cutting down knapsacks for rapid movement and mine is quite smaller. Don’t send any stationery just now as I intend to keep as little as possible and on marches I can write but few. You will understand.
Our movements are all uncertain and I cannot imagine when or where we shall move.
If the news is true, it may bring us to a dead halt or send us back to Camp Dick.
Love to all friends, Alonzo and the rest. Have written someone near you almost every day of our moves. J.H. is well along with the teams. Heard of your call at Isaac E’s by Ben last eve, and a goodly message he sent us both.
I cannot overstate my enjoyments with Ben and if we return together! But [???] with a [kiss] and one for Lulu.
As ever your loving,
Jerome

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

NOTE 1: The 36th Regiment camped at Middleburg (referenced as Middleburgh), Kentucky from May 2 to May 23rd, 1862. Middleburg is on the Green River. According to Wikipedia, the first landowner in the area was Abraham Lincoln I, the grandfather of president Abraham Lincoln, who purchased 800 acres in the area in 1784.

NOTE 2: The Regimental History describes the favorable, albeit inaccurate, news about a major Union victory in Virginia, referenced in Jerome’s letter. On page 44: “Wednesday, May 6th at dress parade a dispatch from General Wilcox to General Welch, announcing cheering news from the Rappahannock was read. Not until two days later did we receive the tidings of Hooker’s defeat at Chancellorsville.” Rumors seemed to abound. The Regimental History noted that on May 10th, there were rumors of the capture of Richmond, and a major celebration was held by Union troops.

NOTE 3: The reference to Camp Dick likely refers to Camp Dick Robinson, near Bryantsville, where the 36th Regiment stayed from April 9 to April 30, 1862. Camp Dick Robinson was named after the famer, Richard Robinson, on whose farm the Union established the first federal base south of the Ohio River in August 1861. It played an important role in keeping Kentucky as a border state during the war. Kentucky officially declared its neutrality at the beginning of the war, but after a failed attempt by Confederate General Leonidas Polk to take the state for the Confederacy, the legislature petitioned the Union Army for assistance.

NOTE 4: The reference to the “excitement at Wheeling, where Rebels were raiding” likely refers to the Jones-Imboden Raid, a military action in April and May 1863. The raid, led by Brigadier Generals Jones and Imboden, aimed at disrupting traffic on the Baltimore and Ohio Railroad and the derail the statehood movement. Voters had approved a new Constitution and statement in March and were awaiting Congressional and Presidential approval, which occurred in June. The raiders damaged several railroad bridges, but not the two most crucial bridges.

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