From Jerome to Allie, May 22, 1863
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to Allie, May 22, 1863
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Allie
Lexington, KY.
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
1863-05-22
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
5.64 X 3.17
4.84 X 7.91
9.79 X 7.91
4.84 X 7.19
Jpg
4.84 X 7.91
9.79 X 7.91
4.84 X 7.19
Jpg
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #114
Coverage
Lexington, KY.
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
LETTER TRANSCRIPTION
Lexington Ky 22nd May 1863
My dearest Wife,
You will learn by last Wedn[esday’s] letter of our visit in L[exington] etc. It is ‘after tea’ (or coffee) and coming on dark and I can send you but a line in haste but I know they will be welcome as I love to send them for in all my turns and adventures, the face of my ‘own’ comes into temporal and I feel how good it is to have one dear friend more than others to share all.
Well, Thurs. we remained about camp and town and eve received orders to report to headquarters for our part in the Ball. ‘Twas quite a fine affair. Civic and military and rather select. Some of the ‘first’ people such as Judge [???] Robinson etc. etc. and a goodly share of young people. Two officers with empty coat sleeves, a lieut. of artillery and a N.H. major were there who told of real service.
The front entry and parlors were the scene of the dancing and all highly decorated with colors, the 36th flag being conspicuous in the entry. Of course we were outside and on guard a part of the time but could see and hear a good deal. About 2 a.m. this morn we were called in and had a nice lunch of the prevailing niceties of such occasions, cake, ices, wine, etc. etc. We have been sleeping for the most part today and mean a walk downtown this eve.
This noon a large fire took place at which I “played engine” for an hour or so with many others of the ‘boys’. Everything wanting the order and system of the east, the fire had its own way completely destroying the medical hospital for soldiers. A large brick building (shaped like the Seminary in Charlestown) but four or five times as large. It stood alone or it would have been a disastrous fire - very.
No orders as yet to ‘go home’ but expect them at any time. I cannot tell you all my adventures. I have seen some of the darker shades of army life for the distant field camp is the purest spot certainly.
Of course I have heard nothing from friends for a week and desire to hear very much. Trust you are well. Are you in Chelsea? Have sent your letters to Billerica but expect to hear when I return to camp the latest news.
Am in excellent health. Wrote Bro. Haynes folks yesterday.
Weather very warm and everything dusty to the last degree.
Love to all and as ever your ever loving husband,
Jerome
P.S. These flying notes are poor things I know, but you know my best thoughts, tho “unexpressed”, and love are yours entirely, for I do not feel the less the dear old home ties but this life is so full of stir I cannot write best always. News is scarce here.
J
I send you A’s letter. Don’t know whether you saw it before.
Lexington Ky 22nd May 1863
My dearest Wife,
You will learn by last Wedn[esday’s] letter of our visit in L[exington] etc. It is ‘after tea’ (or coffee) and coming on dark and I can send you but a line in haste but I know they will be welcome as I love to send them for in all my turns and adventures, the face of my ‘own’ comes into temporal and I feel how good it is to have one dear friend more than others to share all.
Well, Thurs. we remained about camp and town and eve received orders to report to headquarters for our part in the Ball. ‘Twas quite a fine affair. Civic and military and rather select. Some of the ‘first’ people such as Judge [???] Robinson etc. etc. and a goodly share of young people. Two officers with empty coat sleeves, a lieut. of artillery and a N.H. major were there who told of real service.
The front entry and parlors were the scene of the dancing and all highly decorated with colors, the 36th flag being conspicuous in the entry. Of course we were outside and on guard a part of the time but could see and hear a good deal. About 2 a.m. this morn we were called in and had a nice lunch of the prevailing niceties of such occasions, cake, ices, wine, etc. etc. We have been sleeping for the most part today and mean a walk downtown this eve.
This noon a large fire took place at which I “played engine” for an hour or so with many others of the ‘boys’. Everything wanting the order and system of the east, the fire had its own way completely destroying the medical hospital for soldiers. A large brick building (shaped like the Seminary in Charlestown) but four or five times as large. It stood alone or it would have been a disastrous fire - very.
No orders as yet to ‘go home’ but expect them at any time. I cannot tell you all my adventures. I have seen some of the darker shades of army life for the distant field camp is the purest spot certainly.
Of course I have heard nothing from friends for a week and desire to hear very much. Trust you are well. Are you in Chelsea? Have sent your letters to Billerica but expect to hear when I return to camp the latest news.
Am in excellent health. Wrote Bro. Haynes folks yesterday.
Weather very warm and everything dusty to the last degree.
Love to all and as ever your ever loving husband,
Jerome
P.S. These flying notes are poor things I know, but you know my best thoughts, tho “unexpressed”, and love are yours entirely, for I do not feel the less the dear old home ties but this life is so full of stir I cannot write best always. News is scarce here.
J
I send you A’s letter. Don’t know whether you saw it before.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE (Ben Raterman and Josef Rokus)
Although the first name of Judge Robinson is illegible in the letter, it is possible that he was referring to James Fisher Robinson, who was an attorney and who might also have been a judge. More importantly, Robinson was the pro-Union governor of Kentucky at the time of the ball described in the letter, serving from August 18, 1862, until September 1, 1863. The governor of Kentucky would very likely have attended this ball, which was probably intended to be a part of a public relations effort to impress the local population with the capabilities and “friendliness” of the Union army. In addition, he would definitely have been part of the “first” people, as referred to in the letter.
Although the first name of Judge Robinson is illegible in the letter, it is possible that he was referring to James Fisher Robinson, who was an attorney and who might also have been a judge. More importantly, Robinson was the pro-Union governor of Kentucky at the time of the ball described in the letter, serving from August 18, 1862, until September 1, 1863. The governor of Kentucky would very likely have attended this ball, which was probably intended to be a part of a public relations effort to impress the local population with the capabilities and “friendliness” of the Union army. In addition, he would definitely have been part of the “first” people, as referred to in the letter.
Original Format
Letter/Paper
Files
Collection
Reference
Jerome Peirce 1863, From Jerome to Allie, May 22, 1863, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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