From Jerome to Allie, June 6, 1863
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to Allie, June 6, 1863
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Allie
Lebanon, 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
1863-06-06
Contributor
NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (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 X 8.45
11 X 8.5
6 X 8.5
Jpg
11 X 8.5
6 X 8.5
Jpg
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #122
Coverage
Lebanon, KY.
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
LETTER TRANSCRIPTION
Lebanon Ky Sat P.M. 6th June /63
Dearest Wife,
You will see that we keep moving. I wrote you from Columbia Fri, yesterday morn., at 4 a.m. Well, I have nothing to tell you only that we have had some terrible marching, some 60 miles in two days and of course the men are badly used up, myself included but rest will make all right again.
Came on to Campbellsville 20 miles yesterday with my knapsack excepting the last 3 miles when the Adjt. [Adjutant] (Alonzo) kindly took it on his horse behind him. Today we came tho to this place, 18 miles. Started at 4 o’clk a.m. I am obliged to resign my knapsack and rode most of the way in an ambulance for the first time, but life is the first consideration. Some many of the best, pluckiest men gave in and a train of wagons met us by the way and took all the knapsacks of the Brigade that we might be sure and arrive here today. So here we are in the sun in an open corn field, but there is a gentle breeze blowing which makes it bearable. Our tents spread as our awning in “most any way” to make a shade.
Everything is surmise and confusion. We don’t know where we are going but we expect back somewhere in Virginia or East somewhere. Alonzo thinks so.
We have seen the hardest time since leaving Middlebury that we ever experienced and we feel perfectly willing to move eastward. The troops here are all mounted and ‘tis hard work to follow them in a way to be any aid.
Some talk of Vicksburg as our destination but I don’t see it.
Yours of the 27th met me here. Am glad your friends are so attentive and hope you may glean all the happiness possible. God only knows how much I would be to return to you but duty seems to point a different way, and so we must still wait and hope on. I cannot write you as I would but you will know how near to my heart and thoughts you are and in these weary marches how much the thoughts of the loved ones have kept me up.
We shall now have several days of riding on the R R [railroad] and hope to be once more as of old.
The paymaster is here and we are to be paid off today or before morning and then for our destination.
I see by the “Journal” (read at Columbia) that the 6th is soon to be at home, but I am content that it is as it is with me for there will be a conscription, and a second parting would be worse than the first but I trust Frank will not need to go again. News we have none. Everything is so uncertain and contradictory that we pay little attention to papers.
Don’t know when I shall be able to mail another letter. Shall take notes and mail every opportunity as I did when we came out. As I went to wash up today (we got here about 1 o’clk) I saw Ben Edmands sitting in the shade reading letters from home. He has got along nicely and always returns you his kindest wishes. You should have seen us in my cozy little tent at Jamestown reading an article from Dr. Dewey on the war etc. We, as I often say, enjoy so much when we stop anywhere.
They are now calling to sign the payrolls, so I must close. Take my poor scrawls as they [are]. (must “fall in”!)
3 minutes later. Have signed the payroll, so we are to be paid off!
Met Jos. H. here. Is well. Will have to report to his Co. [Company} again for the present as the whole concern will be turned over to the Department.
I must spread my blankets and get a little rest. Don’t know about directions to [address] letters just yet. Will inform [you] as soon as possible.
Your envelopes and paper came all right you see. Every other letter will do to send them and will keep me supplied.
Love to Albert and Marion and all friends. And as ever your loving husband
Jerome
The latest say is that we are going to Washington.
Lebanon Ky Sat P.M. 6th June /63
Dearest Wife,
You will see that we keep moving. I wrote you from Columbia Fri, yesterday morn., at 4 a.m. Well, I have nothing to tell you only that we have had some terrible marching, some 60 miles in two days and of course the men are badly used up, myself included but rest will make all right again.
Came on to Campbellsville 20 miles yesterday with my knapsack excepting the last 3 miles when the Adjt. [Adjutant] (Alonzo) kindly took it on his horse behind him. Today we came tho to this place, 18 miles. Started at 4 o’clk a.m. I am obliged to resign my knapsack and rode most of the way in an ambulance for the first time, but life is the first consideration. Some many of the best, pluckiest men gave in and a train of wagons met us by the way and took all the knapsacks of the Brigade that we might be sure and arrive here today. So here we are in the sun in an open corn field, but there is a gentle breeze blowing which makes it bearable. Our tents spread as our awning in “most any way” to make a shade.
Everything is surmise and confusion. We don’t know where we are going but we expect back somewhere in Virginia or East somewhere. Alonzo thinks so.
We have seen the hardest time since leaving Middlebury that we ever experienced and we feel perfectly willing to move eastward. The troops here are all mounted and ‘tis hard work to follow them in a way to be any aid.
Some talk of Vicksburg as our destination but I don’t see it.
Yours of the 27th met me here. Am glad your friends are so attentive and hope you may glean all the happiness possible. God only knows how much I would be to return to you but duty seems to point a different way, and so we must still wait and hope on. I cannot write you as I would but you will know how near to my heart and thoughts you are and in these weary marches how much the thoughts of the loved ones have kept me up.
We shall now have several days of riding on the R R [railroad] and hope to be once more as of old.
The paymaster is here and we are to be paid off today or before morning and then for our destination.
I see by the “Journal” (read at Columbia) that the 6th is soon to be at home, but I am content that it is as it is with me for there will be a conscription, and a second parting would be worse than the first but I trust Frank will not need to go again. News we have none. Everything is so uncertain and contradictory that we pay little attention to papers.
Don’t know when I shall be able to mail another letter. Shall take notes and mail every opportunity as I did when we came out. As I went to wash up today (we got here about 1 o’clk) I saw Ben Edmands sitting in the shade reading letters from home. He has got along nicely and always returns you his kindest wishes. You should have seen us in my cozy little tent at Jamestown reading an article from Dr. Dewey on the war etc. We, as I often say, enjoy so much when we stop anywhere.
They are now calling to sign the payrolls, so I must close. Take my poor scrawls as they [are]. (must “fall in”!)
3 minutes later. Have signed the payroll, so we are to be paid off!
Met Jos. H. here. Is well. Will have to report to his Co. [Company} again for the present as the whole concern will be turned over to the Department.
I must spread my blankets and get a little rest. Don’t know about directions to [address] letters just yet. Will inform [you] as soon as possible.
Your envelopes and paper came all right you see. Every other letter will do to send them and will keep me supplied.
Love to Albert and Marion and all friends. And as ever your loving husband
Jerome
The latest say is that we are going to Washington.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
NOTE 1: The Unit History summarizes the movements of the 36th in the first few days of June 1863 as follows. “Remained at Jamestown, Kentucky, until June 4. That day received orders to proceed to Lebanon, Kentucky, 60 miles away, the nearest railroad connection. Arrived at Lebanon at noon on June 6. There the men learned that the destination of the Regiment was Vicksburg, Mississippi, where Gen. Grant needed reinforcements. On the afternoon of June 7, took railroad cars for Louisville, Kentucky, and from there went to Cairo, Illinois, arriving here on June 9.” As in other letters, Jerome’s description of the movements of the Regiment agree perfectly with those described in the Unit History.
NOTE 2: The “Alonzo” Jerome referred to in his letters was Seth Alonzo Ranlett. Ranlett enlisted in Co. B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment as a Private on July 24, 1862, at age 22, and he was from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was promoted to First Sergeant on August 27, 1862, and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on December 1, 1862. On December 17, 1862, he was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment. He was mustered out “on account of physical disability from disease incurred in the service” on February 20, 1864.
Ranlett was born on March 18, 1840, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and he died May 21, 1905, in Newton, Massachusetts. Ranlett’s wife was Ellen Peirce Ranlett, with a date of birth of March 22, 1842, and a date of death of January 12, 1914. They were married on January 21, 1864. Ellen Peirce was one of the children of Foster Peirce and his wife Catherine Abby Beaman. Also, Foster Peirce was a brother of Jerome.
Therefore, the Ellen that Jerome mentions in some his letters was one of Jerome’s nieces, and starting on January 21, 1864, Alonzo was the husband of one of his nieces.
NOTE 3: Benjamin B. Edmands 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 4: The “Jos. 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 1: The Unit History summarizes the movements of the 36th in the first few days of June 1863 as follows. “Remained at Jamestown, Kentucky, until June 4. That day received orders to proceed to Lebanon, Kentucky, 60 miles away, the nearest railroad connection. Arrived at Lebanon at noon on June 6. There the men learned that the destination of the Regiment was Vicksburg, Mississippi, where Gen. Grant needed reinforcements. On the afternoon of June 7, took railroad cars for Louisville, Kentucky, and from there went to Cairo, Illinois, arriving here on June 9.” As in other letters, Jerome’s description of the movements of the Regiment agree perfectly with those described in the Unit History.
NOTE 2: The “Alonzo” Jerome referred to in his letters was Seth Alonzo Ranlett. Ranlett enlisted in Co. B of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment as a Private on July 24, 1862, at age 22, and he was from Charlestown, Massachusetts. He was promoted to First Sergeant on August 27, 1862, and was commissioned as a First Lieutenant on December 1, 1862. On December 17, 1862, he was appointed Adjutant of the Regiment. He was mustered out “on account of physical disability from disease incurred in the service” on February 20, 1864.
Ranlett was born on March 18, 1840, in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and he died May 21, 1905, in Newton, Massachusetts. Ranlett’s wife was Ellen Peirce Ranlett, with a date of birth of March 22, 1842, and a date of death of January 12, 1914. They were married on January 21, 1864. Ellen Peirce was one of the children of Foster Peirce and his wife Catherine Abby Beaman. Also, Foster Peirce was a brother of Jerome.
Therefore, the Ellen that Jerome mentions in some his letters was one of Jerome’s nieces, and starting on January 21, 1864, Alonzo was the husband of one of his nieces.
NOTE 3: Benjamin B. Edmands 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 4: The “Jos. 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.
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Reference
Jerome Peirce 1863, From Jerome to Allie, June 6, 1863, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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