From Jerome to Allie, June 7, 1863

From Jerome to Allie, June 7, 1863

Peirce, Jerome

Allie

Louisville, KY.

From Jerome to Allie

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1863-06-07

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).

6.5 X 4
6.1 X 8.75
12 X 9.25
6.5 X 9.25
Jpg

English

Text

Letter #123

Louisville, KY.

LETTER TRANSCRIPTION

Louisville KY, Sunday Eve., 7th June /63
And such a Sunday eve!! ½ past 10 o’clk and I am standing under a gas light in the depot, and our regt. lying about on the floor seeking such rest as they can and each company waiting its turn to be paid off. Co. “C.” is now being paid, our turn will come in an hour more, and so I scribble a few lines to you. Under such circumstances you will not expect much of a letter, but I knew you would feel anxious to hear from me as you will probably receive letters from me from Columbia and Lebanon (mailed this morning).
We left L. [Lebanon] this P.M. about 3 o’clk P.M. and arrived here about 7. We are being paid in the depot, and proceed across the river, sometime between this and morning, and by rail to Cairo, Ill. as it now comes out, the great key of the North West where, some have it, we are to remain and have some rest from our tedious life of late while the troops that were stationed there go to Vicksburg, and others still say we go to V. [Vicksburg.]
I don’t yet believe that I am told that people at home call us the “first chapter in Geography!”, and are we not a wandering Corps? Now here, now there. Who would have thought I should have wandered over these scenes that I have so often wished I might as my eyes traced the course on the map. I don’t speak like this from a contented absence from those I love, but as my duty as a soldier calls me to roam, I am glad that I can obtain a glimpse of these regions. Don’t expect to see much of this city as it is night.
Passed this A.M. at Lebanon resting up and I am happy to tell you I am feeling more like myself again. Had the most refreshing sleep in the [railroad] cars, on some hay, head on my knapsack, coming here that I have got for some time so I am feeling refreshed. I don’t take cold, so I shall keep up I think very well, as we shall not march again for some time. Have an excellent appetite and plenty of rations. Ham, coffee and soft bread are to be dealt to us after paying off in the “Soldiers’ Home” nearby.
You will see by this, what we soldiers sometimes have for a Sabbath, but the church bells at Lebanon reminded me of home, for it has been a long time since we have heard them, but I was too tired and lame to answer them, as Ben E. [Edmands] did both A.M. and P.M. he told me.
I intended to have mentioned your birthday. I did not remember whether it was the 4th or 6th. I was having a wearisome march from Jamestown to Columbia that day as you will see by [my] letters. Be sure and mention the letters you receive, or some item so I can know you get them. Have written you quite often of late and no one else, but a note to J. H.’s last to O. [Orange]. Mary was writing you the other day. I shall enclose something in this for you, but being so far from home shall need to keep some by me, but I can purchase some things, thus relieving you from doing so and the trouble and risk of sending. Shall probably obtain a pr. [pair] of shirts by and by altho’ I am not suffering, and am amply supplied with everything I need. I hope you will seek every way of keeping up the “bright side”. Don’t worry about me, you shall hear as often as possible. The farther I go from home, the nearer to the heart you seem to me, and I look with great comfort on the pictures I have of you and Lulu. Tell Abbie to be patient. I will write her [as] soon as a pause and rest will allow time. Willie Hall leaves for home on a furlough. I was just going on board the [railroad] cars at L. [Lebanon] and could only send love.
Don’t think about you not sending anything by Alonzo. I knew some good reason prevented [it].
Tell me if Miss Wilkes rec’d my letter from the “Beech Woods.” I presume I shall forget to mention many things. Have read the “Register” by Dr. Dewey with great enjoyment. I only feel one regret and that is, I fear the people of the North are not yet fully awake to the fearful struggle we are engaged in. The Rebels are sacrificing everything and the news from Vicksburg today is fearful, such a destruction of life all by the terrible earnestness of the enemy and the North must send her sons freely, if we are to be victorious.
Alonzo is well but pretty tired and sleepy tonight.
Good night from your loving husband
Jerome
P.S. Not quite safe to send money tonight. Will forward soon. J

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

NOTE 1: “Ben E.” 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 2: Allie was born on June 4, 1834.

NOTE 3: 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 4: 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 5: 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 several of his letters was one of Jerome’s nieces, and starting on January 21, 1864, Alonzo was the husband of one of his nieces.

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