From Lucy I. Walker (Friend) to Jerome, June 7, 1863

From Lucy I. Walker (Friend) to Jerome, June 7, 1863

Walker, Lucy I.

Peirce, Jerome

Charlestown, MA.

From Lucy I. Walker (Friend) to Jerome

Lucy I. Walker

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1863-06-07

NPS, Civil War Study Group, Barb Davidson (Transcriber)

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

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10.5 X 8.15
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English

Text

Letter #124

Charlestown, MA.

LETTER TRANSCRIPTION

Charlestown [Massachusetts]
June 7, 1863
My dear Friend
Thank you most kindly for sending me such a nice letter. It was a most welcome assurance that you remember me, though so far away. I have often wished to write you, but I know you had very many correspondents who could interest you more by giving you local news. Still, I may be allowed to say, no one could write you who could feel a deeper interest in your welfare than I do (excepting of course your own immediate family). I have heard from you often through your letters to others and they are prized by all.
I am rejoiced that you enjoy good health but you must be very careful of yourself during the warm or rather hot weather - (i. e.) if a soldier can do so – avoid exposure to everything which will cause fever and ague. I dread it much for our soldiers.
Abbie is now in Billerica, her brother having arrived. I had a call from Albinia when she was in town, but she promises me a longer visit and says she will bring that dear little girl of yours. I saw her photograph, she is very cunning indeed. May you all be spared to meet again in health and happiness.
The course for which you have risked your life is so sacred that you go on your way cheerfully and trustingly, knowing that you depend upon an arm stronger than all earthly support. Many, very many, brave and true must fall on the battlefield. Here we know very little about the sufferings of our soldiers. We read the accounts, but that is all. We cannot fully appreciate it. We can cut and make garments, send them by Express, but if we could only be with the sick and dying to aid them, it would be a greater comfort.
I am proud of every one of my friends who has enlisted in this glorious effort to save our Union and abolish slavery. With brave hearts and true, we shall conquer. It is a great work and will require time and life. Whoever of us lives to see the end will rejoice surely. Our officers are not as a general thing of the right stamp.
Keep up good courage. You have it in your power with your habits and many good qualities of character to affect very favorably all those around you. I know you are in the path of duty, and I cheerfully bid you Godspeed. Looking forward with hope and pleasure to the day when I can welcome you home crowned with success.
“Our Companies” are soon to return – the nine months men. Who will fill their places? We need them all in the field.
Mr. Murray probably writes you all these accounts.
We have today had a grand discourse from our good pastor Dr. Ellis. The communion Sabbath subject [was] the “Mediation at prayer”. Our church is increasing, slowly. I wonder that more are not drawn to this beautiful rite. Would that I could find others whom I see all around me led to realize their need of these helps to the formation of a Christian character. Worldliness abounds, and the good word falls on stony hearts. Am glad you enjoy the Register.
I must be off to the school at the “Point”. Will bid you goodbye with every wish for your health and safe return to your family and many friends.
I enjoy Abbie’s company very much. She is a good girl.
When you feel like doing so, please write to your friend.
L. [Lucy] I. Walker

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus)

NOTE 1: In his Letter No. 118, dated May 30, 1863, Jerome refers to a previous letter from Miss Lucy Walker and having received a copy of the “Register” newspaper from her as follows: “I mailed a letter to Miss Lucy Walker for her kindness in sending the Register.”

NOTE 2: 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 3: “Dr. Ellis” was Rev. George E. Ellis who was the pastor in the church in Charlestown, Massachusetts, that the Peirce family belonged to prior to moving to Orange, Massachusetts. An Internet search provided the following details about him. George Edward Ellis was born in 1814 in Boston, Massachusetts, and he died in 1894, also in Boston. He graduated from Harvard College in 1833 and from the Harvard Divinity School in 1836, and he was ordained in 1840 as the pastor of the Harvard Unitarian Church in Charlestown, Massachusetts. From 1857 until 1863, he was professor of systematic theology in the Harvard Divinity School. In addition to being the pastor at the church, he also wrote and lectured extensively. George Ellis resigned from the pastorate of the Harvard Unitarian Church in 1869. He was president of the Massachusetts Historical Society and also a member of the Board of Overseers of Harvard University in 1850 – 1854. Harvard awarded him the degree of D.D. in 1857 and that of L.L.D. in 1883. He is buried in the Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts.
Dr. Ellis wrote a lengthy letter to the Rev. Levi Ballou at the church in North Orange, Massachusetts, where the funeral service was held in June of 1864 in remembrance of Jerome requesting that his letter be read at that service.

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