From Jerome to Allie, June 10-11, 1863

From Jerome to Allie, June 10-11, 1863

Peirce, Jerome

Allie

Cairo, IL.

Memphis, TN.

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1863-06-10
1863-06-11

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).

6.85 X 4.47
6.41 X 9.25
11.43 X 9.44
6.59 X 9.41
6.23 X 9.15
11.14 X 9.22
Jpg

English

Text

Letter #126

Cairo, IL. near Memphis, TN.

LETTER TRANSCRIPTION

Cairo Ills. [Illinois] Wedns Morn 10 June/63
Ninth A. C. [Army Corps] 1st Brigade 36th M. [Massachusetts] Vols. [Volunteers]

Arrived here from Louisville about midnight last night 9th. Remained in the [railroad] cars till about 2 o’clk when we were ordered off for the boat. Went on board and after looking in vain for anything like a covering, sought the upper deck where wrapped in tents and blankets, fell asleep, not however till the rain began to fall and daylight revealed a wet spot or so. Looked about awhile and made a cup of coffee in the furnace and had a kind of breakfast. Wrote to wife and went to the P. O. Had a walk however on the street and made a few purchases, clothing, reading matter, etc.
A muddy, sunken, miserable looking place as we had expected. A landlocked bay with thick woods and little appearance of the mouth of the great Ohio, or its greater “father” the Mississippi, but all will be revealed in time. No signs of starting, delay on acct [account] of baggage and rations. Signs of clearing off.
Our trip here was one continual ovation, Ind. [Indiana] and Ills. [Illinois]. A fine country and many flourishing towns. Seymour, Washington, Salem, Clay City, Centralia, Flora and others, Du Quoin, in each of which there was a general turnout and old and young seemed bent upon the most generous attention and hospitality, while “good things”, bouquets, billets, etc. etc. etc. were showered into the cars.
The prairies are very striking, such vast fields with scarcely a tree, but fine feed, corn, wheat, and stock of cattle, horses and hogs, while every house seemed to have its dozen more of less of the human species making altogether a flourishing scene and presages some support and care of the Union when the troubled times are over. God grant us a more thorough nationality!
Have almost “skipped” Louisville Ky., a flourishing and beautiful city. Marched thru some of the finest streets at daylight and admired the broad streets, fine warehouses, churches and hotels. It looks pretty from the river. Jeffersonville, on the Ind. [Indiana] side of the river where we take cars for C. [Cairo] is decidedly a “one horse” place.


Mississippi River Near Memphis Tenn.
Thurs P.M. June 11 1863
My dearest Wife,
Alonzo tells me he shall make an effort to mail letters at M. [Memphis] and so I add a few lines to this, which I began yesterday morn. after coming on board the boat. I have little to add as steamboat travelling is very monotonous. My impressions of the great river are not fully realized. ‘Tis not so vast as I expected in width, but when we think of its length and the vast floods it receives from the whole country, ‘tis a mighty stream.
The banks are generally low and covered with thick woods, cottonwoods and others of greater size. We have seen Columbus and “Island No. 10” famous as Rebel strongholds, the first on a fine bluff and looks formidable. We were “brought to” by a shot across the bow at C. [Cairo] which of course made a little stir but we only had to report! Fort Pillow passed a short time ago. Expect to reach M. [Memphis] this eve. where the boat will stop awhile but we go to Vicksburg and of course I cannot tell what is before us. Today we met a boat [that] reported heavy fighting there and a great battle last Sunday at Haynes Bluff near V. [Vicksburg].
We expect the “Ninth” [Ninth Army Corps] has work before it and I can only commend you to the “good being” who sees even a sparrow’s fall, as has some end in view for good. I am feeling as well as ever again and trust you are in [good] health. The boat is much crowded and weather has been showery and altho somewhat exposed I seem to escape colds and as yet perceive not bad effects from the change of climate.
Amuse ourselves mostly in reading. Have begun Dickens’ “Great Expectations” and most every man has something of the kind, or writing. Don’t know when we shall receive mail. Desire one very much.
We are now approaching a hostile country and everything is quite uncertain, but trust all will end for the best.
Mailed a letter from Cairo. Hope you will receive it.
I need not tell you that I wander about deck and think much, oh how much, of you, Lulu and the dear ones at home and a thousand loved scenes come to mind and what the end is to be. I think I can say I have no sinking [feeling] but rather feel more resolute and calm in view of the great blessing to one land which a victory and proper settlement will bring and as the magnitude of the times present themselves, I am proud to bear a humble part and I have full faith that whatever my part or fate may be, my dear ones will not be forgotten. Do not think [too] seriously of what I say but you would deem it strange in me if I was not impressed somewhat with the sense of the future and you will receive these words accordingly.
The “boys” are all well and in good spirits, very quiet and orderly and altho general liberty of the town was allowed at C. [Cairo], our Regt. behaved exceedingly well.
I enclose a rose from a bouquet given us on the road in Ills. [Illinois] as a little memento. Will mail you Lulu’s paper thrown into the [railroad] cars also.
I am writing this in the saloon of the boat where officers and men are in common, writing, playing cards, etc. etc.
Have amused myself a little while today in sewing together my “Shakespeare” in pamphlet form. It is now in “4 vols.” as the binding broke from rough usage in knapsack, writing paper for covers, making it very pretty to handle and lighter.
I mention these little things that you may form an idea of how time passes.
I have written a mixed letter putting my thoughts as they come and here they are not apt to flow in order.
Cannot tell when I can mail again. Will not fail at every opportunity.
To friends, as ever, and your own loving husband.
Jerome

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus)

NOTE 1: 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 his letters was one of Jerome’s nieces, and starting on January 21, 1864, Alonzo was the husband of one of his nieces.

NOTE 2: Fort Pillow is best remembered for the Battle of Fort Pillow. That battle, also known as the Fort Pillow massacre, was fought on April 12, 1864, at Fort Pillow on the Mississippi River in Henning, Tennessee. The battle ended with the massacre of African-American Union troops and their white officers attempting to surrender, by soldiers under the command of Confederate Major General Nathan Bedford Forrest.

NOTE 3: Charles Dickens’ novel “Great Expectations” was written in 1861.

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