From Jerome to Allie, August 26, 1863

From Jerome to Allie, August 26, 1863

Peirce, Jerome

Allie

Nicholasville, KY

From Jerome to Allie

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1863-08-26

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).

"5.53 X 3.12" - 1st Scan
"5.03 X 7.96" - 2nd Scan
"10.10 X 7.96" - 3rd Scan
"5.03 X 7.96" - 4th Scan
(JPG)

English

Text

Letter #155

Nicholasville, KY

Wedns Eve 26th Aug 1863
My ever dear Wife,
‘Tis late and after “lights out” but I must say just a word as we move early in the morning for “Crab Orchard” a forage post about 28 miles. Have just returned from the “Coombs” where Mrs. Edmands and Ben are just for a “good bye” call. Had a pleasant time, of course, but ‘tis hard for them to part and Ben will try and stay behind to see her nicely off for Wheeling. She is a very pleasant lady and one you would love, and I wish and intend you shall become better acquainted.
But, about my coming home, as you will receive my letter of Mon[day]. After I mailed it, I learned that the papers had to go to Corps Headquarters for approval, and have not returned. Shall no doubt receive them soon. Alonzo thinks there will be no doubt I will have a good opportunity to see you and the friends. I shall write or telegraph as soon as I know the items. If I telegraph, shall send it to “J. Peirce and Co.” for you. You can make it in your way to be in Boston so ‘twill be alright. Shall report at the store if I can get away for any time at all, so you can hear from me. Of course, if we march far, ‘twill delay us, as we shall have to ride in ambulances to Nicholasville, [Kentucky] to take the cars.
Now for your letter rec’d this eve. with Laura’s note. I certainly will write her in reply sometime. ‘Twas very pleasant to receive a word from her.
‘Tis a week and more since I had received any mail (except a back one) and I didn’t know what to think of it. Hope Jos. [Joseph] and Foster’s family, or some of them, can be at home. Ben was delighted with the little bag and your messages and appreciates them much. Abbie at home!
Well, I hope all will be well indeed, and that we can all meet by and by, even for a short time. Shall have much to say that I cannot write. I wish I could post you more definitely of my movements, but cannot now. You must be on the watch in Boston. Shall come at the Worcester depot. Captain Holmes and Lieut. Hodgkins are now at home. The latter is in Charlestown, who is to return with us. Capt. H. is at Milford. Expect to have some 200 more for our Regt.
I write late at night and in great haste. A nice letter from Will and Lucy also came tonight and one for J.H. [Joseph H. Peirce]. He is nicely and rides a horse and looks as neat as a pin and fresh and happy.
A kiss for Lulu and all will accept with love always from your
Jerome

P.S. I am surprised at Mr. [Last name omitted] request. Don’t go there, in any such way.

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: The “Joseph” 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 3: The “Foster” referred to in this letter was Foster Peirce, one of Jerome’s older brothers. The 1850 U.S. Census listed him as being born in 1812, living in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and being in the furniture business. It is interesting to note that when that census was taken, Jerome, then 19 years old, was living with the Foster Peirce family, with his occupation being recorded as a “gilder.”

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 “Ben” referred to in this letter 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 6: Otis W. Holmes, from Milford, Massachusetts, enlisted as a Sergeant at age 27 on September 8, 1861, in the 25th Massachusetts Regiment. He was transferred as a First Lieutenant to Co. F of the 36th Massachusetts on August 12, 1862, and then to Company B of the 36th on May 2, 1863. Holmes died in Harewood General Hospital, Washington, D.C. on June 23, 1864, of wounds received in action near Petersburg, Virginia, on June 17, 1864.

NOTE 7: William H. Hodgkins, from Charlestown, Mass., enlisted as a 22-year-old private in July 1862. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in October of that year, received steady promotions, and was mustered out with the 36th Massachusetts Regiment as a brevet major. He was the principal author of the Unit History of the regiment titled History of the Thirty-sixth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. 1862-1865 which is now available on-line on Google Books.

NOTE 8: The P.S. in this letter probably refers to a subject in a previous letter sent by Allie.

Letter/Paper