From Jerome to Allie, January 25, 1863

From Jerome to Allie, January 25, 1863

Peirce, Jerome

Allie

Falmouth VA.

From Jerome to Allie

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1863-01-25

NPS, Civil War Study Group, Jack Phend

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

5.54 X 3.23
5.82 X 7.14
11.58 X 7.12
5.82 X 7.14
8.02 X 4.99
8.02 X 9.95
8.02 X 4.99
3.89 X 3.78
3.89 X 3.78
jpg

English

Text

Letter #64

Camp at Falmouth, VA.

Sunday morning, 25th Jan 1863
My ever dear wife,
It is getting along in the forenoon. Have just been doing up my work, washing dishes, cups, etc., and putting things in order in the tent. Jos. H. went on picket yesterday and has not yet returned. Expect him soon. Have put on some water to heat for his tea when he comes. Also, my largest cup sits in the fire in which I a boiling some pork, so we manage to keep ahead a little on victuals. So you can imagine me thus commencing Sunday on the Rappahannock [River].
Have just read again yours of the 21st received last eve., and how good it seemed to get one Sat. eve. You did not think to number your last two. I forgot to [number] my last but I have no doubt we get all the letters now, for I expect they have “looked after them” between N.Y. [New York] and Washington of late. But the mails are often delayed a little between here and W. [Washington] on acct. [account] of the immense amount of mater. [materiel], often bringing part at a time, as it takes whole teams to bring it, but of late, letters have come promptly.
You will hear before you get this how the movements of the Army have been delayed by the storm. It has not fairly cleared off yet. We are now seeing the Virginia winter and I do not believe we can do anything for the present.
I went out a short distance last Friday to see the troops (Franklin’s Corps) returning to their camp and it was a sight. They had to come back 8 miles to get rations. Near us, the going was so bad teams could not get to them. The plan was to mass the whole army except our Corps on the Right, we supporting the batteries here in front and acting on the Centre, at the favorable moment, and so compel them to move their Right and Center to the Left. This plan made a long march for Franklin’s troops. But’s “all up” for now at least and everything is quiet and muddy enough.
Folks at home can form no idea of the thousand difficulties the weather alone makes for us, and together with the vigilance and advantage of position of the enemy so far, they must be patient. I used to think things didn’t move fast enough, but I have seen what it is to rush ahead at the call of the people, and like Gen. Butler, I have had some of my opinions “corrected.” I know there is much to make us weary and almost despair of the Country Government and all. But I cannot believe the vast upheaving is all in vain, and as I think it over, as I have deeply of late, I can see but one course. “Conquer or be Conquered,” for I now think if the South separate, our troubles are but first begun. For I think the South have deeper designs than mere slavery to preserve, and in fact, that will fade into insignificance if they could only worry us to an acknowledgement of their independence. They are [a] daring brave, enduring race and have a great “Southern Empire” in view, Mexico included. And I believe the French see this, by their attempts in Mexico, intend to checkmate or share with them in case of a possible separation. The people are discouraged and the Army much so and full of indifference, owing to not being paid, and the various hardships and defeats, so I cannot tell what is to come. I shall endeavor to do my duty till the end, whatever it may be.
I enjoy your letters very much, always, and don’t wonder you feel discouraged, because you cannot see all there is to delay and trouble us, and am fully aware of the villainy. But still I say with Gen. B. [Burnside], “Be of good cheer.” We are in possession of more territory by far than a year ago. I hope for something more cheering and shall as long as life lasts.
You spoke in one of your letters of sending the Capt[ain] a book. I discouraged you because I had sent for one and it had not come. It came last eve. with your letter. You may think I done wrong to buy it, but could you know how much, how very much comfort I shall take with it, you will not feel I am forgetful.
I thought you could have $9.00 of the watch money and I would keep $3.00, so I sent for a copy of Shakespeare, a little, snug, fine-printed, beautiful copy, smaller than mine at home. And I fairly clapped my hands as the “Orderly” (the sergeant who gets the letters) handed me it. I got it of Crosby and Nicholas of Boston, who had to send to Philadelphia for it. Lippincott & Co. Edition. Cost $2.00, hence the delay in getting it.
Mr. Ellis saw my letter to “C & N” [Crosby & Nichols], so Abbie wrote, and perhaps he gave me a lift. I shall take a great deal of comfort with it, besides contributing some to others, for there are others who appreciate such things and it will tend to elevate the tone of manners in the Company. It is the impression, true to a great extent, that we grow coarse and depraved here and some will imagine their friends much changed, but for myself (to you), I have much to try my temper in my tent, too. (That’s private and things are improving.) but I never fought myself so hard and honestly in my life, and above all, I never clung to or enjoyed the memories of the past, the refining influences of home, reading, etc., etc. as I do here. And profanity and low talk never shocked me as it does now and how often, yes, every moment, as it were, the faces of those dearest to me, each look and manner, comes to mind! I have spoken thus at length, that you might know that I am trying to, “Keep the heart with all diligence,” and many, many are the hours I spend here in the tent looking into the fire and dream of home and of the dear faces there. And the Scriptures are dearer, far dearer than ever, by the way.
Called at Frank Craft’s tent the other day and a young man by the name of Hyde gave me a beautiful copy of “Proverbs” in [a] red linen cover, got up for the Army, very small, as he had several sent him. So I look with so much comfort upon my library! Testament, Proverbs (I often wish I had brought a small copy of the whole Bible.) for I miss only the glorious Prophets, those beautiful verses of “Isaiah” in particular. Have got the “Register” for today, too.
Have not heard only by Henry from the folks at Boston or from Alonzo since I wrote. Am very anxious for him.
I would not attempt to send the book to Capt. S. He has ample chances for reading matter and would not expect [it]. Feel it my duty to look to my own comfort first, and that’s the motto here.
There’s an appropriation made and we hope to be paid off before a great while. This one thing will destroy the efficiency of the Army if not attended to soon, and government thinks so, I imagine.
The note in reply to the photographs was very neat, but I should like to hear from them by letter. Have had more letters from Jamestown and expect a letter from Sarah. Heard she had written. Enclosed was a “Delta” from New Orleans sent by Ed Haynes to them. Glad of the news from Frank and Will. Have written them.
Jos. H. has come and all is confusion. Will add a word by and by to close.
After dinner. Jos. H. is laying down to get a little rest. Says he will write you sometime. He is getting to like Shakespeare’s plays. Don’t know as I can add anything more but love to all friends. Hope Mary will be entirely well. I received the paper and yarn. Am going to cut off the tops and ravel out for yarn. One pair that are worn out. I wear two pair this season. Have three pair good ones now.
As ever your husband, Jerome

Note appearing above the date and salutation on Page 1: “No.3. No.2 mailed last Friday.”

Note written on margins: “I send you an advertisement from a Baltimore paper. You see slaves are like any other commodity.”

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Jack Phend and Josef Rokus)

NOTE 1: The location from where this letter was written is not indicated. However, based on letters prior to and after this one and the history of the Army of the Potomac, it was written while the 36th Massachusetts Regiment was camped near Falmouth, Virginia, across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, Virginia, in Stafford County.

NOTE 2: 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, his nephew.

NOTE 3: The storm and its aftermath referenced in the letter resulted in what has been called the Mud March. General Burnside, after the disastrous defeat at Fredericksburg in December 1862, hoped to cross the Rappahannock River and hit Lee’s flank. The march began on January 20th but it began raining hard for four days, and the offensive was called off on January 23rd, the date this letter was written.

NOTE 4: “Franklin’s Corps” was the VI Corps of the Army of the Potomac, commanded by Gen. William Franklin.

NOTE 5: Below is a copy of the newspaper advertisement clipping he mentions in the letter and which he enclosed. The name of the newspaper from which it was taken or the date it was published is not known, but presumably the date was on or shortly before this letter was written.

NOTE 6: The “’Delta’ from New Orleans” almost certainly refers to the New Orleans newspaper “The Daily Delta.”

Letter/Paper