From Jerome to Allie, February 1, 1863
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to Allie, February 1, 1863
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Allie
Falmouth VA.
Description
From Jerome to Allie
Creator
Jerome Peirce
Source
Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service
Publisher
HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Date
1863-02-01
Contributor
NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (Transcriber)
Rights
For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904).
Format
6.66 X 4.49
6.47 X 9.38
11.15 X 9.27
6.46 X 9.34
jpg
6.47 X 9.38
11.15 X 9.27
6.46 X 9.34
jpg
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #66
Coverage
Camp at Falmouth VA.
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Sunday Feb 1st 1863
My dear wife,
It is a way along in the P.M. and have just got down to answer yours [your letter] of 25 Jan. I have received all the letters I think and I believe this is the 5th since I began to number mine.
Yesterday and today were very busy days. Had hardy got my breakfast down when I was wanted to help chop wood the co. on picket So I got detailed for work nearer the camp, as they can’t compel me to go on picket, but I don’t object to work and I assure you I am quite formidable with an axe. Worked till noon, with a “squad” of men and came home and fixed up tent, improving it, little shelves made from bread boxes for dishes and various trays that we want handy [for] books, writing utensils, sewing [supplies], etc., dug out the fireplace some. This morning washed out two or three little articles, fixed shirt, put a collar on one of the worn ones and succeeded nicely. I prefer them to the others if I can have collars on them. You will ask what I made the collars of, of one of the swaitches [swatches]. I left them off sometime since [I] like it much better without them.
The weather is fair again, quite windy today, no inspection, service or anything else, but a real Sabbath. And what shall I say? No news, only talk of furloughs and ten thousand rumors which made me think of “Heavenly” letter to the “Journal” from the old Sixth which Abbie sends me and without the fortifications or work on them would apply to the Thirty Sixth. I don’t understand about Abbie’s letter containing mine “of last Sunday”. Did I enclose one [letter] to you by mistake?
Had a letter from Abbie yesterday. Received papers from you with wafers “all right”. Can find no proper stamps (one cents) and if I don’t reach you. I was sorry Lulu could not have the little paper I sent. She must take a kiss from Papa for her nice letter and wish I could give it myself. Had another call on Ben Edmonds the other eve (P.M.). You gave him the “Cider” poetry, pretty good. Told him to paste it up in his tent. Sent his regards to you.
We have some good times. “We” I mean I do in Co. “B”, for I pass more really “congenial” moments there than I do in this Co. A fine set of fellows with Crofts and Ben E. here, no disorder but coarse and intensely selfish (private) with one or two exceptions, and by the way, an incident. We have a James E. Hills in our Co. who appears to be a cousin of she that was Cecilia Hills, who lives in Burlington [???] Merriam or Marrion as J.E. calls it. He had a letter from her in which she mentions me “who was a cousin of some neighbors of hers”, doubtless the Walkers. Mr. Shakespeare has made quite a stir with two or three in the Co., Hills one of them and W. L. Howe, two fine fellows. The latter was at Amherst Col [College] when he enlisted and we expected him for 2nd Lieut. But some “Hokus Pokus” and disappointed. There have been no new developments in regard to the Army, War, etc. and it seems to be taken for granted that we are in quarters and should be for some weeks. I hope so for the mind is fearful and our tents are “cosey” and I don’t see how we can accomplish much unless it is to come North and put down some of the treason springing up nearer home. What do you think?
Am glad you have such pleasant times at the neighbors. My regards to all the good friends. Shall be glad to get Adam’s letters or “Burke” either. Abbie is going to send something in book kind I believe. Wish I had a pocket edition of Cowper’s “Task” same size, perhaps a little larger than Adamses [???] and a great favorite of mine. Have got to go for wood, so must close. Tell Lulu I hear some sweet little birds when among the trees and wish she could see them, tho I suppose you have the snow birds. The ‘boys’ all well and wish to be remembered to you. Shall look into the Register and Testament before I sleep, and so with love to all I am as ever yours
Jerome
Wrote you last Wedns. [Wednesday] Had a letter from Ed Peirce. I send you Henry’s and Dr. B’s.
My dear wife,
It is a way along in the P.M. and have just got down to answer yours [your letter] of 25 Jan. I have received all the letters I think and I believe this is the 5th since I began to number mine.
Yesterday and today were very busy days. Had hardy got my breakfast down when I was wanted to help chop wood the co. on picket So I got detailed for work nearer the camp, as they can’t compel me to go on picket, but I don’t object to work and I assure you I am quite formidable with an axe. Worked till noon, with a “squad” of men and came home and fixed up tent, improving it, little shelves made from bread boxes for dishes and various trays that we want handy [for] books, writing utensils, sewing [supplies], etc., dug out the fireplace some. This morning washed out two or three little articles, fixed shirt, put a collar on one of the worn ones and succeeded nicely. I prefer them to the others if I can have collars on them. You will ask what I made the collars of, of one of the swaitches [swatches]. I left them off sometime since [I] like it much better without them.
The weather is fair again, quite windy today, no inspection, service or anything else, but a real Sabbath. And what shall I say? No news, only talk of furloughs and ten thousand rumors which made me think of “Heavenly” letter to the “Journal” from the old Sixth which Abbie sends me and without the fortifications or work on them would apply to the Thirty Sixth. I don’t understand about Abbie’s letter containing mine “of last Sunday”. Did I enclose one [letter] to you by mistake?
Had a letter from Abbie yesterday. Received papers from you with wafers “all right”. Can find no proper stamps (one cents) and if I don’t reach you. I was sorry Lulu could not have the little paper I sent. She must take a kiss from Papa for her nice letter and wish I could give it myself. Had another call on Ben Edmonds the other eve (P.M.). You gave him the “Cider” poetry, pretty good. Told him to paste it up in his tent. Sent his regards to you.
We have some good times. “We” I mean I do in Co. “B”, for I pass more really “congenial” moments there than I do in this Co. A fine set of fellows with Crofts and Ben E. here, no disorder but coarse and intensely selfish (private) with one or two exceptions, and by the way, an incident. We have a James E. Hills in our Co. who appears to be a cousin of she that was Cecilia Hills, who lives in Burlington [???] Merriam or Marrion as J.E. calls it. He had a letter from her in which she mentions me “who was a cousin of some neighbors of hers”, doubtless the Walkers. Mr. Shakespeare has made quite a stir with two or three in the Co., Hills one of them and W. L. Howe, two fine fellows. The latter was at Amherst Col [College] when he enlisted and we expected him for 2nd Lieut. But some “Hokus Pokus” and disappointed. There have been no new developments in regard to the Army, War, etc. and it seems to be taken for granted that we are in quarters and should be for some weeks. I hope so for the mind is fearful and our tents are “cosey” and I don’t see how we can accomplish much unless it is to come North and put down some of the treason springing up nearer home. What do you think?
Am glad you have such pleasant times at the neighbors. My regards to all the good friends. Shall be glad to get Adam’s letters or “Burke” either. Abbie is going to send something in book kind I believe. Wish I had a pocket edition of Cowper’s “Task” same size, perhaps a little larger than Adamses [???] and a great favorite of mine. Have got to go for wood, so must close. Tell Lulu I hear some sweet little birds when among the trees and wish she could see them, tho I suppose you have the snow birds. The ‘boys’ all well and wish to be remembered to you. Shall look into the Register and Testament before I sleep, and so with love to all I am as ever yours
Jerome
Wrote you last Wedns. [Wednesday] Had a letter from Ed Peirce. I send you Henry’s and Dr. B’s.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
NOTE 1: The location from where the letter was written is not indicated. However, based on letters prior to and after this one, in addition to information contained in the Unit History, it was written while the 36th Massachusetts Regiment was camped at Falmouth, Virginia, across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, Virginia.
NOTE 2: The Task: A Poem, in Six Books is a poem in blank verse by William Cowper published in 1785. William Cowper (1731 – 1800) was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside.
NOTE 1: The location from where the letter was written is not indicated. However, based on letters prior to and after this one, in addition to information contained in the Unit History, it was written while the 36th Massachusetts Regiment was camped at Falmouth, Virginia, across the Rappahannock River from Fredericksburg, Virginia.
NOTE 2: The Task: A Poem, in Six Books is a poem in blank verse by William Cowper published in 1785. William Cowper (1731 – 1800) was an English poet and hymnodist. One of the most popular poets of his time, Cowper changed the direction of 18th century nature poetry by writing of everyday life and scenes of the English countryside.
Original Format
Letter/Paper
Files
Collection
Reference
Jerome Peirce 1863, From Jerome to Allie, February 1, 1863, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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