From Jerome to Allie, February 6, 1863

From Jerome to Allie, February 6, 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

1863-02-06

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).

6.71 X 4.33
6.37 X 9.39
11.15 X 9.13
6.3 X 9.22
6.43 X 9.3
6.38 X 9.37
jpg

English

Text

Letter #68

Camp at Falmouth VA.

Friday P.M. 6th Feb 1863
My dearest Allie,
It has been a somewhat stormy and exceedingly muddy and uncomfortable day outside and confused generally and I fear I shall not answer yours received last eve (the 9th letter) as it deserves. I cannot express to you my happiness at the thought of your interest in religious matters. Heaven knows I am far, oh how very far, from filling my ideal in such deep concerns, but for all that I am deeply sensible how important the subject is and never more so than since my sojourn in the Army.
I approve with my whole heart your intentions, and trust you will enjoy so much with Abbie and so find a great helper in these times of deep trial, and I pray that you may find a sustaining power which will enable you to bear up and in every dark hour, and maintain a courage and faith that no affliction or disaster can dispel.
I hope you will write me as much as possible about [it] and so help me to contend with what is before my trial temptation, and I think I can honestly assure that “temptations”, as commonly understood in the Army, have no charm or effect upon me but to cause me to cling closer to the dear memories of home – blessed word!
My severest trials here are those of patience and temper, but I trust I will not go backward at least. I pass much of my time alone with my books or in thought as I stroll about in my various duties and in the late quiet camp life. I can hardly be said to have lived, here my best thoughts and feelings have flown to you and the many dear friends at home. You ask me to mention some book in the New Testament for your attentions. If you desire discussion and subject for thought, I would recommend the Epistle of Romans. You have the commentary on the same in our Library, which will help you, which contains the life of St. Paul, which will bear a careful study, the grand intellectual apostle and earnest man. I admire his character much. I have read the Romans since I have been in the Army. You know it contains more upon which the great divisions exist between the Unitarian and Orthodox. Sometime I will try and mention particular chapters. But always bear in mind the simple and beautiful words of the Savior when you find difficulties and the Polyglot bible (mine is one, you know) will enable you to compare texts. I have before mentioned how much I wish I had brought a small copy of the whole bible for I used to teach often to the grand sentences of the Prophet Isiah in particular.
I am so glad you are favorably impressed with your new pastor and I cannot tell you how it sustains me to think of you and Lulu under the serene and holy influence of a regular attendance on worship of your choice and this thought makes me bear up and resolve to do what little I can to sustain the glorious institutions of N. England and resist the efforts of the vile traitors who would subvert them and erect barbarism instead. When the disaster at F. [Fredericksburg] took place and the blunders which have followed since I have felt at times discouraged but I trust I have imbibed a fresh spirit and hope to endure to the end and this brings me to the latest news, viz. We were paid off last eve to Nov. 1st /62 $25.13 and now we expect in a few days to report at Fortress Monroe without delay which may be within or even less than a week. From there we join the Blackwater Army (so Capt. S says) which is to assault south of Richmond.
So sudden came change here, I fear my furlough will “come tardy off” but I think for the public good all’s for the best for I am convinced that the Va. campaign is and will be a shameful failure which the same power can be more effectively used to sever the Capital from the “Confederacy” and so cripple the rebels to the ending of the conflict.
There is much that is doubtful to speculation yet but part of our division is already on the move and little doubt exists as to our leaving soon. One sign is that we are having “any quantity” of rations dealt out to us which always precedes a movement, load the men and so reduce the number of teams.
Have been very busy today washing and fixing up my things and knapsack, etc. J. H. has gone “on guard” where I was the other night and at present I am alone by a warm fire, my flannels appended overhead drying while before me a bread box is covered with [???] blouse, cap, and stationery. Bought a lot today. I will send you some money soon. Am hesitating about buying boots here, have got along very well so far by drawing shoes about once a month, a dear way I fear, but they are very easy for marching, rather think I shall get me a pair. Jos. H. will. I wish I could send you the whole, but I need very much a little by me. Will do the best I can. I do not desire the voyage around Cape Hatteras this season but many brave men have been there and we can. I have learned to look these changes and duties in the face and though my slight vision of a furlough and home was a happy one and carries its keen regret at the prospect of failure, I feel compensated by the thought of being more useful and I trust successful and finally I hope to meet you sometime in better days and it would not surprise to have the order countermanded, so uncertain are all the movements here.
J. H. has written which will explain itself. To Mary and Hattie I would say that they know full well I intend a word to them always, even if I do not address them separately and I think of them as of old.
If we go to New Bern, I hope to see James Walker also Walter Everett (1st Lieut.) in the Fifth and possibly to meet Frank and Will. Wrote the latter last eve.
What letters did I send you last? I intended to have sent one of Henry P.’s but found it here after I mailed yours. Will send Kale’s with Georgie’s first effort. Tell Lulu Papie would “come home” and see his darlings but she must remember me and love me just the same and when old enough feel proud that her father was a soldier and could ensure a little for a good cause. Will send things for wreathes etc. I am glad you are so successful in making them.
With the entire love your husband
Jerome

Transcriber’s Note:
Notation on left margin of Page 1: “(7th ???)” [Refers to a sequential number used by Jerome at times to track his letters.]

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus)

NOTE 1: The “Jos. H.” or “J. 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, Jerome’s nephew.

NOTE 2: Mary and Hattie (Nickname for Harriet] were sisters of Abbie. Abbie moved in with her parents after Jerome enlisted. Mary and Hattie were also living in the parents’ home at the time.

NOTE 3: The “Soldier’s Letter, etc.” notation on the envelope was written on the upper right-hand corner of the envelope, where a stamp would normally be affixed. Charles T. Canfield, who was 38 years old and from Worcester, Massachusetts, was the chaplain of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment from August 28, 1862, until October 20, 1863, when he resigned. The rubber-stamped note “Due 3” was apparently stamped over Canfield’s hand-written note by a post office official. An identical note written by Canfield (and also the “Due 3” note) appears on several of Jerome’s letters. Canfield (and Jerome) apparently believed that this notation would make it unnecessary to affix the three-cent stamp required for a letter at that time. However, it appears that they were mistaken. Whether or not the three cents postage due was actually collected from Allie could not be determined. It is interesting to note that in more recent times, U.S. service personnel in war zones have been allowed free franking privileges by writing “Free” or “Soldier’s Mail” in the area of the envelope where a stamp would normally be affixed. There is also a faint note on the envelope that reads “No Stamps”.

Letter/Paper