From Jerome to Allie, September 20, 1862
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to Allie, September 20, 1862
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Allie
Near Keedysville, MD.
Description
From Jerome to Peirce
Creator
Jerome Peirce
Source
Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service
Publisher
HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Date
1862-09-20
Contributor
NPS, Civil War Study Group, Donald Pfanz (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 X 4 - 1st Scan
6.5 X 9 - 2nd Scan
10.75 X 8.75 - 3rd Scan
6 X 8.75 - 4th Scan
jpg
6.5 X 9 - 2nd Scan
10.75 X 8.75 - 3rd Scan
6 X 8.75 - 4th Scan
jpg
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #14
Coverage
Near Keedysville, MD.
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Near Keedysville, Md 20 Sept 1862
My dearest Allie
After a tedious march of three days and a half in succession, we have reached this place, which is in the very seat of war, and within a short distance of a bloody field, and the victims of which we have met hourly for the last two days. But let me say a word about our march. We left Brookville Weds morning, and went 15 miles, to beyond a miserable village called Damascus, where we camped outdoors in a musty and damp night, and weary I assure you. But after a while we had a ration of hot coffee and had a good nights sleep. Early Thu[r]s morn. moved into Frederick City, about 17 miles, through Monrovia[,] Newmarket, &c. The county is more hilly and N.E. like in Nature but nothing else. Frederick is a pretty place in a valley surrounded by heights, South Mountain &c[.] Yesterday morn. left F.C. and came beyond Middletown, thro’ a beautiful Country but marked by the rebel raid and camped on a beautiful hill[,] a chain, or branch of the Blue Ridge, with a charming view thro’ wide vallies [sic], much like Berkshire, Mass. Today was the crossing of the mountain, in which I rode most of the way, (Our Knapsacks have been carried since we left Damascus), and tho’ foot sore and wearied I am in good health, and only wish I could step in and tell you my adventures, instead of these miserable scrawls. Arrived here about noon today. We are at the rear of the main army and our next move is very uncertain. You have heard of the battles for the last few days no doubt[.] I cannot tell you half we have scene [sic], and if we don’t get hardened it will not be from want of seeing the victims, in all shapes of suffering, and we have talked with those from the 15th and 21st Reg. Capt Joselyn, of Worcester[,] is wounded and gone to Washington. Saw one of his (Reg) men yesterday and they agreed exactly, in the wrist and back, but will get well. They say he is a good fellow. Boonsboro and the village here are hospitals, every church, school house and many private dwel[l]ings are given up for the same purposes, and as I write, the cannon are heard in two or three directions, and it is supposed Siegel and Burnside are finishing Jackson and his forces, which are said to be hemmed in near Harpers Fer[r]y[.] Two columns of rebel prisiners [sic] went past here today, and near New Market we met some 5000. of our men who were parolled [sic] at Harper’s Ferry. It was a disgraceful affair.
I have given you a rapid and poor account of things, and you may think sad, but we are in good spirits and only hope to see before many days the total destruction of Jackson’s army and the doing up of the Rebellion, which according to those best able to judge here will follow as the “Rebs” are in a most desperate condition.
We hope to be Brigaded soon and so be in better shape in some particulars. Wrote to Frank & Will before leaving Brookville.
No letters from home on the road[.] Direct to Washington as ever[.] See Harpers Weekly for a map of our travels. Will add more tomorrow.
My dearest Allie
After a tedious march of three days and a half in succession, we have reached this place, which is in the very seat of war, and within a short distance of a bloody field, and the victims of which we have met hourly for the last two days. But let me say a word about our march. We left Brookville Weds morning, and went 15 miles, to beyond a miserable village called Damascus, where we camped outdoors in a musty and damp night, and weary I assure you. But after a while we had a ration of hot coffee and had a good nights sleep. Early Thu[r]s morn. moved into Frederick City, about 17 miles, through Monrovia[,] Newmarket, &c. The county is more hilly and N.E. like in Nature but nothing else. Frederick is a pretty place in a valley surrounded by heights, South Mountain &c[.] Yesterday morn. left F.C. and came beyond Middletown, thro’ a beautiful Country but marked by the rebel raid and camped on a beautiful hill[,] a chain, or branch of the Blue Ridge, with a charming view thro’ wide vallies [sic], much like Berkshire, Mass. Today was the crossing of the mountain, in which I rode most of the way, (Our Knapsacks have been carried since we left Damascus), and tho’ foot sore and wearied I am in good health, and only wish I could step in and tell you my adventures, instead of these miserable scrawls. Arrived here about noon today. We are at the rear of the main army and our next move is very uncertain. You have heard of the battles for the last few days no doubt[.] I cannot tell you half we have scene [sic], and if we don’t get hardened it will not be from want of seeing the victims, in all shapes of suffering, and we have talked with those from the 15th and 21st Reg. Capt Joselyn, of Worcester[,] is wounded and gone to Washington. Saw one of his (Reg) men yesterday and they agreed exactly, in the wrist and back, but will get well. They say he is a good fellow. Boonsboro and the village here are hospitals, every church, school house and many private dwel[l]ings are given up for the same purposes, and as I write, the cannon are heard in two or three directions, and it is supposed Siegel and Burnside are finishing Jackson and his forces, which are said to be hemmed in near Harpers Fer[r]y[.] Two columns of rebel prisiners [sic] went past here today, and near New Market we met some 5000. of our men who were parolled [sic] at Harper’s Ferry. It was a disgraceful affair.
I have given you a rapid and poor account of things, and you may think sad, but we are in good spirits and only hope to see before many days the total destruction of Jackson’s army and the doing up of the Rebellion, which according to those best able to judge here will follow as the “Rebs” are in a most desperate condition.
We hope to be Brigaded soon and so be in better shape in some particulars. Wrote to Frank & Will before leaving Brookville.
No letters from home on the road[.] Direct to Washington as ever[.] See Harpers Weekly for a map of our travels. Will add more tomorrow.
Original Format
Letter / Paper
Files
Collection
Reference
Jerome Peirce 1862, From Jerome to Allie, September 20, 1862, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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