From Jerome to Allie, February 17, 1863

From Jerome to Allie, February 17, 1863

Peirce, Jerome

Allie

Newport News, VA.

From Jerome to Allie

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1863-02-17

NPS, Civil War Study Group, Jim Lloyd (Transcriber)

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

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English

Text

Letter #75

Newport News, VA.

Newport News, VA 17th Feb 1863
My dearest Wife,
Yours of the 12th, 13th letter came last eve [evening] and you know how welcome it was.
It is a very rainy day and J. H. and Corporal Sawin (of Westminster) my additional tent-mate with myself are all busily engaged in writing to loved ones at home. The change of camp has caused some change of formalities and Corpl. S[awin] has joined us and if we can get the new tents, we shall have five in a tent. Don’t know who will constitute the others yet. It is an ugly storm, not so very cold but wet and as the soil here is sandy we have no fears of the mud, which gave such a dismal appearance to the camp at F [Falmouth] the last part of our stay there.
Well, I have much I would like to say and what shall I begin with? You know how confused one feels when first in process of moving. If we first had expected so much delay in receiving our tents, should have finished ours regardless of orders as if we have only half of one pitched, raised with logs and a fireplace but no chimney, so fires inside is out of the question. We can stand erect and that is something but you see we are hardly convalescent as yet from morning. It is raining harder and the wind is rising, we imagine it knows at the North. We had just such a storm at F [Falmouth].
I wrote you on Sunday, No. 1 from N.P., enclosing $5.00 more. I hope you will receive all ($10.00). I was obliged to have a new blanket and had a chance to get one of one of the Co. cheaper than the Gov furnishes and better so I bought it, $1.75, and some little things, so I could not send you all I would have liked to, but we expect another payday soon and you shall be remembered to the best of my ability.
Your letters do me so much good, but the thought of you going to work troubles me a great deal and “going into a shop” must not be thought of as moment for little Lulu must not be exposed to any such life for you know if she was with you she would see strangers more or less. When I think what the soldiers of the Union are doing, the thought that their families should suffer one moment’s anxiety in addition to the fearful fact of a separation from their husbands and fathers, I know not what to say or think. But let us hope for something and I will not suggest anything now but I am denying and will more than ever myself for your dear sakes and I can honestly assure you that I have asked for nothing and have bought nothing but what went to benefit me in health and spirit and so far I have kept both and that is everything here and could you witness some of the sad ones of “low spirits” with bad health and a grave soon following, you would say keep both health and spirits at any cost. Could you look in upon us now, you (and any of the friends not used to war scenes) would think there was little to sustain the bright side but instead we can hear singing and joking in the neighboring tents and we see now few sober faces.
We have as I have said before a lovely place for a camp and I am [???] so much for spring, for the country is “sunny south” indeed in these beautiful shores of the “James” [River] and how many incidents of the olden and later times have I recalled to mind. The early settlement of Va [Virginia] in this vicinity and but a little ways from here some 15 miles are Little Bethel and Big B[ethel] where the fight was and where Winthrop fell, that [who] has written “John Brent” and other good books and since I commenced occasionally hear the big guns from the monitors and gun barrels in the river, practicing I presume.
The rain is beating in so as to wet my paper sadly. I fear I shall have to close my letter for I find it hard to think or say anything it is so uncomfortable.
Last eve. Corpl. S[awin] got a box from home and he showed some of his things brown bread, doughnuts, cheese, cake, pies etc. I should not expect you to send one for we can now get things and too we will live better than formerly. Have soft bread every day, fruit quite [often].
Shea called on the Capt. [Capt. Sawyer, Commanding Officer of Company H] this morn. He got a box last eve. Gave me a piece of cake had received your “sermon” and wished me “to present his particular compliments for your favor.” I told him how much you thought of him in connection with me, how little Lulu talked about him etc. etc. He is an excellent man and could I see you, could tell you some little things. I told him you looked upon him sort of as a father to me and Lieut. Gird (a 1st) spoke up “and he must be father-in-law to her (you)”. Gird is a pleasant fine fellow, but somewhat odd and very large, a little of the C. F. Smith style but I like him and am in good standing with both of them for the simple reason that I try to do my whole duty and sympathy of taste for Capt. S[awyer] as a scholar and Lt. Gird was an editor or had something to do with a paper in Fitchburg or Worcester some time ago before the war. He has lived in both places.
I send you a march, Army worn diary kept on board the steamer for the most part, but I thought you would think all the more of it being so soiled.
I forgot to mention that I had some delightful chats and reading with Ben E. and his nephew Geo. on board. Geo. E is a lover of good reading and has my Shakespeare now till I get settled. We were reading “Julius Caesar” on the boat together, when Jim Canfield, the chaplain, came along and asked if he (Geo.) “carried that”. It is Corpl. P.’s [Peirce’s] said he, turning to me. I explained how I got it and told him he could get one. Said he had been wanting just such an one. Asked me about my residence in C. [Charlestown] and how I came in Co. H. etc. etc., a pleasant chat followed and on the war etc. Was in Ben E’s [tent] last eve. Had a box of “goodies” as they call them, gave me an apple. J. H. has been very set upon a box and spoke to Aunt Sarah [in] Jamestown quite cooly as I thought altho. she had mentioned the matter first. She has promised as you see, to send one. And this reminds that J. H. wants to have her letter sent to O. [Orange], to his folks. It was directed to him I didn’t think at first but if you’ll forward ‘twill [it will] be all right. I will send you a letter from Mr. Mayo. I answered it yesterday, four pages.
Regarding scriptures and religious matters, I have not been able yet to think enough to say much this time. Have to take precious care of books this time or they’ll get wet. Intended to have read up something but last eve. looked at “Dew Drops”. I carry it in my watch pocket and the text for 16th Deut. was “Give me more wisdom and knowledge” from Chron.
The things, papers with brush, thread, stamps, etc. all safe.
Many thanks and little L’s [Lulu’s, i.e., Jerome and Allie’s daughter] sewing. She is a dear good child to think of working for Papie [Papa, i.e., Jerome]. I still feel that we shall all meet again and if you can be all spared to greet me, how little shall I regret the part I have acted.
There is many comments made in the difference of letters from the Army. We that are cheerful endure as much as any but we keep healthy for one thing and it is something to do that. It is raining fearfully and ‘tis dripping thru. I intended to have written Abbie but fear shall not mail it today as it goes at noon. Don’t think of boxes or anything but that I am well, safe even happy, that we have a pleasant camp and a good cause, and this camp seems to have changed the spirit of the whole Army.
I took a plunge in the river yesterday, merely plunged in and rubbed myself down and was warm right away.
We are collecting water in a dipper and throwing it out so you can imagine how it comes.
I think I spoke of the unfavorable news from Alonzo. Have heard nothing since my last. I hope for better news but it looks dark now. Spoke with the Capt. about furloughs. He said this morning that it looked dubious as Gen Dix had respectfully refused some lately. I have not allowed myself to think much about it and trust we can bear the disappointment for it would indeed be hard to come away if I were at home.
As ever your loving husband with many kisses for self and Lulu.
Jerome

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (James Lloyd and Josef Rokus)

NOTE 1: The Battle of Big Bethel was one of the earliest land battles of the American Civil War. It took place on the Virginia Peninsula, near Newport News, on June 10, 1861. The Union forces suffered 76 casualties, with 18 killed, including Maj. Theodore Winthrop and Lt. John T. Greble. Lt. Greble the first regular army officer killed in the war.

NOTE 2: Major Theodore Woolsey Winthrop (1828 – 1861) was a writer, lawyer, and world traveler. He was one of the first Union officers killed in the Civil War. At the Battle of Big Bethel on June 10, 1861, he drew up a crude plan of battle. After a Federal attack to the enemy right flank was foiled, Winthrop led an ill-fated assault on the Confederate left. In the heat of battle, Major Winthrop leapt onto the trunk of a fallen tree and reportedly yelled, "One more charge boys, and the day is ours." Soon thereafter, he was killed by a musket ball to the heart and became the first casualty of rank for the Northern side in what history regards as the first pitched land battle of the Civil War. Winthrop's novels, for which he had failed to find a publisher during his lifetime, appeared posthumously. They include “John Brent,” founded on his experiences in the far West.

NOTE 3: A monitor was a relatively small warship which was neither fast nor strongly armored but carried disproportionately large guns. They were used by some navies from the 1860s, during the First World War and with limited use in the Second World War. During the Vietnam War they were used by the United States Navy. The original monitor was designed by John Ericsson in 1861 who named it USS Monitor. They were designed for shallow waters and served as coastal ships.

NOTE 4: "Dew Drops" was a miniature book measuring about 1 1/2" by 2 1/8" which was published by the American Tract Society. It was a miniature inspirational book of daily devotions with a bible verse for each day of the year and was 128 pages in length. The American Tract Society was founded in 1825 for publishing Christian literature. The title “Dew Drops” is taken from a verse from Deuteronomy, pictured on the title page "My speech shall distill as the dew.”

NOTE 5: On wisdom and knowledge 2 Chronicles 1:10: “Give me wisdom and knowledge, that I may lead this people, for who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

NOTE 6: 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 7: The following information about the men in his company he mentions in the letter was obtained from the Unit History. All three were no longer Jerome’s comrades when Jerome was killed on May 11, 1864, at Spotsylvania Court House.
Captain Christopher enlisted from Templeton, Massachusetts, at age 28 on August 22, 1862. He served as the commanding officer of Company H, 36th Massachusetts Infantry, until February 19, 1864, when he was discharged for disability.
LT. Joseph W. Gird enlisted from Fitchburg, Massachusetts, at age 22 as a Private in Company F of the 25th Massachusetts Volunteers on October 4, 1861. On August 11, 1862, he was appointed First Lieutenant of the 36th Massachusetts Infantry Regiment but resigned on May 18, 1863. He was appointed Second Lieutenant in the 57th Massachusetts Volunteers on November 3, 1863, and was promoted in that regiment to Captain on December 31, 1863. Lieut. Gird was killed in action on May 6, 1864, at the Battle of the Wilderness, just a few days before Jerome was killed.
Corporal Farwell Sawin was 31 years old when he enlisted as a Corporal from Westminster, Massachusetts, on August 11, 1862, i.e., seven days after Jerome enlisted. On August 9, 1863, he died of disease at Vicksburg, Mississippi.

Letter/Paper