From Jerome to Allie, October 14, 1862
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to Allie, October 14, 1862
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Allie
"Point of Rocks", MD.
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
1862-10-14
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
5 X 3 - 1st Scan
5.5 X 8 - 2nd Scan
8 X 10 - 3rd Scan
5.5 X 8 - 4th Scan
jpg
5.5 X 8 - 2nd Scan
8 X 10 - 3rd Scan
5.5 X 8 - 4th Scan
jpg
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #22
Coverage
"Point of Rocks", MD.
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
“Point of Rocks” Md 14 Oct 1862.
My dear Wife,
For the last few days, a life of fatigue, excitement, and change! –
On Sat eve, as I was thinking of getting through Dress Parade, and a quiet Sabbath, with letters to friends, my testament and various pleasant dreams, all was to be changed: As the companies had formed the Col came in, and “put up the Colors”! we are ordered to march, “with noting but overcoats.” This was at 5 P.M. (An aid, or messenger has just come in, and we may have to move again in a moment), and we were soon at the depot, two miles down the road (near Harper’s Ferry) and about 8 Oclock was on the Cars for Frederick City where we arrived before midnight, dark and looking like rain. After a while we we[re] in one of the principle streets, getting rest as best we could, on the sidewalks, doorways and quite cold. And so the night wore away, till Sabbath morn! And what a Sabbath! To be sure we heard the “Church going bells,” and it seemed quite “human” to see Ladies[,] children &c. Well about Six A.M. we marched out to open ground near the city, where we rested till almost noon when “fall in” again, and we marched off towards Washington, about a mile out of City, where we halted, till between three and four P.M. marched back to the city and took the Cars for this place, where we arrived about 8 Oclk A.M., raining, and chilly. marched up a little ways, into the “street” or mud lane, rocks hills and Cornfields and so we passed such a night! It rained and I made out to crawl under some Cornstalks with the Color Sergeant and slept a little for I was tired, for wherever we move we are crowded into small space, and no getting a comfortable position. Well the night passed, got some wet, but I am well and better than I have been for many days. a good providence is shielding me. my Cold is even better, and I begin to think hardship is good for me. Well, this morning we marched down here in a pleasant field near a fine spring, where we [are] waiting the next “turn in affairs.” Mr. Stevens is writing near me. Now, the Cause of all this. A rebel raid again, and good deal of scare! It seemed some Rebel Cavalry had crossed the river, and threatened, even F. City where a large quantity of Stores are Collected, for that is one of the Depots. But with all of our discomfort, stir &c. we have seen seven or eight Reb prisoners, at F. City and one hard looking fellow brought in last eve. The boys are most all quite well, our hot Coffee, brought us to, and we think it on the whole “strangely funny”, and not a little tiresome[.]
We are living very well, and I got some good fruit, apples[,] at F. City and done everything to set my bowels right. Saw some pleasant things in the City--one little boy which looked like Bertie Smith—and being Sabbath day, much that reminded us of the Comforts of home.
There were other Regiments, Cavalry, Artillery &c. and it looked like work for awhile. There was some firing at a distance but the result we know nothing of as yet. It is supposed the Rebs are about here, ready for mischief whenever we are away.
We are on sort of Picket duty, and how long remain, and when we shall go back to camp, Can’t say. We’ve nothing but our Overcoats. Jos. H is unwell—looks like the measles. has returned to camp with a few others, and where I hope we shall be soon, for the thoughts of tents seem like home. I am sitting on the ground, the men eating dinner all around me, and not very private, but I have thought of you all I assure you. Expect there is a mail at the Camp and feel anxious to get it. There are many questions I ought to answer, but forget it, in writing. Do as you feel best about moving all your things to B. Make yourself as little Care and work as possible. My “Swathes” are just the thing[.] Could not do without them. Am taking just as good care of myself as possible, but exposure is inevitable. Don’t know when this will be mailed, but its ready. Am reading the Epistles, as you suggest. Love and kisses for Lulu which she must share with mother. Hope sometime to talk over this adventure for there is a good deal not put down here.
As ever your loving husband
Jerome
My dear Wife,
For the last few days, a life of fatigue, excitement, and change! –
On Sat eve, as I was thinking of getting through Dress Parade, and a quiet Sabbath, with letters to friends, my testament and various pleasant dreams, all was to be changed: As the companies had formed the Col came in, and “put up the Colors”! we are ordered to march, “with noting but overcoats.” This was at 5 P.M. (An aid, or messenger has just come in, and we may have to move again in a moment), and we were soon at the depot, two miles down the road (near Harper’s Ferry) and about 8 Oclock was on the Cars for Frederick City where we arrived before midnight, dark and looking like rain. After a while we we[re] in one of the principle streets, getting rest as best we could, on the sidewalks, doorways and quite cold. And so the night wore away, till Sabbath morn! And what a Sabbath! To be sure we heard the “Church going bells,” and it seemed quite “human” to see Ladies[,] children &c. Well about Six A.M. we marched out to open ground near the city, where we rested till almost noon when “fall in” again, and we marched off towards Washington, about a mile out of City, where we halted, till between three and four P.M. marched back to the city and took the Cars for this place, where we arrived about 8 Oclk A.M., raining, and chilly. marched up a little ways, into the “street” or mud lane, rocks hills and Cornfields and so we passed such a night! It rained and I made out to crawl under some Cornstalks with the Color Sergeant and slept a little for I was tired, for wherever we move we are crowded into small space, and no getting a comfortable position. Well the night passed, got some wet, but I am well and better than I have been for many days. a good providence is shielding me. my Cold is even better, and I begin to think hardship is good for me. Well, this morning we marched down here in a pleasant field near a fine spring, where we [are] waiting the next “turn in affairs.” Mr. Stevens is writing near me. Now, the Cause of all this. A rebel raid again, and good deal of scare! It seemed some Rebel Cavalry had crossed the river, and threatened, even F. City where a large quantity of Stores are Collected, for that is one of the Depots. But with all of our discomfort, stir &c. we have seen seven or eight Reb prisoners, at F. City and one hard looking fellow brought in last eve. The boys are most all quite well, our hot Coffee, brought us to, and we think it on the whole “strangely funny”, and not a little tiresome[.]
We are living very well, and I got some good fruit, apples[,] at F. City and done everything to set my bowels right. Saw some pleasant things in the City--one little boy which looked like Bertie Smith—and being Sabbath day, much that reminded us of the Comforts of home.
There were other Regiments, Cavalry, Artillery &c. and it looked like work for awhile. There was some firing at a distance but the result we know nothing of as yet. It is supposed the Rebs are about here, ready for mischief whenever we are away.
We are on sort of Picket duty, and how long remain, and when we shall go back to camp, Can’t say. We’ve nothing but our Overcoats. Jos. H is unwell—looks like the measles. has returned to camp with a few others, and where I hope we shall be soon, for the thoughts of tents seem like home. I am sitting on the ground, the men eating dinner all around me, and not very private, but I have thought of you all I assure you. Expect there is a mail at the Camp and feel anxious to get it. There are many questions I ought to answer, but forget it, in writing. Do as you feel best about moving all your things to B. Make yourself as little Care and work as possible. My “Swathes” are just the thing[.] Could not do without them. Am taking just as good care of myself as possible, but exposure is inevitable. Don’t know when this will be mailed, but its ready. Am reading the Epistles, as you suggest. Love and kisses for Lulu which she must share with mother. Hope sometime to talk over this adventure for there is a good deal not put down here.
As ever your loving husband
Jerome
Original Format
Letter / Paper
Files
Collection
Reference
Jerome Peirce 1862, From Jerome to Allie, October 14, 1862, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Embed
Copy the code below into your web page