From Jerome to Allie, November 1, 1862
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to Allie, November 1, 1862
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Allie
Waterford, VA. [Loudoun County]
Description
From Jerome to Allie
Creator
Peirce, Jerome
Source
Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service
Publisher
HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Date
1862-11-01
Contributor
NPS, Civil Waa 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
5.55 X 3.08 - 1st Scan
5.08 X 8.12 - 2nd Scan
9.86 X 8.16 - 3rd Scan
5.08 X 8.12 - 4th Scan
5.08 X 8.12 - 2nd Scan
9.86 X 8.16 - 3rd Scan
5.08 X 8.12 - 4th Scan
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #29
Coverage
Waterford, VA. [Loudoun County}
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Waterford Va (Loudo[u]n County)
Sat Eve 1st Nov 1862.
My own dear Wife,
All is stir and Commotion in Camp, and I have but a few moments to write you as we have got to “rally out” and get three days rations for a march on the morrow, Sunday again, Sabbath for the soldier!
The mail arrived today, and how eagerly was it received! Letters from you dear Self and Lulu—bless my little darling and a thousand kisses. Sister Abbie, beautiful as ever. Sister Martha Haynes! kindly and affectionate, will reply as soon as possible. Also Edwd Peirce, and two papers, from Mary at O. and Abbie (Register).
I hope you will receive this at Billerica where I should like to form one of the Circle. Have been interrupted to get rations and if you Could see what we have you would not think we would starve. My haversack and part of knapsack, stuffed with nice hard bread, unusually white and clean, Salt Pork, very nice, and I have become a great lover of it raw (with mustard) or fried, Coffee, Sugar, Molasses--two little bottles full. We Cook a great deal, and have studied up some rare dishes, with apples, hard bread &c. We have another ration of fresh meat so we have nice steak, occasionally.
We have lived far better than I expected, on the whole, so you need not feel concerned. So much about that part, and it is far better and healthier for us to live on our rations, and I really love them and have a grand appetite. A little event yesterday. Got a pass out with Henry M. at noon, got a nice dinner, sat at a table and in chairs for the first time since leaving Mass. Two agreeable Quaker ladies, chatty and good union people. Had fried Ham, nice bread, sauce peach, apple, tomatoes, and other des[s]ert, pumpkin and Apple pies. So we lived for once in “old Virginia.[“] Told them of my family at home, and they seemed to feel deeply the necessity of our Coming from home &c[.] This Country has been strongly for the Union, and the town in particular. It is quite a Village, and a Co of Cavalry was raised here.
I wrote a letter the day we left the last Camp, the “Crossing of the Potomac” &c but we have been favored since. It is a beautiful Country, far ahead of Md, and if Yankees could live here a few years it would be still better. The land is rolling, and mountains in the distant [sic] on every hand. Had a good march, about (ten miles)[.] I never bore one as well, and they all tell me I am a “tough one”, so you may feel for the present at least, that I am spared for some good end, I trust. We have done little here but wait for provision trains, and let other divisions move on on [sic] past us. I expect we go to Leesburg tomorrow. My impression is, and I have [heard] it expressed by several, is that we move on to crowd the Rebs into the mountains, where they must starve, fight, or surrender, and so spare life on our side. at the same time, a move up from the South to Richmond, and Congress, Combined will bring things to a close, for all feel that it can’t go on a great while, and I think so. I feel in the best of spirits, study to keep well and cheerful, and grow to the work daily.
One thing I must mention. “They say” the letters from here are detained at Washington some days, on account of the movements that are going on. While we get yours the third day, and it seems as tho’ we were near home.
I read with much interest, and satisfaction, of your visits at the Harringtons, &c. I want you to go about all you can, and feel that I am in a good work and trying to do my part as becomes a good soldier, and we must trust that all will end well.
You did not tell me what you done with the things. I hope they will not be molested. Please send me extra sheets of paper pretty often, as in our large moves the ISutlersI cannot follow us, and it is hard to get passes to go beyond the lines, so even stationa[r]y will be a scarce article.
You need not attempt to send me many things, but I wish you would send a silk Colored handkerchief. it will take but a stamp or two. send in a letter, for packages Came today by mail-- Mittens, gloves, and such things, (I have some good gloves, that Albert S gave me), so that I need nothing but the Hdkf.
You ask how we wash &c. We get along nicely. Plenty of soap, and good too, and wood and water is a consideration whenever we halt. there is a brook about six roods [sic] from my tent, and I expected to have washed my woollen [sic] shirt today—rest tomorrow. read the Register, and write, but have learned to expect everything and anything. I Keep clean, and have no trouble from vermin or anything of the kind[.] you would see no change, only darker skin and my last winter’s beard.
Got a nice bedding of Straw today, and shall sleep warm tonight[.] have not suffered in that line. It is quite mild. Could have bathed comfortably today, and as we are moving South shall not suffer at present. We have our hardships, but we find much that is very pleasant, and become habituated to what would seem to you hard things. Our general fare is much better than my excursion to Thompsons pond, that summer, especially in the way of sleeping. I may not think to answer all your questions, but you must repeat them. On the last march Came upon one or two pretty feathers, in the road, which I send for book marks for Lulu. I hope she will be careful of them, for her papa’s sake, and the associations, for I catched at them quick, while in full step, with crowd front and rear, and my load to steady &c. One is a guinea hen, which abound here. They have solid stone churches here, without spires, standing off in the fields, shaded by trees, and grave yard near by, and looking quite picturesque (do I spell the last word aright?) We passed one Called Rehoboth. They all have some Scriptural, or pretty name.
It is late, and must close, for the hour is long past 1/2 past 8 for “out lights,” but a great many are writing, and they seem disposed to give us time for a word.
Tell Abbie I appreciated the picture of the scene at the Drs[?] Sund[ay] Eve, but oh what a contrast to where I was! refer her to my last letter. Will write her when I can, but on the march all is uncertain and time is not our own, but give her much love. Mr Stevens & H. Boyden were left at the hospital in Weaverton Md. Boyden was not very well--weak from Measles. Mr S. I did not suppose, unable to come on. Some get detailed to act as nurses in hospitals. he may do so—has not come up yet. I may add a word in the morn, if not, Adieu. love to all from you[r] loving, wand[er]ing husband[.]
Jerome
Sat Eve 1st Nov 1862.
My own dear Wife,
All is stir and Commotion in Camp, and I have but a few moments to write you as we have got to “rally out” and get three days rations for a march on the morrow, Sunday again, Sabbath for the soldier!
The mail arrived today, and how eagerly was it received! Letters from you dear Self and Lulu—bless my little darling and a thousand kisses. Sister Abbie, beautiful as ever. Sister Martha Haynes! kindly and affectionate, will reply as soon as possible. Also Edwd Peirce, and two papers, from Mary at O. and Abbie (Register).
I hope you will receive this at Billerica where I should like to form one of the Circle. Have been interrupted to get rations and if you Could see what we have you would not think we would starve. My haversack and part of knapsack, stuffed with nice hard bread, unusually white and clean, Salt Pork, very nice, and I have become a great lover of it raw (with mustard) or fried, Coffee, Sugar, Molasses--two little bottles full. We Cook a great deal, and have studied up some rare dishes, with apples, hard bread &c. We have another ration of fresh meat so we have nice steak, occasionally.
We have lived far better than I expected, on the whole, so you need not feel concerned. So much about that part, and it is far better and healthier for us to live on our rations, and I really love them and have a grand appetite. A little event yesterday. Got a pass out with Henry M. at noon, got a nice dinner, sat at a table and in chairs for the first time since leaving Mass. Two agreeable Quaker ladies, chatty and good union people. Had fried Ham, nice bread, sauce peach, apple, tomatoes, and other des[s]ert, pumpkin and Apple pies. So we lived for once in “old Virginia.[“] Told them of my family at home, and they seemed to feel deeply the necessity of our Coming from home &c[.] This Country has been strongly for the Union, and the town in particular. It is quite a Village, and a Co of Cavalry was raised here.
I wrote a letter the day we left the last Camp, the “Crossing of the Potomac” &c but we have been favored since. It is a beautiful Country, far ahead of Md, and if Yankees could live here a few years it would be still better. The land is rolling, and mountains in the distant [sic] on every hand. Had a good march, about (ten miles)[.] I never bore one as well, and they all tell me I am a “tough one”, so you may feel for the present at least, that I am spared for some good end, I trust. We have done little here but wait for provision trains, and let other divisions move on on [sic] past us. I expect we go to Leesburg tomorrow. My impression is, and I have [heard] it expressed by several, is that we move on to crowd the Rebs into the mountains, where they must starve, fight, or surrender, and so spare life on our side. at the same time, a move up from the South to Richmond, and Congress, Combined will bring things to a close, for all feel that it can’t go on a great while, and I think so. I feel in the best of spirits, study to keep well and cheerful, and grow to the work daily.
One thing I must mention. “They say” the letters from here are detained at Washington some days, on account of the movements that are going on. While we get yours the third day, and it seems as tho’ we were near home.
I read with much interest, and satisfaction, of your visits at the Harringtons, &c. I want you to go about all you can, and feel that I am in a good work and trying to do my part as becomes a good soldier, and we must trust that all will end well.
You did not tell me what you done with the things. I hope they will not be molested. Please send me extra sheets of paper pretty often, as in our large moves the ISutlersI cannot follow us, and it is hard to get passes to go beyond the lines, so even stationa[r]y will be a scarce article.
You need not attempt to send me many things, but I wish you would send a silk Colored handkerchief. it will take but a stamp or two. send in a letter, for packages Came today by mail-- Mittens, gloves, and such things, (I have some good gloves, that Albert S gave me), so that I need nothing but the Hdkf.
You ask how we wash &c. We get along nicely. Plenty of soap, and good too, and wood and water is a consideration whenever we halt. there is a brook about six roods [sic] from my tent, and I expected to have washed my woollen [sic] shirt today—rest tomorrow. read the Register, and write, but have learned to expect everything and anything. I Keep clean, and have no trouble from vermin or anything of the kind[.] you would see no change, only darker skin and my last winter’s beard.
Got a nice bedding of Straw today, and shall sleep warm tonight[.] have not suffered in that line. It is quite mild. Could have bathed comfortably today, and as we are moving South shall not suffer at present. We have our hardships, but we find much that is very pleasant, and become habituated to what would seem to you hard things. Our general fare is much better than my excursion to Thompsons pond, that summer, especially in the way of sleeping. I may not think to answer all your questions, but you must repeat them. On the last march Came upon one or two pretty feathers, in the road, which I send for book marks for Lulu. I hope she will be careful of them, for her papa’s sake, and the associations, for I catched at them quick, while in full step, with crowd front and rear, and my load to steady &c. One is a guinea hen, which abound here. They have solid stone churches here, without spires, standing off in the fields, shaded by trees, and grave yard near by, and looking quite picturesque (do I spell the last word aright?) We passed one Called Rehoboth. They all have some Scriptural, or pretty name.
It is late, and must close, for the hour is long past 1/2 past 8 for “out lights,” but a great many are writing, and they seem disposed to give us time for a word.
Tell Abbie I appreciated the picture of the scene at the Drs[?] Sund[ay] Eve, but oh what a contrast to where I was! refer her to my last letter. Will write her when I can, but on the march all is uncertain and time is not our own, but give her much love. Mr Stevens & H. Boyden were left at the hospital in Weaverton Md. Boyden was not very well--weak from Measles. Mr S. I did not suppose, unable to come on. Some get detailed to act as nurses in hospitals. he may do so—has not come up yet. I may add a word in the morn, if not, Adieu. love to all from you[r] loving, wand[er]ing husband[.]
Jerome
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Letter / Paper
Files
Collection
Reference
Peirce, Jerome 1862, From Jerome to Allie, November 1, 1862, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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