From Jerome to Allie, February 18, 1864

From Jerome to Allie, February 18, 1864

Peirce, Jerome

Allie

Camp near Knoxville, TN.

From Jerome to Allie

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1864-02-18

NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (Transcriber)

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

English

Text

Letter #197

Knoxville, TN.

Camp near Knoxville Tenn 18 Feb 1864

A bitter cold snap for the last three days, with two changes of camp within the same time together with all the policing, smoke, cooking etc. etc. have nearly unfitted me from writing, but still I cannot allow the chance to pass of telling you gladly the back mail was again recd. [received].
But first of our movements. Monday it came on very rainy in the midst of which we moved camp to within a mile of Knoxville, opposite westerly Fort Sanders. Our Co. was to remain behind a few hours to guard the baggage and it was 8 o’clock, nearly eve, before we got to camp. But fortunately it did not rain and we came down on the R. Road track. Tues cold, bitter cold, wind severe and yesterday we moved to this place about a mile further north-west of K [Knoxville].
As usual, we came into a woods, mostly of pine brush, litter, etc. and it is nothing but dust, smoke and chopping. Quite peasant tho. I am sitting outdoor on my knapsack by the fire. A “Johnny Cake” on my little deep tin plate just baked and looks quite tempting and also a pot of desiccated vegetables cooking on the fire. It is more mild and but for a severe cold with swollen eyes, partly from the smoke, I should feel nicely. Should be all right soon.
Today noon had a brigade inspection which was quickly disposed of merely taking a general survey the whole Regt. at rear open order. (Frank will explain.) Well, the letters of yours of Jan. 18, 25-26, Feb 5, with Frank’s enclosed in one and Mr. Clark’s “Invite” etc. and one from Will of Jan 25th which you may know was a perfect “benediction”. Isn’t it strange that none from Boston came. They certainly must have sent cards, etc.? But they’ll come up after awhile.
I have just read yours over again. Ben E was very much pleased with yours to him and sent his regards as ever. He has a great many letter paper, etc. He seems glad that you think so much of Sarah Finney. He has read some of her letters or parts of them to me. Did I tell you what a fine poem he sent his father for his birthday? Very long, funny and tender, a beautiful thing which he read to me and I doubt not made, or will make, both the “laugh and tear” on March 1st. I forgot to mention that the package of stationery came up Tues. and I’m nicely supplied for the present, and stamps also for which all thanks, and may they hear back to you if not “exciting and interesting” letters, at least assurance of my love in all duty.
I do not forget how you must sigh for home, as every true woman does, for it [Note: Insert “is”?] her sanctuary and none [Should be “no one”?] wants more gladly be restored to it than I, as I hope to in due time after contributing my poor ‘mile’ for the good old Flag. Let us cherish faith and hope with the heart’s best treasure, love, and then how sweet will be the meeting! I have mentioned how much I thought of the coming events, the weddings, and I can only repeat my best wishes for the happy pairs. Life has indeed begun for them! And we have reason to expect a full share of life’s blessings for them. Will promises me a letter all about it when he gets settled. But the old home will seem strange for awhile, but oh for the meetings it will bring by and by!
Old Billerica is certainly doing her part nobly her quota full and three of her first ladies on so honorable a mission. How I would like to see them at their work among the “Contrabands” about that vast fortress. It is perfectly astonishing to see how fast the great revolution is working! The Black man being emancipated both in body and mind, Maryland ahead of Mass in anti-slavery sentiment! Arkansas and Missouri and soon E Tenn and Louisiana will follow. This is worth some trials and heartaches, is it not?
You ask if there is a James Roberts in Co. I? Have just come from a short chat with him, next Co. to ours on the right. Mrs. Edmunds is an aunt and a Joe White I think he called him of B. is an uncle. I remember him ever since I’ve been out but never knew his name before for his ways are peculiar somewhat. He is in good health. Enlisted from Marlborough Mass.
What a contrast the weather must be here and with you. Have cold but no snow and not cold long at a time. Much of the direfullest kind, just like putty only red when it rains, which it has not much of late. [On] the whole it has been beautiful weather.
We are being fed much more plentifully of late and I, of course, feel better. Troops are coming in from other points and we expect now soon to be relieved and go North ere long. It is much milder here and so we go. It is well, for the cold would take hold severely now.
It seems the four new Regts. (Eddie Brown is in one of them.) 56th etc. and are to join the 9 A.C. [Ninth Army Corps] I imagine we’re going eventually to N. Carolina a few days more and our term is half out! I have no sad presentments of the future and hope largely to see the end of the Rebellion by the close of our term and then!
Hope you are fully restored from the jar of the late accident. ‘twas indeed a narrow escape! I told you of my presentment[???] in a previous letter.
You have not told me much of Joe. Is he in Lowell at the roofing business? Will mentioned that he thought of attempting it.
Shall be most happy to hear from Mr. Galloway. I think of him as the good pastor and my situation of late makes writing very hard and I should do more of it. Finney sent me a paper with the enclosed verses. I send them to you hoping they are not without language to us. They certainly do with me.
What can I say to Lulu today? Am glad she loves her book but don’t care to have too much. I want her first good then healthy life. I shall find her quite a “lift” when I come home. If we go North hope for a chance to see home again but as I have been once expect[ing?] I shall have to stand back.
You must have had a merry time with such a house-full. Mary must write me once in awhile before she is Mrs-ed! But I must close. J.H. have not seen for two days, some ways to Hd. Quarters and he has no horse now. Is well. Have quite a conclave of the Orange boys over the camp fire now.
Love as ever to all. Tell mother I should like a piece of pie for supper tonight.
As ever your loving husband
Jerome

Excuse this soiled sheet. Almost impossible to keep clean from one moment to another. No indication of my general status.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES

NOTE 1: Per the Unit History: December 20, 1863 – April 6, 1864. The regiment moved numerous times in eastern Tennessee, including in the Knoxville area, before being ordered to move by train, by way of Baltimore, to Annapolis, Maryland, where it arrived on April 6, 1864. During this time, the lack of adequate rations, clothing and equipment presented more challenges to the men than did the Confederates.
NOTE 2: “Johnny cakes” came about in the South before the Civil War and became part of the soldiers’ meals during the War. The cakes were made from white cornmeal and had no eggs, sugar or syrup. They were fried on a hot, cast-iron pan, sometimes in bacon drippings.
NOTE 3: Desiccated vegetables were vegetables that had been dried to preserve them. They were reconstituted with hot/boiling water.
NOTE 4: “Contraband” was a term commonly used during the Civil War to describe a new status for certain escaped slaves or those who affiliated with Union forces. The Army (and the United States Congress) determined that the U.S. would not return escaped slaves who went to Union lines and classified them as contraband. They used many as laborers to support Union efforts and soon began to pay them wages. The former slaves set up camps near Union forces, and the Army helped support and educate both adults and children among the refugees. Thousands of men from these camps enlisted in the United States Colored Troops when recruitment started in 1863. At war's end, more than 100 contraband camps existed in the South.
NOTE 5: In his letter dated March 5, 1864, he used a flyer advertising the roofing business that Joseph Jaquith was engaged in for one page of that letter he sent to Allie. As indicated in it, Jerome was short of stationery when he wrote it. Allie’s maiden name was Jaquith, and the Joseph Jaquith referred to in the flyer is almost certainly Allie’s brother Joseph who was born in 1842. The flyer advertises a patented elastic roofing material to fireproof and waterproof roofs as well as roofing cement for pointing chimneys, etc. by a company located on Warren St. in Lowell, Massachusetts. Joseph Jaquith is listed as the Agent, with Wm. G. Clark of 67 Haverhill St., Boston, Massachusetts, being the General Agent.
NOTE 6: The “J.H.” Jerome referred to in this letter, and frequently in other letters, was almost certainly 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 and was later exchanged. He was discharged on June 21, 1865. Joseph H. Peirce was a nephew of Jerome.

Letter / Paper