From Jerome to Allie, February 28, 1864

From Jerome to Allie, February 28, 1864

Peirce, Jerome

Allie

In the field. [Likely in Knoxville, TN. area]

From Jerome to Allie

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1864-02-28

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 #198

Knoxville, TN.

In the field. Sunday morning Feb. 28/64
Ever dear Allie,
I wrote you a few days ago [???] just as we got orders to move. Thought it might be pleasant to hear a word thru Mr. S. I am without knapsack and many little things. Please send me a little thread, black alone will do and a darning needle, also a sheet and envelope, as I don’t know when my things will come up. Have only one more envelope and most of the boys are in the same fix.
We still wait, drawing clothing this morning, a poor arrangement for we can’t carry it if we have it. My health is pretty good, a boil bothers me, feet better. Letters don’t all come up. Have not got the folks’. Mr. S’s I received yesterday, just as we camped a pleasant find [???] to meet me. Don’t know when I can mail this. Joe seems fairly set to work. Success to him!

The following text was written on the top of Page 1, above the location and salutation:
The “extract” was very pretty and true and what soldiers have to act upon a great deal. A kiss for Lulu. Yours of 15th received. As you will see by the above, will write when I can.
Love and as ever,
Jerome

P.S. A little later. Have ascertained “what’s up”. We’re off tomorrow for Bristol, Va. or that direction, a grand advance. Shall go in “light order” with several days of rations and don’t know when I shall write again as it is uncertain when I get my things. The Spring Campaign is fairly opened. Have one more envelope and a slip or two more of paper and will write as I can. Am at Hd Quarters with Joe H. He is posted and gave me information. Hope and believe too that the next two months will decide much. Don’t worry about me. A few days of work will set me all right. Some 120 miles before us. Teams carry part of the rations. Of course you will not think strange if you don’t hear for some time. As far as we can learn the rebs are falling back and are demoralized. Ten came in this morning to take the oath, belong in Ark [Arkansas]. Sent them to Gen. Schofield. J.H. things are back and he may not be able to write immediately. Mention if you write to Orange. J.H. will mail this.

Transcriber’s Note: The following note was written in the center of the back of Page 1:

Mrs. Jerome Peirce
Present.


TRANSCRIBERS NOTES

NOTE 1: Although no specific location from where Jerome wrote this letter is indicated, the letters he wrote immediately before and after this letter were written from Knoxville, Tenn., and Mossy Creek, East. Tenn., respectively. Therefore, the regiment must have been camped in eastern Tennessee, in the Knoxville area. See also Note 2.

NOTE 2: 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.

NOTE 3: The “J.H.” or “Joe H.” Jerome referred to in this letter, as well as in other letters, was almost definitely 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