From Jerome to Allie, October 22, 1863

From Jerome to Allie, October 22, 1863

Pierce, Jerome

Allie

Cincinnati. OH

From Jerome to Allie

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service

HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington

1863-10-22

NPS, Civil War Study Group, Peter Rainey (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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(JPG)

English

Text

Letter #170

Cincinnati, OH

Cincinnati Oct 22nd, 1863
My ever dear Wife,
I improve the first opportunity to send you a few lines to assure you of my safe arrival here this morning about 7 o’clk. Left Boston as I expected at half past 2 P.M. Tues. and was not detained and on the whole had a pleasant trip, considering the necessity of again leaving my dear ones but hope all will prove for the best.
Took a stroll over to Covington this morning in hopes to see some of the Orange boys, but they are all at “Camp Dennison”, but I ran upon Sergeant Perry, the Color Sergeant who got sure stuck at Jackson, Miss. He has been home on a furlough. It is doubtful if he is ever fit for field service again, his head troubling [him] very much at the least exertion. He was delighted to see me and [we] had a long chat. Has a family in Winchendon. Says he owes his life to me and some others, Jos. H. and Whipple. He is the one that we took care of at the Black River coming from Jackson, a big fleshy fellow with a great deal of blood.
I can tell you but little news. Had the usual life in the [railroad] cars riding night and day. Slept some and ate mostly in the cars. Kate fitted me out with bread and butter with the greatest care and kindness. Foster was in N.Y.
‘Tis pleasant but cool here, more so than when we left Boston. Have to report at 3 P.M. to see what we shall do. Don’t expect it to go onto the Regt. till a large squad goes that we can take care of ourselves. There is only six in our party and Capt. Holmes and Lieut. Hodgkins.
The way it is working, I shall not be paid off till next Jan., I am afraid. So, I borrowed a little of F.P. & Co. ($10.00) which I will return in due time. Did not dare to be so far from home with so little. Don’t you trouble yourself about [it.] I tell you as I don’t wish to keep anything from you. Shall return it as soon as possible.
Am stopping at the Soldiers’ Home and the “boys” are all about me waiting for dinner. You will hear from Ellen. You had better write me once a week or little more and direct to the Regt. as of old and I shall get them after awhile. Will write you as often as I can.
Am in nice health and shall make it as pleasant as possible but ‘twill be a long time before I hear from you, but you must take good care of yourself and remember my best love and exertions are for you, constantly and I hope to appreciate your love and efforts for our mutual good more than ever and I shall make every trial to better myself as soon as possible.
There’s the usual amount of news about Meade and Rosecrans, the latter I believe is expected here soon, if so, hope to see him.
We had our knapsacks checked to Cincinnati and I so got along with little load. Shall busy myself reading and looking about and never without a thought of my dear ones at home. Many kisses for Lulu and if she can share, you can share. Have just spoke with one [man] of the Brigade (35th Mass.). Says there’s a number of them here. So, we may push on for the Regt. soon.
Love to all and for the present, adieu.
Ever your loving husband,
Jerome

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus)

NOTE 1: There were several men named Perry in the 36th Massachusetts Regiment, and it could not be determined from the Unit History which one Jerome referred to in this letter.

NOTE 2: The “Jos. H.” that Jerome referred to in this letter was 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, (See Letter No. 227) and he was later exchanged. He was discharged on June 21, 1865. Joseph H. Peirce was the son of Joseph Peirce, one of Jerome’s brothers, and was, therefore, Jerome’s nephew.

NOTE 3: Albert B. Whipple enlisted at age 27 as a Corporal from Worcester, Massachusetts on May 12, 1862. He was promoted to Sergeant on May 12, 1864. On December 19, 1864, he was transferred to the Veterans Reserve Corps for disability from wounds he received in action at Petersburg, Virginia, on June 17, 1864.

NOTE 4: Otis W. Holmes, from Milford, Massachusetts, enlisted as a Sergeant at age 27 on September 8, 1861, in the 25th Massachusetts Regiment. He was transferred as a First Lieutenant to Co. F of the 36th Massachusetts on August 12, 1862, and then to Company B of the 36th on May 2, 1863. Holmes died in Harewood General Hospital, Washington, D.C. on June 23, 1864, of wounds received in action near Petersburg, Virginia, on June 17, 1864.

NOTE 5: William H. Hodgkins, from Charlestown, Mass., enlisted as a 22-year-old private in July 1862. He was commissioned as a second lieutenant in October of that year, received steady promotions, and was mustered out with the 36th Massachusetts Regiment as a brevet major. He was the principal author of the Unit History of the regiment titled History of the Thirty-sixth Regiment Massachusetts Volunteers. 1862-1865 which is now available on-line on Google Books.

NOTE 6: Foster Peirce was one of Jerome’s older brothers. The 1850 U.S. Census listed him as being born in 1812, living in Charlestown, Massachusetts, and being in the furniture business. Some of the stationery Jerome used for a few letters was embossed “F. Peirce & Co., Boston, Chair Warehouse”

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