From Jerome to Allie, January 6, 1864
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to Allie, January 6, 1864
Subject
Pierce, Jerome
Allie
Blaine's Cross Roads, TN
Description
From Jerome to Allie
Creator
Jerome Pierce
Source
Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service
Publisher
HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Date
1864-01-06
Contributor
NPS, Civil War Study Group, Josef Rokus (transcriber)
Rights
For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904).
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #188
Coverage
Blaine's Cross Roads, TN
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Blans [Blaines] Cross Roads, E. Tenn. Etc.
6th Jan. 1864
My dearest Allie,
I wrote you as usual at Billerica on Mond. [Monday], intended to on Sund. [Sunday] but could not, being so very uncomfortable and disturbed by the severe cold weather but if you chance to be at Boston when this reaches you with Ellen’s I knew you would be disappointed if I did not have at least a word for you which I hope I shall always.
Here I sit by the fire, paper and writing materials strewed all about me. And what shall I say? Nothing new since Monday only that my tent is more roomy and I expect to take some little comfort reading papers, writing and thinking of you at home. Yesterday wrote a family letter to Billerica and to Jamestown N.Y. Hope to pay my debts in this line sometime.
Allie, I always enjoy knowing that you are in “town” and enjoying yourself with the friends and sights and keeping your mind fresh and I trust you will see the brightest side to all things.
[Transcriber’s Note: The next four lines of the letter have been heavily crossed out with what appears to be a black pencil to make them illegible.]
Your last [letter] with Ellen’s I enjoyed so much. The picture of the friends assembled about you, one reading, Edwd. at the piano, you going to church, Foster’s new book and I always like to know what books he reads. Saw a notice of it and expect it must be very interesting and I think he (and Gen. B. [Burnside]) is one of the institutions of this war. The “Fair” must have been a magnificent affair. Ben and I sat in his tent and read all about it in the Journal. His bro [bother] Isaac is very kind and sends many papers. “Journal”, “Independent” and many from others and forms the Reading Room of the Co. if not the Regt.
News from Orange is not plenty, no great change there, but I’m glad you keep up correspondence with friends there for it is appreciated I think as Henry M. [Almost certainly “Mayo”] speaks of it.
Had a letter from Charles Smith. Spoke of the gathering etc. I wrote to the ‘Socials’ from Tazewell early so they might receive it in time. Directed it to Finney. You spoke of being pleased etc. that I was in the Com. [Commissary] Dept. We have to learn. I am satisfied that I am better off in the Regt. and besides I should have to report and if you get my last [Insert “letter”] of Monday last, you will see I got help immediately and now you can see the progress and I think for awhile of your little Sergeant and of four dollars a month more although it may be sometime before I can recruit safely, yet I will have a case that you and our darling are remembered. So look cheerfully into the future.
Don’t think me thoughtless of how your headaches sometimes and how faithfully you strive. I know all and love you more than I can tell for it and feel that a better day must come by and by out of all this trying and we need only turn to the good book to find comfort and promise. Days are short, but I mean to glean all the comforts I can wherever I am. Did you receive the letter from Tazewell with the little picture of a ‘deer’ for Lulu directing you to send to the care of Lieut. Cross etc.? Be particular and tell me what letters you get. This my second to you this year. Your last was “4th in Dec.”
My chimney is built on the front of the tent this time on one side of the end thus [Note: He included a small sketch of his tent.] while my rubber blanket serves for a door. Logs lined with stone and plastered up forms the fireplace and the whole [???] so I can almost stand erect and sit nicely on pine boughs and thus I greet you once more. Do you have any time to read? I wish you could some, just something to cheer and keep in mind something besides work, work for you need it. So do steal a moment once in a while and tell me about it. Some favorite passage in the Scriptures. “Isiah” is a beautiful book full of poetry and comfort and promise.
A kiss for Lulu and always for you and the love of your
Jerome
I enclose a dollar to get some stamps. Have had to get me some gloves, shoes etc. and must keep a little by me.
6th Jan. 1864
My dearest Allie,
I wrote you as usual at Billerica on Mond. [Monday], intended to on Sund. [Sunday] but could not, being so very uncomfortable and disturbed by the severe cold weather but if you chance to be at Boston when this reaches you with Ellen’s I knew you would be disappointed if I did not have at least a word for you which I hope I shall always.
Here I sit by the fire, paper and writing materials strewed all about me. And what shall I say? Nothing new since Monday only that my tent is more roomy and I expect to take some little comfort reading papers, writing and thinking of you at home. Yesterday wrote a family letter to Billerica and to Jamestown N.Y. Hope to pay my debts in this line sometime.
Allie, I always enjoy knowing that you are in “town” and enjoying yourself with the friends and sights and keeping your mind fresh and I trust you will see the brightest side to all things.
[Transcriber’s Note: The next four lines of the letter have been heavily crossed out with what appears to be a black pencil to make them illegible.]
Your last [letter] with Ellen’s I enjoyed so much. The picture of the friends assembled about you, one reading, Edwd. at the piano, you going to church, Foster’s new book and I always like to know what books he reads. Saw a notice of it and expect it must be very interesting and I think he (and Gen. B. [Burnside]) is one of the institutions of this war. The “Fair” must have been a magnificent affair. Ben and I sat in his tent and read all about it in the Journal. His bro [bother] Isaac is very kind and sends many papers. “Journal”, “Independent” and many from others and forms the Reading Room of the Co. if not the Regt.
News from Orange is not plenty, no great change there, but I’m glad you keep up correspondence with friends there for it is appreciated I think as Henry M. [Almost certainly “Mayo”] speaks of it.
Had a letter from Charles Smith. Spoke of the gathering etc. I wrote to the ‘Socials’ from Tazewell early so they might receive it in time. Directed it to Finney. You spoke of being pleased etc. that I was in the Com. [Commissary] Dept. We have to learn. I am satisfied that I am better off in the Regt. and besides I should have to report and if you get my last [Insert “letter”] of Monday last, you will see I got help immediately and now you can see the progress and I think for awhile of your little Sergeant and of four dollars a month more although it may be sometime before I can recruit safely, yet I will have a case that you and our darling are remembered. So look cheerfully into the future.
Don’t think me thoughtless of how your headaches sometimes and how faithfully you strive. I know all and love you more than I can tell for it and feel that a better day must come by and by out of all this trying and we need only turn to the good book to find comfort and promise. Days are short, but I mean to glean all the comforts I can wherever I am. Did you receive the letter from Tazewell with the little picture of a ‘deer’ for Lulu directing you to send to the care of Lieut. Cross etc.? Be particular and tell me what letters you get. This my second to you this year. Your last was “4th in Dec.”
My chimney is built on the front of the tent this time on one side of the end thus [Note: He included a small sketch of his tent.] while my rubber blanket serves for a door. Logs lined with stone and plastered up forms the fireplace and the whole [???] so I can almost stand erect and sit nicely on pine boughs and thus I greet you once more. Do you have any time to read? I wish you could some, just something to cheer and keep in mind something besides work, work for you need it. So do steal a moment once in a while and tell me about it. Some favorite passage in the Scriptures. “Isiah” is a beautiful book full of poetry and comfort and promise.
A kiss for Lulu and always for you and the love of your
Jerome
I enclose a dollar to get some stamps. Have had to get me some gloves, shoes etc. and must keep a little by me.
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES
NOTE 1: “Blans Cross Roads” in eastern Tennessee could not be found on a current map. However, the town of Blaine is located approximately twenty miles northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee. The envelope for this letter bears the postmark of Knoxville, Tennessee. Also, in his letter dated January 10, 1864, three days after this letter, Jerome indicates that he was “Near Blaine Cross Roads, Tenn.” The envelope for this letter is also postmarked Knoxville. Therefore, he almost certainly was located near the present town of Blaine, Tennessee, in early January 1864.
NOTE 2: It is interesting to note that he mentions his increase in pay as the result of being promoted from corporal to sergeant on January 1, 1864, just prior to the date of this letter. His monthly pay increased from $13.00 to $17.00 as the result of the promotion. It also appears that as the result of his promotion, he was moved to the Commissary Department of his regiment.
NOTE 3: Henry Mayo, also from Orange, Massachusetts, enlisted in on the same date, August 4, 1862, as Jerome.
NOTE 1: “Blans Cross Roads” in eastern Tennessee could not be found on a current map. However, the town of Blaine is located approximately twenty miles northeast of Knoxville, Tennessee. The envelope for this letter bears the postmark of Knoxville, Tennessee. Also, in his letter dated January 10, 1864, three days after this letter, Jerome indicates that he was “Near Blaine Cross Roads, Tenn.” The envelope for this letter is also postmarked Knoxville. Therefore, he almost certainly was located near the present town of Blaine, Tennessee, in early January 1864.
NOTE 2: It is interesting to note that he mentions his increase in pay as the result of being promoted from corporal to sergeant on January 1, 1864, just prior to the date of this letter. His monthly pay increased from $13.00 to $17.00 as the result of the promotion. It also appears that as the result of his promotion, he was moved to the Commissary Department of his regiment.
NOTE 3: Henry Mayo, also from Orange, Massachusetts, enlisted in on the same date, August 4, 1862, as Jerome.
Original Format
Letter/Paper
Files
Collection
Reference
Jerome Pierce 1864, From Jerome to Allie, January 6, 1864, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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