From Jerome to Allie, September 4, 1862
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to Allie, September 4, 1862
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Allie
At Sea Onboard Steamer "Merrimac"
Description
From Jerome to Allie
Creator
Jerome Peirce
Source
Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service
Publisher
HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Date
1862-09-04
Contributor
NPS, Civil War 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
6.75 X 4.5 - 1st Scan
7 X 9.5 - 2nd Scan
12.25 X 9.75 - 3rd Scan
12.25 X 9.75 - 4th Scan
12.75 X 9.75 - 5th Scan
jpg.
7 X 9.5 - 2nd Scan
12.25 X 9.75 - 3rd Scan
12.25 X 9.75 - 4th Scan
12.75 X 9.75 - 5th Scan
jpg.
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #8
Coverage
At Sea Onboard Steamer "Merrimac"
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Thursday 4 Sept. At Sea.
On board Steamer “Merrimac”
My dearest Allie,
For a few moments I will try and say a word to you. Am sitting on the quarter deck with Alonzo R. We have had most lovely weather, a calm sea, and but for the crowd should enjoy much. about 2300 on board. two regiments Was sick but very little yesterday A.M. and have been well since. Left Boston at 5 A.M. Wedns. passed “Gay Head” at 9 P.M. Are now running down the Coast of Delaware. Expect to reach Old Point Comfort Va. tomorrow morning.
It is almost noon, have been on guard duty this morning, and have access to the Quarter deck, where the Phalanx boys are amusing the officers with singing, Speeches &c. Lieut Brigham is now reading part of a speech delivered in Congress sometime since, while the decks are filled with soldiers. I need not say how much I have thought of you since I left and wish I could give you an idea of the scene on the way before we left Boston. Saw Foster[,] Haynes & Marsh and many of the Charlestown friends[.] we were nine hours in our knapsack[s] before we got on board, Tues night, but I have born[e] it well, and am feeling very well, and it is the most glorious sight, where “sky and water meet,” no land in sight.
Will note down items as they occur, but it will be but a disjointed affair[.] we are so crowded. The pictures I sent you you can get copied. It was so dark that the “Saloon” man at Camp Wool made sad work. He would have copied them, but there was no time.
The boys are all well, and there has been scarcely anything to disturb the pleasure of the voyage.
Fri morn, 9 Oclk.
Off the Coast of Virginia. Fine weather still, and no accident. Hope to be on shore tomorrow Guard duty closed this morn. at 5 A.M. All went smoothly. Pleasant chat with a Sergeant of the Maine Reg. [20th Maine Infantry] A fine set of men—over two thousand crowded together and amid all sorts of inconveniences not a word of ill humor. Retired to the main deck, impossible to write owing to crowd on upper deck. Weather growing very warm, clothes a burden, but nights beautiful. Slept two last nights on upper deck, very comfortable, bright morn. There is something dreamy and grand in the ocean in a calm, and with more room would be delightful exceedingly. But how do all the dear ones at home? What a contrast to our homes and this scene! But such is our lot. God grant us the fortitude to endure to the end. Surely the Soldier must “learn to labour and to wait.”
Here are six around me writing, two reading their Testaments. By the way, made bold to speak with Mr Caufield, the chaplain of our Reg. yesterday. A very pleasant man, but grave and quiet. has evidently made a great change in his situation. Among the more noted men aboard is Col [Adelbert] Ames of the Maine Reg. very young but a soldier every inch. A “West Pointer.” Commanded a Battery at Bull Run, where he was severely wounded, afterwards at Fair Oaks, which secured his Colonelcy. Saw him in the after cabin, instructing the officers in the sword exercises. The Leut Col [Joshua Chamberlain] also a splendid man, A Proffessor [sic] from Bowdoin College.
But the most noteworthy feature is the exceedingly patient and kindly spirit among all on board, and “Peace Societies” might receive a lesson, and surely such men will do their part when fighting comes.
1 1/2 Oclock P M
Approaching land, and all letters must be sent so I close. Love to all. All well. Cheaspeake [sic] Brig.[?]
A kiss for Lulu, and Mother
Jerome Peirce
Direct letters to Washington 36 Reg. Co H. Capt Sawyer
On board Steamer “Merrimac”
My dearest Allie,
For a few moments I will try and say a word to you. Am sitting on the quarter deck with Alonzo R. We have had most lovely weather, a calm sea, and but for the crowd should enjoy much. about 2300 on board. two regiments Was sick but very little yesterday A.M. and have been well since. Left Boston at 5 A.M. Wedns. passed “Gay Head” at 9 P.M. Are now running down the Coast of Delaware. Expect to reach Old Point Comfort Va. tomorrow morning.
It is almost noon, have been on guard duty this morning, and have access to the Quarter deck, where the Phalanx boys are amusing the officers with singing, Speeches &c. Lieut Brigham is now reading part of a speech delivered in Congress sometime since, while the decks are filled with soldiers. I need not say how much I have thought of you since I left and wish I could give you an idea of the scene on the way before we left Boston. Saw Foster[,] Haynes & Marsh and many of the Charlestown friends[.] we were nine hours in our knapsack[s] before we got on board, Tues night, but I have born[e] it well, and am feeling very well, and it is the most glorious sight, where “sky and water meet,” no land in sight.
Will note down items as they occur, but it will be but a disjointed affair[.] we are so crowded. The pictures I sent you you can get copied. It was so dark that the “Saloon” man at Camp Wool made sad work. He would have copied them, but there was no time.
The boys are all well, and there has been scarcely anything to disturb the pleasure of the voyage.
Fri morn, 9 Oclk.
Off the Coast of Virginia. Fine weather still, and no accident. Hope to be on shore tomorrow Guard duty closed this morn. at 5 A.M. All went smoothly. Pleasant chat with a Sergeant of the Maine Reg. [20th Maine Infantry] A fine set of men—over two thousand crowded together and amid all sorts of inconveniences not a word of ill humor. Retired to the main deck, impossible to write owing to crowd on upper deck. Weather growing very warm, clothes a burden, but nights beautiful. Slept two last nights on upper deck, very comfortable, bright morn. There is something dreamy and grand in the ocean in a calm, and with more room would be delightful exceedingly. But how do all the dear ones at home? What a contrast to our homes and this scene! But such is our lot. God grant us the fortitude to endure to the end. Surely the Soldier must “learn to labour and to wait.”
Here are six around me writing, two reading their Testaments. By the way, made bold to speak with Mr Caufield, the chaplain of our Reg. yesterday. A very pleasant man, but grave and quiet. has evidently made a great change in his situation. Among the more noted men aboard is Col [Adelbert] Ames of the Maine Reg. very young but a soldier every inch. A “West Pointer.” Commanded a Battery at Bull Run, where he was severely wounded, afterwards at Fair Oaks, which secured his Colonelcy. Saw him in the after cabin, instructing the officers in the sword exercises. The Leut Col [Joshua Chamberlain] also a splendid man, A Proffessor [sic] from Bowdoin College.
But the most noteworthy feature is the exceedingly patient and kindly spirit among all on board, and “Peace Societies” might receive a lesson, and surely such men will do their part when fighting comes.
1 1/2 Oclock P M
Approaching land, and all letters must be sent so I close. Love to all. All well. Cheaspeake [sic] Brig.[?]
A kiss for Lulu, and Mother
Jerome Peirce
Direct letters to Washington 36 Reg. Co H. Capt Sawyer
Original Format
Letter / Paper
Files
Collection
Reference
Jerome Peirce 1862, From Jerome to Allie, September 4, 1862, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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