From Jerome to Allie, August 13, 1863

From Jerome to Allie, August 13, 1863

Peirce, Jerome

Allie

Covington, KY.

From Jerome to Allie

Jerome Peirce

Jerome Peirce Collection

NPS for letters/UMW Digital History Students for scans

1863-08-13

NPS, Civil War Study Group, Jim Bois (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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"6.8 X 4" - 1st Scan
"6.4 X 9.4" - 2nd Scan
"11.45 X 9.3" - 3rd Scan
"6.5 X 9.4" - 4th Scan
(JPG)

English

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Letter #148

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Covington Ky. 13 th Aug 1863

Allie Mine,
Once more in “Old Kentucky” alive and well. Left Cairo Monday P.M. and by rail to Cincinnati
yesterday P.M., just a week from Snyder’s Landing (“Yazoo River”). Had a collation in the Fifth St. Market
House, Cin i. [Cincinnati], and a pleasant chat with a fine lady who thinks everything of the soldier boys
and it seems like civilization again.
Came over here and into barracks for the first time. Don’t know how long we shall be here.
Expect to be paid off today. It is said we’re to report at Lexington and rest up and then form the reserve
as usual with Burnside in the Tennessee Expedition, Chattanooga and Georgia Railroad affair. The troops
are mostly mounted but we form something to fall back on.
This is what we gather from one of Gen. B’s [Burnside’s] staff who is in Cinn [Cincinnati]. Of
course, you can only watch and see how near right I am and not take my word for it.
Had rather be here than go to Virginia altho this if I was near home, [I] should try for furlough.
But no knowing what will take place before fall. It seems a great treat to get stretched out. Steamboat

and [railroad] car riding has kept us cramped up for a week. Had quite a look at Cin [Cincinnati] and
passed through some of the same streets I did 11 years ago. Calling to mind the nice times of ‘52.
Have just sent to the Express Office the books from Jackson Missi. [Mississippi]. Directed to “F.
Peirce & Co. Boston etc. for Mrs. Jerome Peirce”. Hope you will receive them all right. Lulu will
appreciate the smallest one now and keep “Mrs. Hermans” till she is older.
I’m sitting here in my “bunk” talking and whistling, etc. about me and can’t write much of a
letter, but you will know I am well. Am I not remarkably favored? When I think of the Missi. [Mississippi]
Campaign I marvel that I’m alive!
The sick are in hospitals here. Have not heard from [anyone] in particular. Expect Hiram
Woodward is not living. [Was] taken on board the boat and failed rapidly, fever.
Our “big” Color Sergeant is in the hospital, fever and agne. Have not had even a sign of it myself.
I am satisfied that mild climates are better for my temperament. I sent you letters from Memphis and
Cairo, also father some papers from C. [Cincinnati].
Direct your letters to Cincinnati again as of old.
If we’re paid off shall forward you money immediately. I wish I could send more, but our payrolls
are only for two months.
The season is fine and the country is beautiful. Such vast cornfields, fruit and luxuriance of forest
and wood.
North Bend on the Ohio [River is] a charming place but the river is low.
Love to the friends and when I get into camp will write more. Wrote Will C., mailed at Cairo.
(Had a paper from him with his “Agency” notice.) Will send you a paper with the story of John Morgan
the “Raider”.
I must close. A kiss for Lulu and love as ever from
Jerome

J. H. All right.

TRANSCRIBER’S NOTES (Josef Rokus)
NOTE 1. Hiram Woodward enlisted at age 40 from Orange, Massachusetts. He died of disease on August
10, 1863, at Camp Dennison, Ohio.
NOTE 2: The “J. 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: Morgan's Raid was a diversionary incursion by Confederate cavalry into Indiana and Ohio. The
raid took place from June 11–July 26, 1863, and is named for the commander of the Confederates, Brig.
Gen. John Hunt Morgan. Although it caused temporary alarm in the North, the raid was ultimately
classed as a failure.

Letter/Paper