Unknown Letter #8
Dublin Core
Title
Unknown Letter #8
Description
From Jerome to Allie
Creator
Jerome Peirce
Date
1863-01
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
Unknown Letter #8
Coverage
Unknown
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
… newspapers as never before. Surely it is an eventful time in which we live and I feel that there is with all the horrors a certain “high honor” in sharing its dangers and perils. So dismiss from your mind the thought that your husband is “homesick”, “sorry to have come” and all that for he is trying to “endure unto the end” with fidelity and honor, albeit the heart and nerves sometimes sicken at sights he is compelled to witness.
Jos. H. has written some pretty plain smart letters home since the affair. He won’t say he is homesick but is “disgusted’, thinks a great deal of humbug etc. and wants likes to be honorably at home, etc. But he doesn’t view things altogether calm, sometimes, in short, he is as he is at home uneasy if things don’t go “about so”. Say nothing of this however. We get along quite well together, “agreeing to differ” about some things. Thinks much of his friends and writes some good letters, very. Always reads them home to me.
By the way, I never show your letters and read only what I think proper aloud to anyone and am compelled to burn them of course, so not easy on that score. You have not mentioned about Lulu’s box, tho I suppose you got it at Foster’s and about the money. Did you receive the whole ($8.00)? Suppose you did as I sent some of it at Fred. [Fredericksburg].
Tell me when you get a response from the “Social Six” to my pictures, etc.
The tea comes regularly now and is a great treat, as it was today [at] noon. I don’t think to mention much about our living. I can get along very well generally and seldom purchase of the sutler, but many of the boys seem to think a great deal of their stomachs. I find the Army “rations” very good. Did get a little butter and cheese the other day to share with Jos. H. for he frets over the living a good deal. But to one who has been used to feeding the mind, such extremes of feeling are not customary. I say this in no spirit of pride but it is a fact that the cultivated in mind are enduring cheerfully and always reading or conversing on some solid matter at every leisure moment, while the others are “fussing” about the “rations” and wondering what the next meal will be, etc. etc. And so we have the two classes and here, as at home, the ruling spirit [will] win out! I have borrowed “Harper’s” Magazine for Dec. which I shall read. We do no drilling, having the wood to get, and picket duty keeps us in exercise.
About my eyes, since we got fire inside, I’ve entirely recovered but when fires outside as “New Year’s Eve”. I had to go on guard with three men at Col. Lasure’s Headquarters (only a few rods from here). It was blustering and cold. The smoke from the fire troubled me again. They are all right now and expect some good times when papers come, etc.
Only think 1863! What will be a year to come? I think a great deal will be decided some way. God grant it may be all for the best. Only think too of A.B. Fuller’s death at F. [Fredericksburg]. I couldn’t believe it at first but I read the funeral services today in the paper you sent me. How many gallant spirits have gone to their long home from the dear old Bay State? Who can but deplore when such men perish?
But a word for Sister Mary. Am glad you are so successful in your school and you see how “dignity” even a little womens doeth the work! I trust the writer may pass pleasantly and profitably.
And Hattie, I have not forgotten you but I know where your heart and pen turn and trust we shall all meet at the old home to recall the eventful past by and by.
I will stop as the mail does not go till night and am quite tired.
A little later. Time for supper. Saw the [???] a moment just now, liked Hyperion very much, said he would give a [???] for it now. The provost guard took everything away from the soldiers that was in sight and his [???] was crossing the bridge with his things in his hands so he lost it. I have tried to think of all the items, but perhaps I have forgotten some.
Am glad you chat away so on the war, etc. Speak freely and give your opinion and how people feel for I think it a period and want to know how matters go.
Have you heard of late from the Emersons?
Love to all friends as always. Wrote you on Sunday last.
A kiss for Lulu. I hope she won’t forget me, but one so young it wouldn’t be strange, my looks. I feel sad when I think she may do so but I hope we shall meet before it is so.
As ever, your affectionate husband
Jerome
Jos. H. has written some pretty plain smart letters home since the affair. He won’t say he is homesick but is “disgusted’, thinks a great deal of humbug etc. and wants likes to be honorably at home, etc. But he doesn’t view things altogether calm, sometimes, in short, he is as he is at home uneasy if things don’t go “about so”. Say nothing of this however. We get along quite well together, “agreeing to differ” about some things. Thinks much of his friends and writes some good letters, very. Always reads them home to me.
By the way, I never show your letters and read only what I think proper aloud to anyone and am compelled to burn them of course, so not easy on that score. You have not mentioned about Lulu’s box, tho I suppose you got it at Foster’s and about the money. Did you receive the whole ($8.00)? Suppose you did as I sent some of it at Fred. [Fredericksburg].
Tell me when you get a response from the “Social Six” to my pictures, etc.
The tea comes regularly now and is a great treat, as it was today [at] noon. I don’t think to mention much about our living. I can get along very well generally and seldom purchase of the sutler, but many of the boys seem to think a great deal of their stomachs. I find the Army “rations” very good. Did get a little butter and cheese the other day to share with Jos. H. for he frets over the living a good deal. But to one who has been used to feeding the mind, such extremes of feeling are not customary. I say this in no spirit of pride but it is a fact that the cultivated in mind are enduring cheerfully and always reading or conversing on some solid matter at every leisure moment, while the others are “fussing” about the “rations” and wondering what the next meal will be, etc. etc. And so we have the two classes and here, as at home, the ruling spirit [will] win out! I have borrowed “Harper’s” Magazine for Dec. which I shall read. We do no drilling, having the wood to get, and picket duty keeps us in exercise.
About my eyes, since we got fire inside, I’ve entirely recovered but when fires outside as “New Year’s Eve”. I had to go on guard with three men at Col. Lasure’s Headquarters (only a few rods from here). It was blustering and cold. The smoke from the fire troubled me again. They are all right now and expect some good times when papers come, etc.
Only think 1863! What will be a year to come? I think a great deal will be decided some way. God grant it may be all for the best. Only think too of A.B. Fuller’s death at F. [Fredericksburg]. I couldn’t believe it at first but I read the funeral services today in the paper you sent me. How many gallant spirits have gone to their long home from the dear old Bay State? Who can but deplore when such men perish?
But a word for Sister Mary. Am glad you are so successful in your school and you see how “dignity” even a little womens doeth the work! I trust the writer may pass pleasantly and profitably.
And Hattie, I have not forgotten you but I know where your heart and pen turn and trust we shall all meet at the old home to recall the eventful past by and by.
I will stop as the mail does not go till night and am quite tired.
A little later. Time for supper. Saw the [???] a moment just now, liked Hyperion very much, said he would give a [???] for it now. The provost guard took everything away from the soldiers that was in sight and his [???] was crossing the bridge with his things in his hands so he lost it. I have tried to think of all the items, but perhaps I have forgotten some.
Am glad you chat away so on the war, etc. Speak freely and give your opinion and how people feel for I think it a period and want to know how matters go.
Have you heard of late from the Emersons?
Love to all friends as always. Wrote you on Sunday last.
A kiss for Lulu. I hope she won’t forget me, but one so young it wouldn’t be strange, my looks. I feel sad when I think she may do so but I hope we shall meet before it is so.
As ever, your affectionate husband
Jerome
TRANSCRIBER’S NOTE
This is a fragment of a letter, with the page that includes the salutation, location and date missing. However, based on its contents, the letter was almost certainly written in early January of 1863.
This is a fragment of a letter, with the page that includes the salutation, location and date missing. However, based on its contents, the letter was almost certainly written in early January of 1863.
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Reference
Jerome Peirce 1863, Unknown Letter #8
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