From S. A. Waldo to Jerome, December 15, 1862
Dublin Core
Title
From S. A. Waldo to Jerome, December 15, 1862
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Waldo, S. A.
Description
From S. A. Waldo to Jerome Peirce
Creator
S. A. Waldo
Source
Jerome Peirce Collection, National Park Service
Publisher
HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
Date
1862-12-15
Contributor
NPS, Civil War Study Group, Donald Pfanz
Rights
For educational purposes with no commercial use. Courtesy of National Park Service, Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania NMP, FRSP 16095-16102 (FRSP-00904).
Format
6.5 X 7.75
12.5 X 7.75
6.55 X 7.75
jpg
12.5 X 7.75
6.55 X 7.75
jpg
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #50
Coverage
Could not be determined
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Sunday Eve Dec 15/62
Friend Jerome
Many times after reading your letters breathing earnest patriotism and a manly devotion to our beloved land have I thought of writing you, but have felt as though you had so many friends who were nearer, I would be rather an intrusion, but your intimation in the last I was privileged to read decided me to write[.]
I have much enjoyed the reading of your letters home, and rejoiced that amid all the excitement new experiences of the war, you were as your friends might expect, as ever true to your own love of right & duty.
Your wife made me a very pleasant tho’ short call one day, and I was glad to see how earnestly she strove to emulate your patriotism, which her true woman’s heart yet felt the trial & the struggle.
How strange, how often unreal even after these long weary months of war seems the accounts we read of the battles, in which our noblest & best are contending for the best Government, & the dearest interests of man.
The course of the South seems so suicidal that apart from its wickedness, one can but wonder at its folly. Heaven seems to have left them, to strike the death blow at their own “barbarous peculiar institution”, but most earnestly do I hope & pray, that we may not have to continue this fearful strife, this waste of life, this terrible carnage much longer. Yet fearful as this is, tis better than any compromise, that seeks to reinstate Slavery and its power. I have heard northern sympathisers [sic] urge, that we might at least be satisfied with the Savior’s teachings & example, that he did not attack the evils & existing institutions of his day, as we are doing now. As if there ever was, a more revolutionising [sic] rule, than the golden one of “Do to others as ye would have them do to you[.]” We are living friend J. in stirring times. God is I believe punishing us, as we do deserve, for our long compr[om]ising with this dark sin of Slavery, when we had not even the plea the Southerner had, that we were born & educated in its shadow, & therefore could not realise [sic] its wrong, as outsiders might.
But the day for compromise is past. I trust better now fight it out, that Liberty & righteous Peace may dawn upon our Land, and the generations yet to live here, aye & the whole world may bless us.
The South will gain methinks far more than the North in a new civilisation [sic], new incentives to labor & an elevation of all its inhabitants, and therefore higher moral & intellectual life.
Rev Chandler Robbins gave us a good sermon this morn, on receiving the kingdom of heaven as a [“]little child,” by having our hearts as docile, reverent & receptive as the little child. When we all do that how much more glorious a thing will life be to each one of us—then War & the fearful sins which lead to War will be done away, and the will of God will indeed be done on earth.
Since your last letter, has been the fearful fighting at Fredericksburg, what must have made many anxious hearts here, till letters again tell them of the welfare of loved ones.
It must have been terrible, and still the “on to Richmond” looms before us, making our hearts tremble at the dangers that await the loved brave ones. I am looking forward to the First of Jan /63 with great interest, believing the “procla[ma]tion[“] of our good president will bring good results, so far as it is carried out. What are your expectations?
Tis almost 11, and I must haste to say Good Night. Your good Sister A. doubtless keeps you informed of Charlestown items, and Mr. Murray probably fills the gap, so I shall not try aught in that direction. Sisters are well & join me, in good wishes & kind remembrances to you. May He who is ever near us, watch over you & guard you, & return you safely to those who love you. Tis perhaps hardly in keeping with your surroundings yet I must wish you “A Happy Christmas & New Year.” I subscribe myself as ever
Your friend
S A Waldo
Friend Jerome
Many times after reading your letters breathing earnest patriotism and a manly devotion to our beloved land have I thought of writing you, but have felt as though you had so many friends who were nearer, I would be rather an intrusion, but your intimation in the last I was privileged to read decided me to write[.]
I have much enjoyed the reading of your letters home, and rejoiced that amid all the excitement new experiences of the war, you were as your friends might expect, as ever true to your own love of right & duty.
Your wife made me a very pleasant tho’ short call one day, and I was glad to see how earnestly she strove to emulate your patriotism, which her true woman’s heart yet felt the trial & the struggle.
How strange, how often unreal even after these long weary months of war seems the accounts we read of the battles, in which our noblest & best are contending for the best Government, & the dearest interests of man.
The course of the South seems so suicidal that apart from its wickedness, one can but wonder at its folly. Heaven seems to have left them, to strike the death blow at their own “barbarous peculiar institution”, but most earnestly do I hope & pray, that we may not have to continue this fearful strife, this waste of life, this terrible carnage much longer. Yet fearful as this is, tis better than any compromise, that seeks to reinstate Slavery and its power. I have heard northern sympathisers [sic] urge, that we might at least be satisfied with the Savior’s teachings & example, that he did not attack the evils & existing institutions of his day, as we are doing now. As if there ever was, a more revolutionising [sic] rule, than the golden one of “Do to others as ye would have them do to you[.]” We are living friend J. in stirring times. God is I believe punishing us, as we do deserve, for our long compr[om]ising with this dark sin of Slavery, when we had not even the plea the Southerner had, that we were born & educated in its shadow, & therefore could not realise [sic] its wrong, as outsiders might.
But the day for compromise is past. I trust better now fight it out, that Liberty & righteous Peace may dawn upon our Land, and the generations yet to live here, aye & the whole world may bless us.
The South will gain methinks far more than the North in a new civilisation [sic], new incentives to labor & an elevation of all its inhabitants, and therefore higher moral & intellectual life.
Rev Chandler Robbins gave us a good sermon this morn, on receiving the kingdom of heaven as a [“]little child,” by having our hearts as docile, reverent & receptive as the little child. When we all do that how much more glorious a thing will life be to each one of us—then War & the fearful sins which lead to War will be done away, and the will of God will indeed be done on earth.
Since your last letter, has been the fearful fighting at Fredericksburg, what must have made many anxious hearts here, till letters again tell them of the welfare of loved ones.
It must have been terrible, and still the “on to Richmond” looms before us, making our hearts tremble at the dangers that await the loved brave ones. I am looking forward to the First of Jan /63 with great interest, believing the “procla[ma]tion[“] of our good president will bring good results, so far as it is carried out. What are your expectations?
Tis almost 11, and I must haste to say Good Night. Your good Sister A. doubtless keeps you informed of Charlestown items, and Mr. Murray probably fills the gap, so I shall not try aught in that direction. Sisters are well & join me, in good wishes & kind remembrances to you. May He who is ever near us, watch over you & guard you, & return you safely to those who love you. Tis perhaps hardly in keeping with your surroundings yet I must wish you “A Happy Christmas & New Year.” I subscribe myself as ever
Your friend
S A Waldo
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Reference
S. A. Waldo 1862, From S. A. Waldo to Jerome, December 15, 1862, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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