From Jerome to Allie, December 28, 1862
Dublin Core
Title
From Jerome to Allie, December 28, 1862
Subject
Peirce, Jerome
Allie
Falmouth VA
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
1862-12-28
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
5.52 X 3.12
5.81 X 7.20
11.52 X 7.20
5.81 X 7.20
jpg
5.81 X 7.20
11.52 X 7.20
5.81 X 7.20
jpg
Language
English
Type
Text
Identifier
Letter #55
Coverage
Camp at Falmouth VA
Text Item Type Metadata
Text
Sunday P.M. 28th Decr 1862
My ever dear wife:
Today I was again reminded of your thoughtfulness, on the receipt of a nice pa[c]kage of stationery [sic[ paper and Envelopes, for which many thanks.
Yesterday Came a pair of socks, and wristers & pin wheels from Ellen, all just the things wanted and of Course “ever so” acceptable.
I mailed you a letter on Fri morn, or Thu[r]s Eve, so of course can tell you but little news. All is quiet, and I am still well. The Co are on Picket again, so I am sole occupant of the tent. Have been quite busy tho’. Took a walk in the morn, for water, washing, breakfast th[r]o’ with, found some sewing that “must be done, and you will think I am constantly calling for something. I am sadly in need of a pr of Suspenders. You can get an ordinary pr. They charge enormously for all such things here, and you can mail them very well. and speaking of Postage, I can’t understand why there is such a difference without [i.e. unless] it is closing them—the packages—all up, not leaving an end open or[?] County and City Post Offices. The Vest was 75, c [75 cents] Postage. Other bundles came, the same in size for less than half that. Ellen’s present of wristers was more than a package for J. H recd at the same time, his being four times as large—Mittens[,] Hdkf &c. I believe I am supplied now “till fu[r]ther orders”. You did not speak of Lulu’s box in your green letter (recd Fri). did you get. I presume you forgot to mention, as I do, many things. It is a lovely day, and I have thought of you so much. You are where it is colder than here, the “Cold snaps” are the exception here not the rule. Have you been at Church? I have been reading the Testament. Cor 1st, and Psalms. I often open to the latter by chance. One day when expecting to go into battle I opened to the 60th. Today to the 103d. Have a book too from the Chaplain “The Baron of the South”, an essay on the rise and progress of the Slave Power. It is a fearful thing considering the present aspect of things. A settled purpose, it was to change the character of the Government, and I fear the end is not yet, and yet, again, it seems as if there might be a settlement without further bloodshed. I trust I am not less brave, or hopeful, but I confess, and I learn it is the Conviction of a vast portion of the Army, that it Cannot be closed or settled by mere fighting. We do not feel reconciled to Banks going away “down south”, instead of acting with us, at Richmond, and he meeting, too, with delay and disaster. Surely the nation, is being tried as by fire, and its sins are manifold[.]
Your last letter was interesting—very. I am glad you saw so many. it almost seemed like seeing them myself. Poor George Pratt! I will try and write him. Why don’t Lucy answer my last? I mentioned him in common, in that! Had a nice letter from Charles Smith with you[r]s. his “back is up” on the war. I replied immediately. Have written Albert S. the early part of the month. He (Charles) wanted to know why you did not visit, or Call, on them, while down. I told him how you felt, and of your haste, and asked them to write you at B. I say “how you felt”—not unfriendly of course, but I [sic: it] reminded you too much of old times &c.” I should like to know more of the “discussion” at Foster’s. Does he feel, like “Compromise”, or indignant at the Government, or what? I should like to get his notions, aside from his own statement, a little. The Common Soldiers here on both sides, are friendly, even proposing (the rebs did) to leave the bullets out of their guns in loading if we would! –and how like fighting such folks can we feel, especially when they are fortified so that, one of theirs is as good as five of us! Don’t think I am for a dishonorable peace, but with such a state of things, it does seem, as tho’ something honorable to both parties might be done, for war is horrible beyond mention, and good and true men here feel it so.
But how is my little Lulu. Papa, did think of her birth day, but forgot to speak of it in his letter. Did you get the pictures of my house &c. She must tell me all about her presents &c. A letter Came to J.H. from O. this morn. Spoke of a letter from Hattie while you was in Boston. I wrote them a day or two since. also Dr B about his nephew who as wou[n]ded. Not dangerous, but severe[.] Excuse brevity this time, and believe me, with love to all, as ever
Your Affc. husband
Jerome
[Marginal notes]
[Page 2] I send some extracts, the verses for Lulu[.] found the pencil. should like a long one. no matter for the buttons.
[Page 4] Am out of Stamps
My ever dear wife:
Today I was again reminded of your thoughtfulness, on the receipt of a nice pa[c]kage of stationery [sic[ paper and Envelopes, for which many thanks.
Yesterday Came a pair of socks, and wristers & pin wheels from Ellen, all just the things wanted and of Course “ever so” acceptable.
I mailed you a letter on Fri morn, or Thu[r]s Eve, so of course can tell you but little news. All is quiet, and I am still well. The Co are on Picket again, so I am sole occupant of the tent. Have been quite busy tho’. Took a walk in the morn, for water, washing, breakfast th[r]o’ with, found some sewing that “must be done, and you will think I am constantly calling for something. I am sadly in need of a pr of Suspenders. You can get an ordinary pr. They charge enormously for all such things here, and you can mail them very well. and speaking of Postage, I can’t understand why there is such a difference without [i.e. unless] it is closing them—the packages—all up, not leaving an end open or[?] County and City Post Offices. The Vest was 75, c [75 cents] Postage. Other bundles came, the same in size for less than half that. Ellen’s present of wristers was more than a package for J. H recd at the same time, his being four times as large—Mittens[,] Hdkf &c. I believe I am supplied now “till fu[r]ther orders”. You did not speak of Lulu’s box in your green letter (recd Fri). did you get. I presume you forgot to mention, as I do, many things. It is a lovely day, and I have thought of you so much. You are where it is colder than here, the “Cold snaps” are the exception here not the rule. Have you been at Church? I have been reading the Testament. Cor 1st, and Psalms. I often open to the latter by chance. One day when expecting to go into battle I opened to the 60th. Today to the 103d. Have a book too from the Chaplain “The Baron of the South”, an essay on the rise and progress of the Slave Power. It is a fearful thing considering the present aspect of things. A settled purpose, it was to change the character of the Government, and I fear the end is not yet, and yet, again, it seems as if there might be a settlement without further bloodshed. I trust I am not less brave, or hopeful, but I confess, and I learn it is the Conviction of a vast portion of the Army, that it Cannot be closed or settled by mere fighting. We do not feel reconciled to Banks going away “down south”, instead of acting with us, at Richmond, and he meeting, too, with delay and disaster. Surely the nation, is being tried as by fire, and its sins are manifold[.]
Your last letter was interesting—very. I am glad you saw so many. it almost seemed like seeing them myself. Poor George Pratt! I will try and write him. Why don’t Lucy answer my last? I mentioned him in common, in that! Had a nice letter from Charles Smith with you[r]s. his “back is up” on the war. I replied immediately. Have written Albert S. the early part of the month. He (Charles) wanted to know why you did not visit, or Call, on them, while down. I told him how you felt, and of your haste, and asked them to write you at B. I say “how you felt”—not unfriendly of course, but I [sic: it] reminded you too much of old times &c.” I should like to know more of the “discussion” at Foster’s. Does he feel, like “Compromise”, or indignant at the Government, or what? I should like to get his notions, aside from his own statement, a little. The Common Soldiers here on both sides, are friendly, even proposing (the rebs did) to leave the bullets out of their guns in loading if we would! –and how like fighting such folks can we feel, especially when they are fortified so that, one of theirs is as good as five of us! Don’t think I am for a dishonorable peace, but with such a state of things, it does seem, as tho’ something honorable to both parties might be done, for war is horrible beyond mention, and good and true men here feel it so.
But how is my little Lulu. Papa, did think of her birth day, but forgot to speak of it in his letter. Did you get the pictures of my house &c. She must tell me all about her presents &c. A letter Came to J.H. from O. this morn. Spoke of a letter from Hattie while you was in Boston. I wrote them a day or two since. also Dr B about his nephew who as wou[n]ded. Not dangerous, but severe[.] Excuse brevity this time, and believe me, with love to all, as ever
Your Affc. husband
Jerome
[Marginal notes]
[Page 2] I send some extracts, the verses for Lulu[.] found the pencil. should like a long one. no matter for the buttons.
[Page 4] Am out of Stamps
Original Format
Letter/Paper
Files
Collection
Reference
Jerome Peirce 1862, From Jerome to Allie, December 28, 1862, HIST 428 (Spring 2020), University of Mary Washington
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