© Copyright 2000 James David Pearce
Plymouth
December 5, 1863
To: Abigail Pierce, Petty Shore, Chowan River
Dear Abigail:
I am writing this from the United States Army camp in Plymouth. I haven't been here but two days and a half and I have already run down to see Milly and the kids. I want to tell you that they are safe, warm and well-fed, though they are living now in a tent. It has a board floor, and it is not so bad. They were able to bring just about everything they had to wear, and the USA is seeing that they are getting everything else they need like vittles, sleeping rolls and blankets. Cit is nowhere around, but I am not worrying too much about him, because he is a smart old man and I think he must have all this worked out.
I have to tell you too that your friend Sgt. Brown is some kind of a real man. He met me almost as soon as I got off the boat, and he knew all about Milly and the kids and showed me where to go to find them. He says he doesn't know anything about where Cit is.
I don't think we could get to stay at Plymouth, because they don't really have what they need around here to take care of a lot of people. Where Milly and the kids will be going, they and I don't know, but I'm pretty sure Cit knows.
Where I'll be going, I've got a pretty good idea. Today, I stripped stark naked and a doctor looked me over from front side to back and looked down my tongue and said I could join the U.S. Army. I know now where my next shirt, pants, jacket and shoes are going to come from. They say I am going to swear allegiance to the United States of America at some flag ceremony in a few days, and I can't hardly wait, I am so happy to finally be all the way on one side, and I am so sure the Union is the right side.
It was really a great boat ride down here. The wind on deck was a little cold but the sky was so sunny and clear, and things like all this could just make you feel so happy all of a sudden about the world and what might happen next. I know there might be some more hard times waiting down the road, but I think now that everything is getting on the right path. I have gone through the black door in the black wall in the middle of the field, and I am so happy to be on the other side.
I can't wait to get me some clothes like Sgt. Brown has, even if I can't have the stripes on my arm that he does. I think I'm going to look pretty sharp, and I'll bet I am going to be one of their best drill men and I'm going to work hard to be sharp as a tack. Already there's sergeants and officers down here that seem to have taken a liking to me, and they really seem surprised to see that I can read everything that passes by and that I can write so well. I've been told that I have got a great future in the U.S. Army. Lord, I'm happy.
If they have prayer-meeting around here, I am surely going. If they have prayer-meeting over where the women and kids are, and I can go, I am surely going. I feel like I have a lot to thank the Lord for, and also I feel like when I get my new clothes I'm going to look kind of sharp. And if I can find some pretty lady to talk to at prayer-meeting, I'm surely going to do it.
Abigail, I hope you won't be too sad, left back there just you and mama. Also I hope Sgt. Brown won't have to go anywhere else, and can keep on stopping by to check on you. Tell Job and Priscilla not to be sad for me, either. Tell them how happy I am, and that Christmas is coming and the New Year behind that, and Lord, the whole world is going to open up for us with bright sunshine.
The dirty war is on its dying legs, and when we turn the corner into the sunshine, I'm going to be marching right there in the front ranks. Lord, I'm happy.
I'll send this letter by boat to Petty Shore or Harrellsville. I can't give you another address right now, but if you hear any word at all from Isaac, please write me quick to let me know. Send it here. If I have moved on, the United States Army will know where to find me.
Your loving brother, James
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