New Bern

January 4, 1864

To Abigail Pierce, Petty Shore, Chowan River:

Dear sister Abigail:

It's all a miracle! Good Lord, the world is beautiful! You don't have to worry any more about telling me anything you hear about Isaac. I'm going to tell you! You tell mama and Job and everybody!

I've found our brother yesterday and he looks really good. He seems to be a lot taller than when he left in '61, and I guess that's to be expected. He's really healthy and is grown into a right big strong-looking man. He doesn't have a CSA uniform on, either. He pledged allegiance to The Stars and Stripes at this place on Christmas Day and put on a blue coat like mine. Now we're both marching in Company C, 2nd NC Infantry US. Lord, I am so happy! It is hard to believe, but I guess the Lord really is working in wondrous ways like they say.

He is a sergeant already! He said that when they found out he could read and write and knew how to lead a squad in about-face and forward march, they handed him the stripes right off. I can read and write just about as good as he can, and as soon as I learn a little more about this soldiering job, I'm planning to put on some of those stripes myself.

I told him all about Milly and the kids, that they're in Plymouth and are probably going to meet Cit somewhere. When he found out that Cit was coming over, too, he just about cried. It is all so good. Christmas and New Year and everything else all packed into one big happy ball, and now the sun turning around and coming back this way!

We are not going to stay long around here. There are a lot of rumors that the Confederates are getting ready to make a big attack around New Bern, and this place is packed slam full of runaway coloreds and the army is loaded with blue-coats like Isaac that used to wear gray. The 2nd reg't is one of those that is supposed to be kept back from harm's way because of how the seceshes have been treating the galvanizeds when they catch them. Still hanging them in bunches like that poor crowd up in Kinston, God save their souls.

I think we are going to get closer to the coast. Maybe down around Fort Macon or somewhere like that. They say Macon is a stronger fort than Sumter even, and that the Rebs don't have any chance of ever getting it back. We don't have any idea how we're going to get there, but I hear there is a railroad that runs from here to there. I wouldn't complain for the world, but I sure kind of hope we don't have to walk any more any time soon. We pulled out of Little Washington a couple days after Christmas with what we had left of the wagon train. It was another hard walk, and it took us seven days to get here. But if we do walk, at least this time I'll be walking right along with my brother. Thank the good Lord.

I think a lot now about Sgt. Brown and the lieutenant and how they helped us in the hard days. And I even worry about Adolphus and Mr. Pool. I don't doubt Cit is rambling around somewhere down here, but he is a big man and he don't need me to worry about him. As long as Job is working and kicking, I'm pretty sure you and mama will always have somebody you can lean on when you need. Write me and tell me everything that's happening around Petty Shore now. If you send it through Plymouth, I'll always be sure to get it. Just address me: Pvt. James Pierce, Co. C, 2nd NC Infty US. The USA always knows where the 2nd NC is, whether it's town or swamp. And I'm always going to be wherever the 2nd NC is.

The good Lord be praised for all the great things that are happening. He has made a new year and is now making a new world. Hug yourself and mama for me. I am so happy.

Your brother,

Pvt. James Pierce, 2nd NC

 

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