Dated “In Camp near Lenoir Tennessee / Nov 1^st [& 2^nd]. Addressed to Lieut. John M. Deane [Medal of Honor recipient for bravery at Ft. Stedman, VA, 3/25/1865]. 4 pp. in ink on unlined paper 7.5” x 9.5,”, Exhibits fold-marks. Else VG.

Ebenezer W. Pierce was a resident of Freetown, MA, a 42 year-old “Gentleman” commissioned as Colonel of the 29^th Mass. Infantry, 12 /31/1861. Wounded at White Oak Swamp, VA, 6/30/ 1862, he was discharged for disability, 11/8/1864. His regiment served primarily with the 9^th Corps and participated in many major battles of the Army of the Potomac, including Antietam, where it served with the Irish Brigade. Also engaged in the West at the Siege of Vicksburg and with Gen. Burnside during the 1863 Tullahoma Campaign. During service the  29^th Mass. lost 57 killed and mortally wounded and 99 by disease for a total of 156.

The recipient of this letter, John Milton Deane, was a 24 year-old teacher from Freetown, MA, initially commissioned into the 3^rd MA Infantry Militia, 4/3/1861, and mustered out 7/22/1863. Encouraged by Colonel Pierce, Deane accepted a commission in the 29^th MA Infantry, receiving promotions to 1^st. Lieut., Captain, and Major (5/15/1865), and awarded the Medal of Honor for bravery at Ft. Stedman, VA (3/25/ 1865).

In this detailed letter, Col. writes an interesting narrative of regimental affairs in Tennessee during the autumn of 1863. Excerpt as follows:

“…We did not go direct from the Cumberland Gap to Knoxville but went a round about way by a place called Morristown. We go to Knoxville on the 26^th or 28^th of Sept and left there on the 20^th. We stared to go [to] a place called Kingston…but when past way there, we heard a furious  cannonade down below London and so we went in that direction instead of pursuing our  toward Kingston.

It proved to be a fight between the Union forces under Colonel Wolford and the  Rebels. Col. Wolford was completely surrounded by the Rebels in broad daylight and about noon, t’was a bright sun shiny day, and under all thee circumstances Colonel Wolford lost 6 hundred men. The 12^th Kentucky was a part of Wolford’s force and they are said to have behaved scandalously, going off in a most cowardly manner and leaving everything to the enemy. The Rebels captured the artillery and carried it away with them. This is the Col. Wolford of whom the Kentucky people  boast so much.

We went down to Loudon and crossed over the river upon a pontoon bridge. The bridge was so narrow that a horseman could not pass a wagon. We were told that within six miles there were six rebel brigades. Sometimes they drove our pickets almost into camp and finally captured one of our forage trains. There was so much trepidation in  camp that when we were sent out to fee the enemy, we took the precaution to send our bagged across the river and one night had to lay there without tents. About every other day, it would rain and stir up the red, greasy clay in a most interesting manner. Great God, how we did suffer! Oh how I did (you know what) and I had a touch of old Lemuel’s disorder. I began to turn wrong-side out and did not know but I should have to bid farewell to that important part, for it seemed disposed to leave me. Nick Hathaway was  said to have had the largest known, but it seemed to me I had the funniest.

We finally fell back in silence and in darknes and under the cover of our batteries, crossed the river and took up the pontoon bridge. We are now in camp about six miles from Loudon where we are told we are to winter and the men are putting log huts…

Monday morning Nov. 2^nd

A soldier of company E, name Peckham, died last night. He had been unwell several days. None of absent officers have returned…Colonel Christ declined to take command of the brigade upon his return and so I commanded the brigade about 10 days longer and until we were into camp at Knoxville.

I think that great injustice was done Dr. Griffing in the reports you say that were sent you concerning him from Paris, KY. I believe the boys of the Regt. like the doctor and are anxious for him to return…

We have been short for food and the men have been on very short rations for some time. A good many men are bare footed and no shoes can be got at present. I wrote Mr. Duncan yesterday and my wife also. Please name this to them in case their letters are delayed.

The 118^th Ohio are down here, so is Capt. Von Sohlen with his battery. Col. Young & Capt. Taylor have called upon me. Lieut. Hunting is acting adjutant of the Mass. 29^th Regiment. Asst. Surgeon Pratt has not been mustered in yet.He talks of giving it up and going home so as to be there Thanksgiving. His home is at Cohasset, Plymouth County or Norfolk County, Mass. he is rather unpopular because he sowed so much ear and ran away so fast at the first fire at the battle of Blue Springs.

Dr. Coggswell’s crime was in making a false bill of sale of a stolen mule. He got McQuillan to write the bill and the doctor signed the name to it and made 50 dollars by the operation. He also appropriated a dead soldier’s money to his own use and denied that the soldier had any money. I hauled up for it and he sent his note for 80 dollars to the dead soldier’s friends and relative at home. He is now no more a part of me than he is of the dead. I hear from Boston that the 58^th Regiment will probably prove a failure. Richmond can do better recruiting the Alms House than a veteran regiment.

Please write me often and direct to Knoxville.”

Fine collectible. Excellent letter from the blunt-spoken colonel of the  29^th Massachusetts serving with Burnside in Tennessee in the autumn of ‘63.  In protective sleeve, accompanied by a typewritten transcription and research info.    [JP]

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