Head Quarters, Company A, 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
Louisville, Ky., Sept. 29th 1862

Dear Mary

We returned about noon to-day from Picket duty. We had a very pleasant time being Quartered in a very beautiful grove. We brought one prisoner, a deserter from General Bragg’s Army. He reported Bragg retreating.¹ Miller’s Battery arrived here this evening. Bro. John [Murphy] was left sick in Chicago with fever but was getting better fast & will be here in a few days.² General Nelson was killed this morning by General Davis.³ I have heard no one express any regret. He was disliked by the whole Army for being tyrannical, drunken & very unpleasant.

It is reported, & we all hope it is true that Buell has been removed & that General Hooker will take this command.⁴ Thousands of Buell’s men on every side of us proclaim him to be a traitor; that he withheld them when at one stroke he could have destroyed Bragg’s entire army.⁵

We are all doing very well, but few sick & all generally cheerful. I expect to hear from you in a few days. My health is very good. Give my love to all. Yesterday was Sunday, yet I am sorry to say I did not think of it until nearly night. We were out early in the morning & marched out into the country. I was so busy that I forgot all about the day of the week. Bro. Cotton informs me that he did not find it out until he went down town.⁶ Adjt. Plattenburg sends his respects.⁷ He says you need not be uneasy as he will take care of me. He has brought his desk into our office & does business here which makes this the head quarters of the Regiment. Gagan arrived here day before yesterday.⁸ He brought news for a great many of the company, & I was rather disappointed, but I know you were unable to go out, & I presume the rest did not think of it or know he was coming.

I hope you are doing well & by this time able to get around & I earnestly hope the babe is well & flourishing; that you may not have much trouble; that your health may not be impaired. May the blessings of Heaven rest upon you all for which I shall ever pray; As it is time to go to bed, I must say Fairwell

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

P.S. Our position has been changed today by an order from Head Quarters.⁹

1. Pvt. A. A. Dunham of Company C reported that some of the men believed the prisoner to be a spy, and he was put in the lockup. The prisoner, in stating that Bragg was retreating, had given misleading information. On September 29 Bragg’s army was at Bardstown, where it had been for the past week, while Kirby Smith’s divisions were camped in and around Lexington. Bragg’s army on the 30th was increased by 8,000, when Maj. Gen. Carter L. Stevenson reached Danville from Cumberland Gap with his “fine” division. O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XVI, pt. II, pp. 889-891; Through the South with a Union Soldier, p. 22.
2. Miller’s battery (Company M, 1st Illinois Light Artillery Regiment) had departed from Camp Douglas on September 27. Report of the Adjutant General of the State of Illinois, Containing Reports for the Years 1861 -66 (Springfield, 1886); Vol. VIII, p. 665.
3. On the morning of the 29th, Maj. Gen. William “Bull” Nelson had breakfasted at the Galt House and was standing at the desk, when Governor Oliver P. Morton of Indiana, accompanied by Brig. Gen. Jefferson C. Davis and two other men, entered the lobby. Davis, “a small, sallow, blue-eyed, dyspeptic-looking man, less than five feet nine inches high, and weighing only about one hundred and twenty-five pounds,” accused the powerfully-built, ex-naval officer Nelson of having insulted him at their last meeting.
   “Go away”, the six-foot-four, 300-pound Nelson snapped, his manner expressive of his contempt for Davis. Other words followed, and Nelson slapped Davis with the back of his hand. He then turned his back on Davis and walked to the stairway. As he did, Davis secured a pistol from one of his companions and shot Nelson to death. McDowell, City of Conflict, pp. 99-101.
4. In Washington, officials at the War Department had become disenchanted with Buell’s
   conduct of the Kentucky Campaign. On September 24 the decision was made to relieve
   General Buell and replace him with General Thomas, provided that: (a) the army was not
   in the presence of the enemy; (b) Buell had not gained a victory; or (c) Thomas was too far
   separated by geography to enter upon command of the army. The staff officer entrusted
   with this confidential dispatch, signed by General in Chief Henry Halleck, reached
   Louisville on the 29th. General Thomas, taking the position that Buell had completed
   preparations to move against the foe, telegraphed Halleck, asking that Buell be retained in
   command.
   President Lincoln and his advisors, in view of Thomas’ unwillingness to assume the responsibility, reconsidered their decision to sack Buell. Before the day was over, Halleck had drafted and forwarded a telegram, directing that the order changing commanders be suspended. O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XVI, pt. II, pp. 538-539, 554-555.
   The story reaching J.F.C. that Buell was to be replaced by Maj. Gen. Joseph Hooker, the popular commander of the Army of the Potomac’s I Corps, was a garbled version of what was transpiring at army headquarters.
5. Col. J. C. McKibbin, the staff officer entrusted with the order relieving Buell, reported,
   there is “much dissatisfaction with General Buell” and “no probability of a fight within a
   week.” Ibid., p. 554.
6. Thomas Cotton, a 36-year-old minister, had enlisted as a corporal in Company K, 129th Illinois, at Pontiac on Aug. 2, 1862. When the regiment was mustered into federal service for three years, on Sept. 8, he was appointed chaplain. Cotton resigned on Aug. 6, 1864, because he was suffering from “bilious derangement,” which had been aggravated by the terrible Georgia climate. This disability had induced a certain amount of nervous depression, which made it impossible for him “to move through the regiment with that glow of mental and social energy” that enabled him to succeed in his work. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA.
7. Philip D. Plattenburg, of Pontiac, Illinois was 31 years old when he enlisted on Aug. 15, 1862, as a private in Company K, 129th Illinois. He was mustered in for three years’ service, and appointed regimental adjutant on Sept. 8, 1862. Adjutant Plattenburg served with the regiment throughout the war and was mustered out at Washington, D.C., on June 8, 1865. Ibid.
8. William Gagan, a 29-year-old Irish newspaperman, had been appointed regimental sutler on Sept. 9, 1862, by Col. G. P. Smith. Eighth Census, Livingston County, State of Illinois, N A ; Regimental Papers, 129th Illinois, NA, RG 94.
9. The death of Nelson and the need to improve the organization of the army resulted in a sweeping reorganization on September 29. The divisions camped in and around Louisville were organized into three corps to be commanded respectively by Maj. Gens. Alexander McD. McCook, Thomas L. Crittenden, and Charles C. Gilbert. Chapin’s brigade was redesignated the 38th and assigned to Brig. Gen. Ebenezer Dumont’s Twelfth Division. Dumont’s division was not given a corps assignment and would report to headquarters, Army of the Ohio. O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XVI, pt. II, pp. 558-559, 595; Regimental Papers, 129th Illinois, NA, RG 94.

Hardin Library staff would like to wish everyone a safe and happy homecoming this weekend. We’re showing our spirit, today.

From left to right, top: Kelly Thormodson, Shane Wallace, Cassie Reed-Thureson, Chris Childs, Amy Blevins, Kerry Minner.

From left to right, bottom: Sarah Andrews, Xiaomei Gu, Linda Walton, Janna Lawrence

Afro-Americana, 1535-1922, is created from the Library Company’s acclaimed Afro-Americana Collection—an accumulation that began with Benjamin Franklin and steadily increased throughout its entire history. These 12,000+ essential books, pamphlets and broadsides, including many lesser-known imprints, hold an unparalleled record of African American history, literature and culture.

Please send additional comments to Janalyn Moss.

Friday, September 28, 2012

Part of our mission at the University of Iowa is community outreach, in the Preservation and Conservation department outreach happens in many different ways. One of our most recent community projects was helping the Davenport Public Library (DPL) with an over-sized map.  Amy Groskopf, the Associate Director at the Davenport Public Library, contacted us about encapsulating a large early map of the Davenport area.  They had sent the map to be conserved by a private conservator but were unable to have the map encapsulated there.

Large Map from Davenport Public Library

Encapsulating a large map

Encapsulation is the process of using an ultrasonic welder using mylar to create a stable housing for flatwork.

The DPL’s map was very large and Bill Voss, Giselle Simon and I all helped to position and move the map around as we created the enclosure. We’re so happy to have a large flat space in our new lab that made this project run smoothly!

Home Pontiac Ill. Sept 28th /62

My Dear Husband

This morning I received a letter from you the first since you left us. It was gladly welcomed & I hope I can hear from you very often. Will you have much time to write? We are all well as could be expected here. Our baby does not grow much yet, he does nothing but eat and sleep (occasionally using his lungs) and is very little trouble at night I am lying in bed writing now though I have sat up a greater part of the day I am very weak yet and can with difficulty walk across the room if I could only have your strong arms to support me a little I could do much better. Oh Frank when will that time come? Can it be long? Mother says it is wrong to try my eyes too much so I must stop for tonight.

Monday morn. Father came after Mother this morning before breakfast Jonnie is at home sick with lung fever Poor fellow I expect he was sadly disappointed because he could not go with the rest Mrs. Smith staid with us until Thursday night She was quite cheerful and seemed to do all she could to make others so I have received a number of letters for you which I will enclose in this

I am very sorry I neglected putting those card in your trunk I can send a few at a time in my letters I wish you would tell me just what you would like to have the baby named I have given him one, Franklin. Shall we give him another or do you think that sufficient. Mother suggests William but I want Franklin first & they dont go well together so. Mrs Foote & Mr. Carter was in to see him tues morning Every home pronounces him a Culver ever inch of him

Did you write home after the baby was born. It makes my eyes ache so I cant write any more now I have to stop every few minutes, and it is a question whether you can read this Maggie and Mother send love Pray for your wife and baby dear Frank and may the richest of Heavens blessings rest upon you

Ever your affectionate wife
Mary M. C.

1st Brigade, 4th Division, Western Department
Head Quarters, Company A, 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
Louisville, Ky., Sept. 27th 1862

Dear Mary

I wrote to you this morning since which time I am informed that I cannot take my trunk with me. I have therefore put all my things in my trunk. I purchased a small valise being all I can carry.

It has been raining all day & is rather muddy; the troops have taken possession of all the buildings within the lines; & are doing very well. We are in Chapin’s brigade & in General Gilbert’s division.¹ The boys in Company A seem to be quite happy tonight & are busily singing in the Quarters.

Louisville is a very pleasantly situated place. I have not been much about the city, but what I have seen is rather fine. We are stationed on the outskirts of the city.

I have not heard from Bro. John [Murphy] since I arrived here. I have kept the brushes &c. as mother [Murphy] directed, & will send them to him on the first opportunity.

Write soon. Give my love to all. Tell Bro. Utley to write.² I can only get a few moments at a time & always feel like writing home first. We may be on the march soon, & I shall have no opportunity to write. You must not neglect in that event to write often. I have not yet written home [to Carlisle]. Send all my letters after you have read them if you think them interesting; but all business letters preserve carefully. I sent some money to Kankakee & expected a receipt. Please preserve it & tell me the bal. due as I requested him to inform me. Tell everybody to write. I should like to hear from some of [the] Remicks.³ I shall try & write home soon.

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

1. Three other regiments (the 23d Michigan, and the 102d and 111th Ohio) had been brigaded with the 129th Illinois to constitute a brigade commanded by Col. Marshall W. Chapin.
2. Leander Utley, a 37-year-old Pontiac Township farmer, was born in Providence, R.I., and had moved to Illinois in 1853. In 1860 Utley, a bachelor, was living in the same Pontiac hotel as J.F.C. On Jan. 7, 1861, he married Margaret Murphy, Mrs. Culver’s eldest sister. Eighth Census, Livingston County, State of Illinois, NA; The History of Livingston County, Illinois . . . (Chicago, 1878), p. 652.
3. James W. Remick was a 39-year-old Pontiac Township farmer. Born in Franklin County, Pa., he had arrived in Livingston County in 1850. In 1856 he was elected sheriff and in 1860 clerk of the circuit court for Livingston County. Remick had married Sarah DeNormandie in 1844, and to the couple were born three children—Abbie, Lida, and Noah. History of Livingston County, pp. 648-649

We recently added the back content of Little Village magazine in our repository, which will ensure this important local title will remain widely accessible (http://ir.uiowa.edu/littlevillage/). Many of the contributors are current or past University of Iowa faculty, students and employees.

Several months ago, Little Village staff contacted the University Archives to scan back issues of the magazine. Our Digital Preservation Librarian advised the LV volunteer regarding the digitization. DRP staff then advised another LV volunteer on the data needed to upload the items. This was a very successful collaboration with LV, especially from my perspective since they did so much of the work!

Our site includes all the issues, from July 2001 to the current issue (Sept./Oct. 2012). Each issue can be downloaded as a PDF or can be viewed on screen. Each of the covers displays, making the issues easily browsed.  You can search the back issues on our site, or you can use Iowa City Public Library’s Local News Index to find articles of interest.

We hope you enjoy looking at the last decade of Iowa City news and arts.

Head Quarters Company A, 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
Near Louisville, Ky., Sept. 27th 1862

Dear Mary

We were marched at a late hour to this place, being about 4 miles from where we first encamped, through clouds of dust. There are about 12,000 in this division command[ed] by General Gilbert.¹ General Buell’s army are concentrating at this place making in all encamped at this place about 200,000.²

There is but little prospect at present of our getting into a fight—Bragg, the only enemy near, has but 40,000 & will not attempt to do anything.³ We are all in good health & spirits. We have 3 days rations in our haversack consisting of hard pilot bread & raw side meat which we cook by putting it on a stick & holding in the fire.⁴ We have had nothing else since we left Pontiac. This morning we succeeded in buying [a] little coffee & are now making it. Co. A was fortunate last night in securing a shed used to husk Corn in, & I confiscated the overseer’s room. I am at his desk, using his paper & ink. We have a very nice bed, wash stand, looking glass & desk. I hope we may remain here for a few days.

The sun is just beginning to rise. We have been drilling since 3 o’clock. We commence each day as early. No noise is allowed, & you would be surprised to waken up at daylight & find one or two hundred thousand men drawn up in line of battle.

I feel very thankful that our situation is no worse. The army of Buell’s have been on the march for 32 day[s] on half rations all the time & often for three days without anything to eat. They look half starved.⁵

I hope to hear from you soon & know how you are getting along. I told [Charles] Custer to repair the fence around the lot I got of [Marcellus] Collins. You will please see that it is done & pay him for it. Give my love to all. Write as soon as you can. I have no postage stamps & shall have to send without stamp unless I can borrow.

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

1. Charles C. Gilbert, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and Mexican War veteran, had been severely wounded at Wilson’s Creek on Aug. 10, 1861. Recovering, he had been appointed acting major general on September 9, 1862, and placed in command of the Army of Kentucky, the unit to which the 129th Illinois was assigned. When Buell’s Army of the Ohio absorbed the Army of Kentucky on September 29, Gilbert assumed command of the III Provisional Corps. O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XVI, pt. II, pp. 530, 558; Ezra Warner, Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders (Baton Rouge, 1964), pp. 173-174.
2. There were on September 27 about 93,000 Union soldiers camped in and around Louisville. Like many people, J.F.C. was unable to estimate crowds. O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XVI, pt. I, p. 19.
3. Between them, Generals Bragg and Kirby Smith had about 40,000 effectives. Ibid., p.
   1094.
4. “Hard pilot bread” is better known as hardtack.
5. Some of Buell’s divisions had been marching and maneuvering since August 20, when Buell put General McCook’s division in motion up the Sequatchie Valley. Confederate raids on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad compelled Union officers to put their men on half rations as early as mid-July. O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XVI, pt. I, p. 279.

by Denise Anderson. 

Fall classes are now in session and the football Homecoming Centennial is upon us, so what better time to examine a felt pennant which advertises “The Collegians,” by Carl Laemmle, Jr. “The Collegians” was a series of 44 two-reel films, in which the same players reprised their characters through four years of a college life full of romance and football from 1926-1929. 

This pennant is from the Ted Rehder Papers.  Ted was a University of Iowa student in 1926 when “The Collegians” series was released and likely screened in Iowa City.  He went on to work serving U of I collegians for 47 years in dormitories and in dining service until his retirement in 1976.  We are grateful to Ted for preserving this piece of ephemera.

“The Collegians” was part of Carl Laemmle Junior’s first series, his silent comedy “Junior Jewels,”  produced between 1926 and 1929 for Universal, the film studio founded by his father in 1912.  In April 1929, Carl junior was placed in charge of all film production at Universal.  Among other genres, he produced horror movies such as “Frankenstein” (1931), “Dracula” (1931), “The Mummy” (1932), “The Invisible Man” (1933) and “The Bride of Frankenstein” (1935).  Production of these films broke Universal after seven years under his direction, due to the Great Depression and the amount of money he insisted on spending in order to deliver the entertainment audiences desired. 

 Check out this and other pieces of ephemeral history from campus life in Special Collections and the University Archives.