Pontiac March 26th 1863
Dear Sister Mary
Your very welcome and long looked for letter was gratefully received this morning. You probably have received Mother’s letter by this time giving an account of her journey and sickness. I am with her today and every day when the weather and walking will permit. Mother is at present sitting up in bed trying to sew a little. The sore on her back is not like the one she had on her neck. Continue reading
Pontiac Mar. 20th 1863.
My Dear Mary
I wrote you a letter and sent it with Mrs. Cotton and have not received an answer yet. I have been expecting a letter all of this week from you but none has come and I did not know but something was wrong with some of you. I could not send any thing with Mrs. Cotton only a small package I presume you will feel uneasy to hear how I get along, I am getting along very well. Sammy has not gone any to school since I came home. Maggie comes down most evry day now since they have got a girl. Sarah left them about the time I came home and they have Martha Hill now. Continue reading
Pontiac March 8th 1863
My Dear Children
When I left you, I little thought that I would be under the hand of disease so long; before I left you I did not feel well for several days although I said nothing, you probably have received Sammys last by this time.
I had a prosperous journey, but had to stop often and long, I was 6 hours in Indianappolis and was afraid I would, not reach Chicago that week, but fortunately did arive at 10 oclock 40 min Saturday night. Continue reading
Pontiac Ill. Feb. 1st 1863
Dearest Husband
It is so cold today we can hardly keep warm I wonder if you have as changeable weather in Dixie I have spent the Sabbath as usual There were a great many out to Sabbath School this morning Abbie & Lide have come again & joined the bible class My class numbers but four now I learned much to my surprise today that Josephine Murphy & her little sister has the small pox they do not think the little one will live Josephine is not so bad I believe she took it of Mr. Maples children I hardly know what to do it seems to me I ought to go & see her if I had no babe I would not hesitate a moment & if she should die I shall regret it always that I did not go I hope you will answer her letter immediately. Is it not most time for the S. School to have another letter? I think so. Continue reading
Pontiac Ill. Jan. 31st 1863
Dearest Husband
I seat myself by the stand at 7 o’clock this evening to have a good long chat with you If I knew that you were well I would set about it in better spirits but I hope for the best of it were not for hope “Blessed boon to mortals” how could we live Our baby is about as usual he coughs as usual but does not mind it much none of our family have had any letter from Jonnie yet though there have several come to town I feel quite certain he has written to some of us I have very little faith in the regularity of the mails & make all due allowance for miscarriages It is a long time since I have heard from any of our Carlisle friends. Do you hear frequently? Continue reading
Pontiac Ill. Jan. 23th 1863
My Dear Husband
I could not write any last night baby was so wide awake Our “Christmas Tree” passed off very pleasantly the other evening The tree was placed inside the railing in the court room It was not an evergreen & looked odd enough but it satisfied the children The band gave us some of their best music They have three additions since you left Tailor Jones Sammy Greenebaum & John Lewis the latter uses the cymbals The room was crowded although the night was very unpropitious The children sang, Mr. Ketchum made a speech, had refreshments of apples cake candy & nuts a bountiful supply & then the gifts were distributed & you can imagine how little hearts beat & eyes sparkled I know it would have done your heart good to have seen them Continue reading
Monday Morning, 19th Jan./63
Dear Mary
As an opportunity may possibly offer to-day to send letters North, I haste to add some matters of business. There are some laths standing in the corner of our hen house. Please get some one to put them in the wood shed, else they will all be destroyed. See that all the doors are securely fastened of the house, &, if Foote did not put in those window glass, close up the place so that the snow & rain will not get in or it will destroy all the ceilings & paper. I have some fear of the kitchen sinking when the frost comes out of the ground. The foundation is very insecure. If some of our friends will give it a little attention in time, that part of the building can be saved. I had hoped to be able to have made it secure before this. Continue reading
Mitchellsville, Tenn., Jan. 14th 63
Dear Wife
All well this morning. Loomis goes North by 10 o’clock train. It is raining but quite warm. I have not had opportunity to write more since my last.
Was at the Regt. yesterday & found all well. Lieut. Smith is better.
In haste,
Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver
Pontiac Ill Jan. 12th 1863
My Dear Husband
Yours of Jan. 6th arrived today. You spoke of one written “yesterday” which I have not received but hope to soon I dont wonder you think this rather a one sided correspondence I think though you will have enough reading matter for one while if my letters reach you all together. I hope you will hear from us soon You are right in thinking that baby & I are well he still has a cough but I think we can break it up with some medicine we have prepared The health of the community is good the Small Pox is “no more” Those who have had it are almost without exception gaining rapidly. Here has been no deaths beside those I mentioned a few days ago There is nothing of special interest transpiring People are much disappointed in the result of the attempt to capture Vicksburg they look so anxiously for the opening of the Mississippi It seems to me the war is just begun nothing of interest from the Potomac. Continue reading
Mitchellsville, Tenn., January 12th 1863
My dear Wife
I was made most happy yesterday and to-day by the reception of all your letters, dating from the 10th to the 26th of Dec. I thank God that you have been spared. On Friday last, unable to bear suspense longer from the rumors in camp, I telegraphed to you asking you to answer for yourself & Mrs. Smith. I have as yet received no reply & presume the dispatch never reached you. I am informed this evening that Park Loomis starts for Pontiac to-morrow morning & will carry letters through. I have been very busy until a late hour this evening, &, as I have one or two business letters to write yet, I shall be unable to write a full answer to all your letters. Continue reading
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