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Head Quarters, Co. A, 129th Ills. Vols.
Mitchellsville, Tenn., Dec. 16th 1862

Dear Mary

I anticipated the arrival of E. R. Maples with several letters from you before this, but notice by the “Pontiac News” that he will leave Pontiac to-morrow. I shall look quite anxiously for him, as I scarcely expect any more letters by mail before he comes. My letter of Dec. 12th will not, I presume, reach you in time to get an answer by him.¹

I am enjoying quite good health & think I shall feel better & stronger from my slight attack of sickness. I have had no letter since the 12th, which indeed is a very short time, but you have by your frequent writing led me to expect one every few days, & I am not fully satisfied without.

Francis A. Gorbet of our Company died this morning in the Hospital here;² he was sick but a few days.

I recd. a letter from Scott McDowell to-day.³ They are all well as usual. He said he saw your smiling face but a short time ago & that all was well, which gave a degree of comfort at least in the absence of better authority from yourself.

All your friends & acquaintances, I believe, are well. I saw Sam Mc [Goodin] and McCartney; they are well. Jim Morrow is flourishing as usual.⁴

Give my love to all. Kiss baby for me. Write soon. I think my letters will go full as well with stamps.⁵ Please send me a few if convenient. May God bless & keep you all.

In haste.

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

1. The Dec. 12 letter is the one J.F.C. wrote his wife on their first wedding anniversary. [↩]
2. Francis A. Gorbet, a 41-year-old Rook’s Creek farmer, was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as a private in Company A, 129th Illinois Infantry. Private Gorbet died of pneumonia in the regimental hospital at Mitchellville, Tenn., on Dec. 16, 1862. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA. [↩]
3. It has been impossible to further identify Scott McDowell. Eighth Census, Livingston County, State of Illinois, NA. [↩]
4. James E. Morrow, a 26-year-old clerk, was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as a corporal in Company G, 129th Illinois Infantry, and immediately promoted to sergeant. On Feb. 23, 1864, Sergeant Morrow was detached and returned to Illinois on recruiting duty. He rejoined the regiment in the summer of 1864 and was mustered out at Washington, D.C., June 8, 1865. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA. [↩]
5. Mary Culver had written on Dec. 2, “Don’t put any stamps on your next letters, perhaps they will be more likely to come.” Mary Culver to J.F.C, Dec. 2, 1862, Culver Collection. [↩]