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Head Qurs., 1st Brig. 1st Div. 11th A.C.
In the Field near Tullahoma
March 1st 1864
My Dear Wife

We reached this place yesterday evening amid one of the worst rain storms I ever was in. It rained very hard from noon yesterday until noon to-day. It has been so cold that we almost perished. The ground is all mud, & in mud & water we are encamped. It was impossible to march to-day. Part of our train has just got in, some 15 wagons together with the rear guard were in the mud all night. I went out with Col. Harrison to bring them up. In coming the last 2-1/2 miles, five of our mules died in the wagons. Several died last night.

All are in good spirits, & the boys are cheering each other up. Since it has quit raining, we are beginning to get dry.

I recd. your letter this morning, dated the 22nd, but mailed the 21st [sic]. I am most happy to learn that you are well. I would rather you would not engage in teaching if you can otherwise content yourself.¹ I will try hard to keep my pledge to protect & provide for you while my life & health is spared. Yet as I cannot be with you, I wish you to use your own pleasure in the disposition of your time. You have not been a dead weight on my hands. You are all the world to me, and the thoughts of you comfort me amid all the trials of life. May God bless you and spare us.

I recd. letters this morning from Bro. Johnie, H. C. Cheston, J. M. Barr & Cordelia Dunmire. All are well. I will enclose some.²

My hands get so cold I cannot write. I will try & write every day. We will leave here to-morrow. I have not seen the Company to-day but last night all were well.

Give my love to all. Write as often as you can. We have collected $600 for the Band. I do not know whether I will be sent home or not, I think it doubtful. Pray for me. May our Heavenly Father keep you in health & happiness.

Farewell,
Your Affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

1. Mary Culver’s letter of February 22 is missing from the Culver Collection. In this letter, Mary had raised the subject of securing a position as teacher in the Pontiac school system. [↩]
2. The letter from Sergt. John Murphy was dated February 19 and mailed from Loudon, Tenn. Sergt. Murphy had written of his surprise at learning that Brother Sammy had enlisted. When Sammy had raised the subject, John had told “him to go to school two or three years, and then if necessity required it, to get into the army.” John Murphy to J.F.C., Feb. 19, 1864, Culver Collection. H. C. Cheston’s letter was postmarked Carlisle, Feb. 20, 1864, and Cordelia Dunmire’s (illegible), Feb. 15, 1864. [↩]