God in his Infinite mercy has spared my life to enjoy the light of another Holy Sabbath

Joseph Culver Letter, August 14, 1864, Page 1[google-map-v3 width=”400″ height=”300″ zoom=”12″ maptype=”hybrid” mapalign=”right” directionhint=”false” language=”default” poweredby=”false” maptypecontrol=”false” pancontrol=”false” zoomcontrol=”true” scalecontrol=”false” streetviewcontrol=”false” scrollwheelcontrol=”false”  addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”33.748315; -84.391109{}1-default.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

Head Qrs Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
In the Field Near Atlanta Georgia
August 14th 1864
My Dear Wife

God in his Infinite mercy has spared my life to enjoy the [light?] of another Holy Sabbath, a day which has appeared more beautiful than any I have Enjoyed for a long time to add to this I have every reason to believe he has blessed you with health and comfort. Let us praise him for all his loving kindness toward us. This morning opened up very beautiful though it is excessively warm. The pickets succeeded in effecting a bargain with the Enemy last night that there would be no firing along the line of our Brigade last night and today and the bargain has been well observed – some balls still reach us from the left of [illegible] on our right but it is comparatively quiet & I most earnestly hope it may continue so. It is only a Quarter past nine oclock & no one but God can tell what a day may bring forth. About Six oclock this morning I went about one mile to the [illegible] to get some papers out of the Regt. wagon. After I was beyond the [illegible] of the picket [illegible] I heard some little birds singing very sweetly the first but one Exception I have heard for a long time. The day [seemed?] so Quiet and Holy that I could almost imagine [illegible] home how pleasant it would be this morning to [illegible] the Lord and hear the children [sing?] to mingle with the Congregation and hear the word expounded and the peace and quiet of the day spent in [profitable?] Conversation and reading. [illegible]

I feel this morning that the task is a [illegible] I always feel so well rewarded that I am [illegible] I can trust only to God for the result and do the best I can. Lieut Smith is getting along very well though he will not be fit for duty for some time. I sent Henry Park over to see Bro. John yesterday and he came by {[Corpl. Hodges?] and [name] also by the Illinois Hospital [illegible] Ullery and [name]. Bro. John is well. He has not heard from Bro. [name] for some time but was expecting daily to hear from him. I sent him the letter from mother and the handkercheifs also a couple of your letters. [Albertson?] is well but very busy upon a map for the War Department [illegible] country through which we have passed. Josephus Ullery and [name] are both much better and will probably be up with the Company in a few days. Some of the [illegible] are [pairing?] up and the enemy [illegible]

Some of the [Forts?] have kept a constant [illegible] of Shelling over Atlanta for the past week. Deserters say that it is impossible in the city to keep out of the way of them except by burrowing in the ground. Many [illegible] children have been killed and wounded. It seems almost barbarous to allow them to remain in the city after it having been [illegible] by our army for nearly three weeks. I heard this morning that Gen. Sherman [illegible] them yesterday to remove all non-combatants out [illegible] destroy it. Every [regiment?] has been moved to [illegible]

Brigade. Our Pickets have been disposed to do less [illegible] Good use of this opportunity. At Marietta [illegible] we pushed on in advance of our fortification and close to [illegible] had them at disadvantage and they were very willing to [play quits?]. [illegible] comes and goes daily now. I recd. neither letters or papers yesterday but expect some to day. How I wish I could spend this day with you. May our Father in heaven comfort and bless you and increase your strength as the time of your trial approaches. I thought your letters would interest Bro. John [illegible] or I would not have sent them. You need not feel any uneasiness about them for in those I sent there was nothing improper for them to know. There are a few that are exclusively my own. Those I have retained or destroyed [illegible] a great deal about religion lately [illegible] letters to the Sabbath school. I hope most earnestly that God will [illegible] of all the men in the Company to love and [illegible]

Six deserters came in to the left of our line last night. They estimate the enemy force at [illegible] 55. to 60,000. Let us praise God for all his benefits. I am rejoiced that you [illegible] encouraged. May the richest of Heaven’s blessings rest upon you I shall [anticipate?] the promised “Good news” Give my love to mother and [illegible]

I will try and write to mother to-day I need not again assure you of my love and affection for you. Committing all to the hand [illegible]

I remain as Ever
Your affect. Husband
J.F. Culver

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