There must be something wrong with the mails as they do not come at all regular

Joseph Culver Letter, September 22, 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 Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
Atlanta, Georgia September 22nd 1864
My Dear Wife

I was disappointed to-day in not receiving any letter from you to-day. There must be something wrong with the mails as they do not come at all regular or else our friends at home are forgetting to write.

It is still very wet and has been raining most of the day. The news of Sheridan’s victory in the Shenandoah Valley was confirmed this evening by telegraph from Sec. Stanton;1 we gave three hearty cheers. We recd. no papers to-day.

I had a letter from [Erastus] Nelson by Lt. Edgington who returned from Nashville to-day. He will lose the use of his left arm and will be discharged in a few days.2 Capt. Coppage of Co. “I” has been dismissed [from] the service for disobedience of orders.3 Capt. Martin has resigned; his health is very bad.4 Capt. Perry is still in the North somewheres. When we last heard of him, he was on his way to Lake Superior for his health; I presume he is resting upon the laurels he won in the rear.5 Lt. Smith is well as usual; Chris [Yetter] and him are fast asleep. Nate [Hill] is on duty in the city. All are well. Capt. Walkley has been appointed A. A. In. Genl. of the Brigade.6

Our review which was to have been to-day has been postponed until Saturday on account of the weather. I was to see Frank Long to-day while in the city; he feels rather blue about his prospects.7

Chris had a letter from Tom Smith to-day; he is still at Quincy, Ills., and is rapidly improving.8 Jim Chritten has the Jaundice but is not seriously ill. He is still at Kingston, Ga. [Pvt. W. H.] Bronson has returned to Chattanooga much improved in health; he has been home on furlough. Sutcliff’s furlough has not yet returned; if it succeeds, it will be a good opportunity to send money home. I must close & go to bed. I wrote last night until nearly midnight, & I shall not wake at reveille if I dissipate too much. Give my love to all. May Our Father in Heaven bless you.

Your affectionate Husband
J. F. Culver

  1. Secretary of War Stanton, on September 20, telegraphed General Sherman, “Yesterday, the 19th, Major-General Sheridan attacked the Rebel forces under Generals Breckenridge and Early near Bunker Hill, in the Shenandoah Valley, fought a hard battle all day and a brilliant victory was won by our forces. The Enemy were driven off twelve miles, 2,500 prisoners were captured, 9 stands of colors, 5 pieces of artillery were taken, and the rebel killed and wounded left in our hands.” O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXIX, pt. II, p. 423. []
  2. Pvt. Erastus J. Nelson of Company A was severely wounded by a gunshot wound in the chest at the battle at Peachtree Creek on July 20, 1864. He was hospitalized at Nashville, and given a medical discharge on Oct. 8, 1864. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA. []
  3. Joseph W. Coppage, a 38-year-old farmer, was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as 3d lieutenant of Company I, 129th Illinois Infantry. He was promoted captain of the company on Dec. 3, 1862. Captain Coppage, on May 18, 1864, near Cassville, Ga., had refused an order to take charge of the regimental picket line, and when confronted by Colonel Case, who reiterated the order, Coppage shouted “I’ll not [do] it, Sir, and you can show your favoritism as much as you please,” and “I wish you would arrest me; I know my rights, Sir, and will just say what I please.” Court-martialed, Coppage was dismissed from the service on Sept. 8, 1864. Ibid. []
  4. George W. Martin, a 35-year-old farmer, was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as captain of Company H, 129th Illinois Infantry. Captain Martin resigned his commission on Sept. 13, 1864, on receipt of a surgeon’s certificate attesting to his disability because of chronic diarrhea. Ibid. []
  5. John B. Perry was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as captain of Company C, 129th Illinois Infantry. Captain Perry was hospitalized at Louisville on May 20, 1864, suffering with chronic diarrhea, and on July 11, 1864, he was given a leave from the hospital. He did not rejoin the unit, as he resigned from the service on Jan. 7, 1865, on receipt of a surgeon’s certificate attesting to his disability. Ibid. []
  6. Samuel T. Walkley, a 44-year-old farmer, was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as captain of Company B, 129th Illinois Infantry. Captain Walkley was detached on Sept. 16, 1864, and assigned to duty as inspector general of the 1st Brigade, Third Division, XX Corps. He was mustered out near Washington, D.C., on June 8, 1865. Ibid. []
  7. Pvt. Frank Long was transferred from Company A, 129th Illinois, to Company H, 16th Illinois Infantry, on June 8, 1865. He was mustered out at Louisville, Ky., on July 8, 1865. Ibid. []
  8. Wounded at New Hope Church on May 27, 1864, Private Smith was hospitalized at Quincy, Ill., until receiving a medical discharge from the service on May 18, 1865. Ibid. []
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