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Carlisle, Penna.¹
Febr. 9th 1864[5]
10 A.M.
My Dear Wife

I arrived here about an hour ago & am at Harry’s; found all well & Sister Hannah here. I will go out to Mother’s after dinner.² All the friends so far as heard from are well, & all I have seen wonder why you are not with me.

The snow is very deep, about 18 or 20 inches, & the sleighing, of course, excellent. The meetings are still in progress in the lower charge with glorious results. I shall doubtless be busy while here.

I have seen but few acquaintances yet. I shall certainly expect to hear from you at New York if not here. I shall leave for N.Y. on Monday morning [the 15th] if not sooner.

Jennie says that Harry & her wrote to us over two weeks ago. I presume you recd. the letters before this. She is very anxious to hear from you. All send much love. I will write again soon. Kiss Howard for me. May the richest of Heaven’s blessings rest upon you. Enclosed is a photograph for Mrs. & Dr. Capron.³ Please deliver it.

Good Bye,
Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

1. J.F.C., his leave due to expire in four weeks, was en route to rejoin his unit. When last heard from, the 129th Illinois, along with other units General Sherman had led on the “march to the sea,” was encamped near Savannah, Ga. J.F.C. planned to proceed to New York City by railroad and there board a ship for Savannah and a rendezvous with his regiment. Harry Cheston was married to J.F.C.’s sister, Jennie C. Hannah M. Culver was J.F.C.’s youngest sister. [↩]
2. Mrs. Martha Dunmire Culver, J.F.C.’s widowed mother, was currently living in the family home in Carlisle’s east ward. [↩]
3. Dr. and Mrs. Elisha Capron of Pontiac were close friends of the family. While J.F.C. had been on leave, Dr. Capron had treated him for piles, which had plagued him since June 1864. Pension File, J.F.C, NA, Application No. 960, 772, Certificate No. 766492. [↩]