Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

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United States Sanitary Commission [letter head]
Hd. Qurs., Co. “A”, 129th Ills.
Washington, D.C., May 29th 1865
My Dear Wife

Another day has passed without any word from you. I begin to fear that you are sick. The last I have recd. was of the 11th inst. while everybody is receiving letters two & three days from home. I have thought that possibly you may be expecting me home on the 1st of June. I shall not go until the Regt. does if I can help it, as I wish to get all my accounts settled as soon as possible, & it will save me a great deal of trouble. Continue reading →

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Head Qurs., Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vols.
Washington, D.C., May 28th 1865
My Dear Wife

We received a mail this morning but no word from you; possibly I may be more successful next mail. I shall go to the city with sister Hannah & Bro. Charlie at 5 o’clock in the morning. Bro. Wes & wife did not come up to-day as they promised; I presume the mud prevented them. The weather has been beautiful to-day. Continue reading →

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Sunday morning,
May 28th 1865
My Dear Wife

I will add a postscript this morning as the mail has not gone out yet. Charlie has gone up to the house to bring Hannah to camp. We are now very nicely fixed up. Cris [Yetter] has been very busy preparing for the reception of ladies this morning. A large bouquet of Laurel decorates the table, & the cedar boughs surrounding the tent & the arbor in front combine to make it very comfortable & pleasant.

It is a beautiful morning. The birds are singing sweetly & the sun shining brightly for the first time in four days. The band of the 2d Brig. is playing some very fine airs. How I wish I could be with you to-day. The band is now playing “Ever of thee I’m fondly dreaming.” I hope before many Sabbaths pass around, we may be all at home. It is time for Inspection. I may add a line or two again before I seal my letter up. Good Bye.

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

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Head Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
Washington, D.C., May 27th 1865
My Dear Wife

I learned through J. A. Fellows this evening by a letter from his wife of the 22d inst. that you are well. I have been sadly disappointed in receiving no letters this week, & it is now Saturday night. I have felt uneasy thinking you must be sick. I hope, however, to hear from you by to-morrow’s mail. Continue reading →

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Hd. Qurs., Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vols.
Near Alexandria, Va., May 23d 1865
My Dear Wife

We are very busy preparing for the Review to-morrow, but I haste to write a few lines. ((Those that did not draw new clothes repaired and cleaned their old uniforms. Small arms and accoutrements were cleaned and polished, “and preparations made … to appear in a proper condition” for the review. Grunert, History of the 129th Illinois, p. 258.)) I have recd. only three letters from you since our arrival here, but presume you thought we were cut off from communications & therefore did not write. Continue reading →

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Hd. Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vols.
Near Alexandria, Va., May 21st 1865
My Dear Wife

Yours of May 2d came to hand this afternoon. I am happy to hear that your health & Howard’s is as good as it is & hope God may bless you with good health. I intended to write you a long letter to-day, but it rained hard until noon & threatens to rain again. For three days it has been raining almost constantly, & it has become very muddy & unpleasant. ((The regimental historian reported that on the 21st, “the rain continued to pour down in torrents. . . . We had the greatest trouble in preparing our meals, got wet to the skin, and had to remain in the tents until more favorable weather commenced.” Grunert, History of the 129th Illinois, pp. 257-59.)) To-morrow we will move a few miles nearer Washington & get ready for our Review on Wednesday. Continue reading →

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Burke’s Station, Va.
May 19th 1865
My Dear Wife

As I was trudging along yesterday evening longing for camp, I was most agreeably surprised to meet Bro. Wes. [Culver] coming after me with a horse & permission for me to leave the column. ((Wesley Culver was one of J.F.C.’s younger brothers, and he was currently stationed near Fairfax Station. Wesley had been mustered into service on Nov. 22, 1862, as assistant surgeon of the 56th Pennsylvania. On Feb. 26, 1863, he was medically discharged, because of a “dropsical leg” occasioned by an 18-foot fall from a tree at the family home which fractured several small ankle bones. By Oct. 27, 1864, his injury having healed, Wesley reentered service as assistant surgeon of the 202d Pennsylvania Infantry. March 1865 found him on detached duty, near Burke’s Station, with Companies D and I of his regiment. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA.)) I mounted & we came to this place, where I found Sister Hannah, Mary, Willie & the baby. ((Wesley was felled by “consumption” in March, and his wife Mary had come down from Carlisle to help nurse him, bringing with her their two sons, five-year-old Willie and Charlie who had been born in December 1864.)) All very glad to see me. We have but 7 miles more to camp. Continue reading →