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Head Quarters Company A, 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
Near Louisville, Ky., Sept. 27th 1862

Dear Mary

We were marched at a late hour to this place, being about 4 miles from where we first encamped, through clouds of dust. There are about 12,000 in this division command[ed] by General Gilbert. ((Charles C. Gilbert, a graduate of the U.S. Military Academy and Mexican War veteran, had been severely wounded at Wilson’s Creek on Aug. 10, 1861. Recovering, he had been appointed acting major general on September 9, 1862, and placed in command of the Army of Kentucky, the unit to which the 129th Illinois was assigned. When Buell’s Army of the Ohio absorbed the Army of Kentucky on September 29, Gilbert assumed command of the III Provisional Corps. O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XVI, pt. II, pp. 530, 558; Ezra Warner, Generals in Blue: Lives of the Union Commanders (Baton Rouge, 1964), pp. 173-174.)) General Buell’s army are concentrating at this place making in all encamped at this place about 200,000. ((There were on September 27 about 93,000 Union soldiers camped in and around Louisville. Like many people, J.F.C. was unable to estimate crowds. O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XVI, pt. I, p. 19.))

There is but little prospect at present of our getting into a fight—Bragg, the only enemy near, has but 40,000 & will not attempt to do anything. ((Between them, Generals Bragg and Kirby Smith had about 40,000 effectives. Ibid., p.
1094.)) We are all in good health & spirits. We have 3 days rations in our haversack consisting of hard pilot bread & raw side meat which we cook by putting it on a stick & holding in the fire. ((“Hard pilot bread” is better known as hardtack.)) We have had nothing else since we left Pontiac. This morning we succeeded in buying [a] little coffee & are now making it. Co. A was fortunate last night in securing a shed used to husk Corn in, & I confiscated the overseer’s room. I am at his desk, using his paper & ink. We have a very nice bed, wash stand, looking glass & desk. I hope we may remain here for a few days.

The sun is just beginning to rise. We have been drilling since 3 o’clock. We commence each day as early. No noise is allowed, & you would be surprised to waken up at daylight & find one or two hundred thousand men drawn up in line of battle.

I feel very thankful that our situation is no worse. The army of Buell’s have been on the march for 32 day[s] on half rations all the time & often for three days without anything to eat. They look half starved. ((Some of Buell’s divisions had been marching and maneuvering since August 20, when Buell put General McCook’s division in motion up the Sequatchie Valley. Confederate raids on the Louisville & Nashville Railroad compelled Union officers to put their men on half rations as early as mid-July. O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XVI, pt. I, p. 279.))

I hope to hear from you soon & know how you are getting along. I told [Charles] Custer to repair the fence around the lot I got of [Marcellus] Collins. You will please see that it is done & pay him for it. Give my love to all. Write as soon as you can. I have no postage stamps & shall have to send without stamp unless I can borrow.

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver