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Head Qurs., 129th Regt., Ills. Vols.
Wauhatchie, Tenn. May 1st 1864
My Dear Wife

I feared when I wrote this morning that I might not be able to write much to-day.¹ We are almost ready to move, and will commence the march at 6 1/2 A.M. to-morrow.² I am not allowed to tell our destination but you will hear from me before very long if the mails are not stopped. Do not allow yourself to be troubled. Trust in God. All will be well in any event.

My health is excellent. I am furnished with a horse as I am still acting Adgt. There is much that I would like to say, but I have not the time. I will endeavor to give you satisfactory accounts of all our marches whenever opportunity offers, but let me urge upon you the necessity of being contented. It is possible you may not hear from me for a month or even two months, and, though you may feel lonely, still try and be happy. May our Father in Heaven deal kindly with us.

We are 1st Brig., 3rd Division, 20th A.C. You may hear from us through the papers. Give my love to Mother [Murphy] & Maggie and Remember me kindly to all. May God in his mercy keep you and bless you, so that whether we meet again in this world or not, we may have the assurance of a Home in Heaven. Pray for me that God may sustain me by his Grace. Good bye, Dearest.

Your Affectionate Husband
J. F. Culver

1. The subject letter is missing from the Culver Collection. [↩]
2. During the morning the brigade received its long expected marching orders. Rations for three days were issued, and the officers alerted to have their men ready to take the field early on the 2d. All equipment not prescribed, including the officers’ writing desks, was stored. A final dress parade was held during the afternoon, and the troops retired early, sleeping for “the last time at the foot of grand lookout, whose peak towers high toward heaven.” Grunert, History of the 129th Illinois, p. 53. [↩]