[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=”33.866348; -84.46611{}1-default.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

Hd. Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vol. Infty.
In the Field Near Chattahoochie River
July 11th 1864
My Dear Wife

Contrary to expectation, we are still laying in Camp resting. Alf [Heutson] was here a short time ago, & he thinks there is a prospect of our remaining here several days.

The mail has generally gone out at 4 o clock, but I have just learned that it goes out to-day at 2, so I have only a few minutes to write in. I just finished a letter to the Hill Sunday School, but I was interrupted so often that I fear it will not be interesting.

We are all well to-day and the weather very warm. There is light Skirmishing along the river bank, but it is three miles distant and we seldom hear it.¹ We had prayer-meeting last evening and a very profitable time. Alf drew a sketch of the burning of a cotton factory by our Cavalry and left it at my tent when I was on picket, but someone stole it before I got to see it.² He intended it for you. I sent you a map of our position two days ago.³

The mail has just arrived, and I hope has brought a letter for me, but I must send this out or it will be too late. Give my love to all. May our Father in Heaven bless and preserve you.

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

1. Historian Grunert reported that in the skirmishing on July 11, Private William F. Dermund of Company E was killed. Grunert, History of the 129th Illinois, p. 82. [↩]
2. Union cavalry had occupied Roswell on July 7, where there were “extensive cotton, wool and paper mills, running at their full capacity and till this last moment turning out supplies for the Confederate government.” The owners in a futile effort to protect their property claimed their ownership was French and raised the tricolor. Sherman did not recognize this subterfuge, and they were burned. Cox, Atlanta, p. 137. [↩]
3. This map is missing from the Culver Collection. [↩]