The Bands have been playing all day and everything in nature seems happy

Joseph Culver Letter, August 30, 1864, Page 1[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”]

Head Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols. Infty.
In the Field, Chattahoochie River
August 30th 1864
My Dear Wife

The mail is late to-day & has not yet come in, while the time has arrived for the mail to go out. I am happy to say that my health continues excellent. The Bands have been playing all day and everything in nature seems happy.

I felt gloomy forbodings all day yesterday and this morning when thinking of the probable result of the Chicago Convention, but I trust in God that all may pass off quietly.1

Chris [Yetter] is on picket to-day and succeeded in trading for a few green peaches and beans of some citizens. I think we will soon open up a market for vegetables though they are not very plenty. All the Company are well.

I must close for Inspection & the mail. It seems like old times to be thus able to talk to you every day.2 May our Father in Heaven bless you and grant you abundance of Grace. Give my love to all.

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

P.S. No news from Sherman3

  1. The date for the birth of their child was at hand, and J.F.C. was anxiously awaiting news of the baby’s arrival. The National Democratic Convention had convened in Chicago to draft a platform and nominate candidates for the presidency and vice-presidency. []
  2. While the brigade had been on the march and in the riflepits, J.F.C. had been compelled to abandon his practice of writing almost daily to his wife. With the brigade posted north of the Chattahoochie, J.F.C. resumed his former habit. []
  3. General Sherman with five corps had advanced to the southwest. On the 28th the Army of the Tennessee reached Fairburn on the Atlanta & West Point Railroad. The next day was spent burning ties and twisting rails. On the 30th Sherman marched east, and nightfall found the Armies of the Cumberland and Tennessee camped a few miles west of Jonesboro, a station on the Macon & Western Railroad. Schofield’s Army of the Ohio was posted near Red Oak Station on the Atlanta & West Point, where it could shield the movements of the supply trains. Cox, Atlanta, pp. 198-99. []
This entry was posted in 1864, August. Bookmark the permalink.

Comments are closed.