As we have orders to move to Atlanta to-morrow, I may not have an opportunity to write

Joseph Culver Letter, September 5, 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”]

Hd. Qurs. Co. “A”, 129th Ills. Vols. Inftry.
Chattahoochie River, Ga.
Sept. 5th 1864
My Dear Wife

As we have orders to move to Atlanta to-morrow, I may not have an opportunity to write.1 We have recd. no mail yet; I cannot understand it as the trains are running by here regularly.

I have just returned from the Picket line, where I was called to marry a couple, but they had no license & I refused as the laws of this state require a license. They seemed very anxious. The Lady was about 33 or 35 & had a daughter with her, about 12 years old. The man was 30 yrs. old. I was very sorry to disappoint them, but I sent them to Marietta where I think they can obtain a license.

We are all well. It has rained very heavy here this afternoon & we got slightly wet.

Sherman is returning to Atlanta with the Army.2 We have not learned the full result, but 3,000 prisoners have arrived, & it is rumored that 7 or 8,000 more are on the road.3 The enemy’s loss is reported at 15 to 20,000. Our loss is slight, but we have not heard any numbers.4

I hope to hear from you very soon. May God bless you.

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

  1. Out-generaled by Sherman and defeated in the battle of Jonesboro, General Hood and his Army of Tennessee evacuated Atlanta on the night of September 1. Hood reassembled his army at Lovejoy Station on the Macon & Western Railroad, 25 miles southeast of Atlanta. On the night of the 1st, soldiers of the XX Corps heard heavy explosions in the direction of Atlanta, and General Slocum ordered each of his division commanders to make a forced reconnaissance toward the city. A column from General Ward’s division, on approaching the city, was met by Major James M. Calhoun, who formally surrendered Atlanta and informed Col. John Coburn that the Confederates had evacuated. The next day, September 3, the remainder of the XX Corps, except the units detailed to guard the Chattahoochie bridges, marched into and took possession of the city. Harrison’s brigade was detailed to remain on the Chattahoochie to protect the railroad bridge and the commissary and ordnance depots. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXVIII, pt. V, pp. 19, 330, 350, 392-93. []
  2. General Sherman on September 4 issued orders for his armies to take position in and around Atlanta, “until a new campaign is planned in concert with the other grand armies of the United States.” Thomas’ Army of the Cumberland was to occupy the city and protect the Western & Atlantic Railroad; the Army of the Tennessee would occupy East Point; the Army of the Ohio Decatur; and the cavalry Sandtown, Roswell, and “other points on the flanks and along our line of communications.” O.R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXVIII, pt. V, p. 801. []
  3. General Sherman reported that in the battle of Jonesboro, his “army group” captured two four-gun batteries, killed about 500 Confederates, and wounded another 2,500. Union losses during the period August 26-September 2 would not exceed 1,500. Confederates captured in this phase of the Atlanta Campaign totaled about 3,000. Ibid., pp. 822, 830-31. []
  4. Confederate losses during this eight-day period were in excess of 6,000. On evacuating Atlanta, the Confederates destroyed seven locomotives, 81 cars loaded with ammunition, small arms, and stores, and abandoned 14 pieces of artillery and a large number of small arms. Ibid., p. 778. []
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