Another day has passed, another week commenced, and God has been and still is with me

Joseph Culver Letter, September 25, 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=”33.748315; -84.391109{}1-default.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

Head Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
Atlanta, Georgia September 25th 1864
My Dear Wife

Another day has passed, another week commenced, and God has been and still is with me. I long for some news from home. No mail to-day, and consequently no letters for me. The Enemy captured and destroyed the mail train supposed to contain several days mail.1 I presume they have those intended for me. I still hope that you are well, but I cannot entirely remove the anxiety to know which continually haunts me.

The Sabbath Day has been unusually pleasant and happy. This morning I attended church in the city; this evening I preached at the Hd. Qurs. of Co. “G” from Hebrews, 2nd Chap. 2nd & 3rd verses. God was with me, & my soul is happy. We propose to commence a series of protracted meetings on Tuesday evening [the 27th] to continue so long as it may be profitable. Pray for us and ask all our friends to pray in Faith. We trust that God will pour out of his “Holy Spirit” upon us.

Lieut. Smith resigned some two weeks ago, and his papers returned home approved. He will start for home sometime next week. He was a good officer, & I am sorry to lose him.2 I shall try to have [Chris] Yetter succeed him but may not succeed. Godfrey is entitled by rank,3 but, having been promoted over Yetter without sufficient reason, I should much prefer Yetter, & I am satisfied the Company would also. Smith was loth to leave the company and service, but the condition of his wife’s mind and health left him no choice. He has been in perfect misery ever since he returned [from leave].

I thank God with all my heart for giving me a wife, who, while she is strong and earnest in her attachment, is willing to sacrifice so much for her Country’s good, who, instead of repining and mourning, can be cheerful and even comfort me. Believe me, I do not love you less than if you were less strong and self reliant; and, if I thought our Holy Father would not disapprove, I would pray to love you more. You have all my love, stronger than life and above all else, save God. I tried to imagine myself in the congregation at home, but there was so little resemblance. God is still the same in love and manifestations of mercy here.

All the Company are in good health. Nate Hill is still on duty in the city but was out to see us to-day. Alf Huetson was also here; he is well, & says there is a rumor afloat again that our Crops will be ordered to the Potomac.4 I cannot think it true so soon after this last call. We have no news to-day owing to the loss of our mail last night. We recd. by telegraph yesterday news of another victory in the Shenandoah Valley,5 also of rumors of Peace propositions from Jeff. Davis.6 The latter is rather improbable. If God will speed our cause until the close of the coming campaigns here and elsewhere, we may hope to have them in such a condition that such propositions may come within the bounds of reason. Just now I believe they would ask much more than we could honorably grant.

Atlanta is almost rid of citizens. You have doubtless read in the papers the correspondence between Genls. Sherman and Hood.7 To persons afar off the policy adopted may seem severe, but, under the circumstances, it was all that humanity could dictate. It was impossible to subsist them, & we have suffered so much from an inveterate foe in our rear that it has become a necessity to drive them before us.

The weather changed very suddenly last evening, and the night was very cold. We were scarcely comfortable with our overcoats this morning, but the day became very pleasant, though it is quite cool to-night.

Bill Myers of the 20th Ills. was here to-day.8 Alva Garner is sick in Hospital at Marietta;9 all the rest are well. [Lt.] Smith went to church in the city to-night with a squad of 12 of the Company. There is very encouraging revival in progress in several of the churches. May God increase the good work.

I saw a letter from Mrs. Paige to-day to Myers. She had heard of her husband’s death only through the papers & was trying to cheat herself into the belief that it was not her husband. May God deal kindly and pour the oil of consolation into her heart. Poor woman. With all his faults, she loved him dearly, and the future will look very gloomy to her. He was an excellent and faithful soldier and a very efficient officer.10

Let us lift our hearts in praise and thanksgiving for his boundless mercies to us. Give my love to Mother [Murphy] & Maggie and kiss baby for me. I would like much to see him.

I fear Green’s book & my stamps and tobacco have met the same fate of your last letters. May the richest of Heaven’s blessings rest upon you, and the Grace, Love, and Peace of “The Father, Son, and Holy Spirit” abide with you. Write as often as you can make it convenient.

Your affectionate Husband
J. F. Culver

  1. Confederate columns in the latter half of September again struck at Sherman’s supply lines. General Forrest’s corps advanced from its base in northeastern Mississippi, crossing the Tennessee River on the 20th, and headed north, wreaking havoc on the Tennessee & Alabama Railroad. Athens, Ala., was captured along with its garrison on the 25th. Next morning found Forrest’s horse-soldiers striking toward Pulaski, Tenn., as Northern generals frantically deployed units to counter this thrust toward Nashville and the vital Nashville & Chattanooga Railroad. Brig. Gen. William H. Jackson, whose cavalry division had remained with the Army of Tennessee when General Wheeler departed on his August raid, had forded the Chattahoochie in the fourth week of September at Phillips’ Ferry. On the evening of the 24th, one of Jackson’s columns captured a train near Marietta. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXIX, pt. II, pp. 646, 881; Cox, Atlanta, pp. 222-23. []
  2. Lieutenant Smith’s resignation was to take effect on Sept. 23, 1864. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA. []
  3. William A. Godfrey, a 35-year-old carpenter, was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as a corporal in Company A, 129th Illinois Infantry. Corporal Godfrey was promoted to 1st sergeant on Jan. 20, 1863. He was hospitalized at Savannah, Ga., in the late winter and spring of 1865, but rejoined the regiment in time to be mustered out with the unit on June 8, 1865, near Washington, D.C. Ibid. []
  4. There was no truth to the rumor that the XX Corps was to be transferred to the Army of the Potomac. []
  5. Secretary Stanton on the 23d had telegraphed Sherman that on the previous day Sheridan’s army, following up its success at Winchester, had defeated General Early’s army at Fisher’s Hill. “Nothing saved Early’s army from total destruction,” he added, “but the cover of night.” Leaving 2,000 prisoners in Federal hands, the Rebels retreated up “the Valley in the greatest confusion.” O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXIX, pt. II, p. 442. []
  6. In the summer of 1864 there had been several abortive efforts by well-meaning individuals to find a formula that would bring peace. Negotiations always broke down in the face of President Davis’ “sine qua non of independence.” Randall, Civil War and Reconstruction, pp. 614-18. President Davis at this time was at Hood’s headquarters, where plans were made and approved for the Army of Tennessee to take the offensive. Hood was authorized to advance and destroy Sherman’s supply line, before the Federals could complete their build-up preparatory to a resumption of the campaign. Cox, Atlanta, p. 221. []
  7. See J.F.C.’s letter of September 13, 1864. []
  8. William H. Myers, a 21-year-old Pontiac carpenter, had been mustered into service on Aug. 9, 1861, as a private in Company D, 20th Illinois Infantry. Private Myers reenlisted as a veteran-volunteer at Big Black Bridge, Miss., in the winter of 1863-64. On May 28, 1864, he was detached to the Pioneer Corps, Third Division, XVII Corps, Army of the Tennessee, and in August was promoted sergeant. He was mustered out on July 16, 1865, at Louisville, Ky. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA. []
  9. Alva Garner, a 23-year-old Pontiac farmer, was mustered into service on June 13, 1861, as a private in Company D, 20th Illinois Infantry. Private Garner was wounded in the arm at Shiloh on April 6, 1862, and in January 1863 was detailed as a nurse in a LaGrange, Tenn., hospital. In the autumn of 1863 Private Garner was hospitalized at Memphis. On Jan. 5, 1864, at Big Black Bridge, Miss., he reenlisted as a veteran-volunteer. Private Garner was promoted to sergeant on Oct. 3, 1864, and discharged with his regiment at Louisville, Ky., on July 16, 1865. Ibid. []
  10. Charles L. Paige, a 24-year-old Pontiac bookkeeper, was mustered into service on June 13, 1861, as a private in Company D, 20th Illinois Infantry. Private Paige was promoted regimental sergeant major on June 18, 1861. On Jan. 14, 1862, he was commissioned 1st lieutenant of Company D, and three months later captain. On April 20, 1863, he became acting lt. col. of the 9th Louisiana Colored Infantry, a position he held until rejoining his company in Sept. 1863. Captain Paige was killed in the battle at Atlanta, July 22, 1864. Ibid. []
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