We arrived here safe and well yesterday evening

Joseph Culver Letter, March 22, 1865, 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=”35.108459; -77.042074{}1-default.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

New Bern, N.C. Mch. 22nd 1865
My Dear Wife

We arrived here safe & well yesterday evening, and leave at 8 A.M. for Kinston.1 The information is quite reliable, though not positive, that Schofield has formed a junction with Sherman, and that we can go through directly.2 We will have to march from Kinston to Goldsboro — 25 miles, but that is a very small item if we can only get through.

New Bern is a very pleasant place of about 5000 inhabitants. The weather to-day is pleasant but rained last night. I stepped up to a Q. M.’s Desk, while Burk was getting breakfast, and have only time to write a line. May God bless you with health and happiness. Kiss Howard for me.

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

  1. The trip of 33 miles from Morehead City to New Bern was made by rail. []
  2. On March 19, as Sherman’s columns marched east toward Goldsboro and a rendezvous with Schofield, General Johnston attacked Slocum’s wing, near Bentonville. The Confederates gained ground at the expense of the XIV Corps. Reinforced by the XX Corps, the Federals stiffened and held. Next day Sherman arrived on the field with Howard’s wing, and orders were sent by courier for Schofield to march at once from Kinston upon Goldsboro. On the 20th Sherman’s troops felt their way forward, and during the night Johnston’s army abandoned its position. The next day, the 22d, Sherman put his columns in motion for Goldsboro, which had been occupied by Schofield’s troops the preceding day. Sherman entered Goldsboro on the 23d, at the head of Howard’s wing. Cox, March to the Sea, pp. 186-96. []
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