Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

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Head Quarters, 1st Brig., 1st Div., 11th A.C.
Lookout Valley, Sunday Evening 11 o’clock
March 20th 1864
Dear Mary

In fulfillment of my promise made this morning, I should set down to write, and, were that the only incentive, I might send an apology and go to bed. But I wish to talk with you, & then I think I shall be ready for Sleep. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps
Lookout Valley, March 20th 1864
My Dear Wife

I have sat down this morning to answer your letters which have accumulated since we left Nashville. I may have answered some of them, but do not now recollect which. Yours of the 12th inst., one enclosing Bro. Tom’s [Thomas Murphy’s] letter, came to hand yesterday. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps
Lookout Vallie, March 17th 1864
My Dear Wife

Yours of the 11th inst. came to hand to-night. I am very happy to learn that your “health is pretty good,” which I suppose to mean that it is as well as could be expected under existing circumstances.

The weather here has been very cold for the past three days. The first day [the 15th] it was spitting snow, blowing and freezing, & I thought it would not last over one day, but next morning (yesterday) it was still freezing and much colder than the day before so that I had to suspend work & fix up a place to write in. I procured some timbers and built a house about 3-1/2 feet high, & set my tent on top. I have a fireplace in it, & by noon to-day I commenced operations again. This will account for my not writing for the last three days. Continue reading →

March 14th Dear Brother

Harry has told you almost everything of importance I was sorry to hear you had moved for Mary was building her hopes upon going down to you again I will write to her this week if possible for I doubt not she is dispirited I wish she would come and spend the summer here Harry has 14 weeks to teach yet in this session if nothing prevents we hope then to spend our vacation at his fathers & relatives I was prevented from going last summer I hope our boy will live & keep well for they all seem so anxious to see him Wes is complaining considerable he fears he is swelling again, Poor fellow! he does not do much at practicing, I wonder how they do keep along as they do. He had bought a horse & buggy & a cow and rented a house & lot for $150 for next year I pity him. Mrs Magary lives next door to us she often talks of the time you boarded there The girls are all married but Mag she is an old maid. Mr. Bowman (our preacher) will board there He has a wife but no children, was he in your class? Good Bye write when you can

In much love your sister
Jennie

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Head Qurs., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 11th A.C.
Lookout Valley, March 13th 1864
My Dear Wife

I recd. two letters from you this morning dated the 3rd & 4th of March. I am sorry to hear that you are suffering with Neuralgia, for, if it is anything like I had at Nashville, it places you in a most uncomfortable position. I am much obliged for the copy of the Song sent me. Continue reading →

Carlisle Mar. 12th 1864
Dear Bro. Frank,-

We received your letter a few days ago, and were glad to hear that you were so well. As you are by this time at the front we can but ask God to shield you from the dangers which threaten, and give you a strong hand, and a stout heart. How sad we would often be if it were not for assurance we have that God reigns, and will cause all things to work together for our good. The future at times seems shrouded in so much uncertainty that bitter dregs often rise even in our present overflowing cup of joy. We picture to ourselves dark scenes and severe trials, many of which God never willed should be ours to suffer. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters, 1st Brig. 1st Div., 11th A.C.
In the Field near Stevenson, Alabama
March 6th 1864
My Dear Wife

We arrived at Stevenson this evening. I recd. your letters of the 23rd and 24th, came to hand by mail, and of the 25th by Dr. Wood who joined us here. I also recd. a very handsome Masonic pin, for which you will please accept my thanks. I am most happy to hear of your good health and that you are trying to enjoy yourself. Three days’ mail has gone forward to Corps Head Qurs., so that I shall get your former letters when we arrive there [in Lookout Valley]. I am also glad to learn that the money I forwarded went safely through. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters, 1st Brig., 1st Div., 11th A.C.
In the Field March 5th 1864
My Dear Wife

We left Tantalon at one o’clock this afternoon. We are now in camp about 5 miles south of Tantalon and 4 miles north of Anderson. We expect to reach Stevenson, Alabama, to-morrow. The [wagon] train just got up as we Started. All right. We are still among the mountains. Our Head Qurs. to-night are upon a little island, about 50 feet wide & perhaps two hundred long. It is “a sweet little nook by the babbling brook.” The moss is growing all around us, & we found some very beautiful flowers, one which contains the colors beautifully blended, red, white and blue. Continue reading →

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Head Qurs., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 11th A.C.
In the Field March 3rd 1864
My Dear Wife

We are as far as Cowan Station at the foot of the mountains; we will cross to-morrow if nothing happens. We are all well. We will receive no letters till we get to Stevenson, two days more. I shall anticipate a letter there.

I hope you are well. Give my love to all. May our Father in Heaven keep you.

Your Affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

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Head Qurs., 1st Brig. 1st Div. 11th A.C.
In the Field near Tullahoma
March 1st 1864
My Dear Wife

We reached this place yesterday evening amid one of the worst rain storms I ever was in. It rained very hard from noon yesterday until noon to-day. It has been so cold that we almost perished. The ground is all mud, & in mud & water we are encamped. It was impossible to march to-day. Part of our train has just got in, some 15 wagons together with the rear guard were in the mud all night. I went out with Col. Harrison to bring them up. In coming the last 2-1/2 miles, five of our mules died in the wagons. Several died last night. Continue reading →