Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

In Camp at Loudon Tenn.
19 February 1864
Brother Frank:

Your favor of 1st inst containing letters from mother, Sammy, Brucker and Grunbaum was received three days ago. It was a very interesting package. I had not heard from home in a longtime. I was somewhat surprised to hear of Sammy’s enlisting. I knew he wanted to come into the army – he has often told me so, but I never gave him any encouragement. Once, when asked by him what he had better do with regard to entering the service, I told him to go to school two or three years, and then if necesity required it, to go into the army. I had hoped that he would be spared the evil influence incident to camp life. But it may do him good. Continue reading →

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Head Qrs. 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 11th A.C.
Nashville Febry. 17th 1864
My Dear Wife

I wrote to you last night, enclosing Pass & twenty dollars, also in a letter a few days previous I enclosed an order on Wm. B. Lyon for $30. I hope they will arrive safe.

I feel very well to-night. Col. Harrison telegraphed his wife to start on Friday, so that she will be here Saturday evening [the 20th].

I am living in the expectation of getting to see you soon. All is prospering finely. We are all well. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps
Nashville, Tenn., Febry. 16th 1864
My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 9th inst. was placed in my private drawer yesterday afternoon in my absence, ((Mary Culver’s letter of February 9 is missing from the Culver Collection.)) & I did not get to see it until this evening. I am very happy to hear that you are in good health, & I hope from the tenor of your letter that you are trying to enjoy yourself. Do not allow yourself to feel uneasy about the danger of my position. I do not think the danger is any greater than in the command of a Company. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters, 1st Brigade, 1st Division, 11th Army Corps
Nashville February 13th 1864
My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 6th & 7th of February came to hand this evening and made me both happy and Sad. ((Mary Culver’s letter of February 6th & 7th is missing from the Culver Collection.)) Very happy to learn that you are safe at home and in good health and Sad that you are at home instead of here. Pontiac seems to have but few charms for you, and I have felt such a longing desire to be with you to settle down in our quiet home once more and enjoy the bliss of a “Home Circle” again. Bright visions of comfort and happiness are constantly flitting before my fancy, whether waking or sleeping, while at my desk or in my leisure hours, they still come. The pleasures of the Winter have brought everything back afresh, & I feel as if I was without a home. And your utter loneliness is continually in my mind. Continue reading →

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Head Qrs. 1st Brig., 1st Div., 11th A.C.
Nashville, Tenn., Febry. 12th 1864
My Dear Wife

Your letter of the 6th inst. came to hand this evening. ((Mary Culver’s letter of February 6 is missing from the Culver Collection.)) I am very happy to hear that you have arrived Safe at home. I judge from the tenor of your letter that this is not the first letter you have written since you arrived at home, but it is the first I received except your letter from Decatur. ((While en route north by rail from Cairo to Pontiac, Mary Culver had a layover at Decatur. The Decatur letter is missing from the Culver Collection.))

I am sorry to hear that you find it dull and uninteresting in Pontiac, yet it has been full as much so here. It is with difficulty that I can reconcile myself to your absence & were it not that we have considerable business on hand, I do not know how I should pass the time. I do not know how many times I have wished you back. Continue reading →

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Nashville, Tenn., February 11th 1864

My Dear Wife

I hoped very eagerly to receive a letter from you this morning, but the mail brought me nothing. I feel satisfied, however, that nothing serious has happened, or else the telegraph would have informed me. I have also looked in vain for Bro. Sammy. He must have taken the other route or else passed through here without stopping. I have received no letters since I last wrote. I wrote to Mother [Culver] to-day & will write to Sister Hannah soon. Continue reading →

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Feby. 10th 1864

Dear Mary

I left my letter open thinking I would write more if I got time, but I overlooked it to-day & it missed the mail. I recd. a letter from Sister Hannah [Culver] this morning, which I will enclose. ((The subject letter from Hannah Culver is missing from the Culver Collection.)) I also commenced a letter to Mother this morning, but did not get it finished in time for the mail. Continue reading →

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Head Qrs. 1st Brig., 1st Div., 11th A.C.
Nashville Febry. 9th 1864

My Dear Wife

I set down to write to you last night, after finishing my letter to [James W.] Remick, but was interrupted; and, no opportunity offering to-day, I sent it thinking that even the short note would be acceptable. We recd. no mail to-day, but to-morrow morning I hope to receive a letter from you dated at Pontiac. I enclosed Remick’s letter to you, so that you might become acquainted with its contents & thus be able to give those matters a little attention. ((The Remick letter is missing from the Culver Collection.)) Neither Fleming or Wolgamott have paid over anything, & Remick writes that the amount due him is $28. ((For additional information about J. R. Wolgamott, see J.F.C.’s letter of Nov. 16, 1862. Efforts to secure more data on Fleming have been unsuccessful.)) I will send some money home soon to apply on those notes; in the meantime, collect all you can.

I am not well to-night. I have had a very bad cold for several days, and I got so cold on Brigade Drill this afternoon that I have a fever to-night. The cook is making up a stew for me which I will take & go to bed, & I hope to be well in the morning. I was not up to the Regt. to-day, but presume all are well. Hoskins was much better yesterday.

I enclosed a letter from Bro. Thomas [Murphy] day before yesterday, with his Photograph, requesting mine. If you have one to spare, send it; I have none here. I will write to Bro. Johnie & him soon. I have no communications from home [Carlisle] since you left. I must write to Mother [Culver] again to-morrow. Sammy [Murphy] has not called here yet. I fear he has gone through without an opportunity of coming to see me. ((J.F.C.’s fear was unfounded. Pvt. Sam Murphy was still at Camp Yates, 111. Adjutant General’s Report, State of Illinois, Vol. VIII, p. 656.))

I wrote several days ago that the box of butter had arrived. We have tried it & found it excellent. I am waiting anxiously for news from Pontiac. Give my love to all. I know Mother [Murphy] will be rejoiced to see you. Remember me kindly to all our friends. May God bless and keep you

Your Affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

Pontiac Ill Feb 8, 1864

My Dear Husband

I received yours of the [4th?] written at Chicago last evening with my book worsted buttons cords silk &c I thank you for them all for the music more than I can tell I think the pieces are beautiful Emily and I sang until nearly eleven last night How did you like the ‘Home without a Baby” or did you not have time to notice it particularly? I will write off the words sometime and send them to you As you said nothing of the beads I conclude you did not have time to hunt for them I can send another time or wait till I go myself the worsted suits exactly, the book I’ve hardly had time to look at Did you ever read it? Howard has been very fretful ever since you left his gum is quite sore and we think two upper teeth are almost through. Im looking over the paper & yesterday I saw the name Howard Q Culver in the Illinois Legislature Continue reading →

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Head Qrs., 1st Brig., 1st Div., 11th A.C.
Nashville Feby. 7th 1864

My Dear Wife

Enclosed is a letter to the Sunday School, which you will please deliver to some one to read. ((J.F.C.’s  letter of February 7 to the Sunday  school  is missing from the Culver Collection.)) I have been interrupted so often that I fear very much it will not prove interesting.

I have a very bad cold & a constant tickling in my throat & as the room is getting cold, & it is growing late, I do not deem it prudent to write much. It has just struck ten.

To-morrow will be a busy day, so that I shall not have time to write before the next mail goes out. Give my love to all. Do not forget to remember me to a throne of Grace. May God bless you. I feel very anxious to hear from you. Good night.

Your Affect. Husband
J. F. Culver