You will be surprised on looking at the date of my letter to find it written at Nashville, but such are the fortunes of War

Joseph Culver Letter, February 3, 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=”falso” streetviewcontrol=”false” scrollwheelcontrol=”false”  addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”36.167783; -86.778365{}1-default.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

Head Quarters 1st Brig., 1st Div., llth A.C.
Nashville February 3rd 1864

My Dear Wife

You will be surprised on looking at the date of my letter to find it written at Nashville, but such are the fortunes of War. We are still here. This morning we were ordered out at 10 o’clock, loaded up, & were ready to start when the order came for us to remain here for the present, so we have unpacked and set down to work again. ((For the background to these orders and countermanded orders see J.F.C.’s letter of February 1, 1864.)) How long we will remain here we cannot tell. I am almost sorry you went home. The Col.’s family were hurried off at short notice & have scarcely more than reached home. Continue reading

Posted in 1864, February | Comments Off on You will be surprised on looking at the date of my letter to find it written at Nashville, but such are the fortunes of War

I recieved your address from Cousin Hanna a few days since and hasten to write

Joseph Culver Letter, February 1, 1864, Letter 2, Page 1Bridgeport Feb 1st 1864

Dear Cousin:

I recieved your address from Cousin Hanna a few days since and hasten to write. I am going to school this winter. I heard of little Franks death and sympathize with you in your bereavement. My cousins have met with sad afflictions since last hearing from them. I was much surprised to hear of Uncle’s death.

Aunt Sarah has moved out west to [Penna?] Guthrie Co Iowa They like it very much.

Moses Baker (Lewey’s husband) has gone to mercantile business and is prospering finely. The Atlantic & Great Western Rail Road is completed as far west as Mansfield Josiah Naftzger intends building a warehouse on the Rail-Road Bridgeport is building quite rapidly and will in a short time have good business facilities

The roads are very muddy and indeed are almost impassable. There has been very little snow this winter and the weather has been very mild with the exception of two or three days. Please send me your and your wife’s photograph. We have one of yours but I should be pleased to have one of later date

I will close as I have nothing more of importance to communicate. Please give my love to Cousin Mary and reserve a good share for your self. Please write soon and believe me

your Cousin
Gordie Dunmire

Posted in 1864, February | Comments Off on I recieved your address from Cousin Hanna a few days since and hasten to write

We are still here, all packed and ready to march

Joseph Culver Letter, February 1, 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=”falso” streetviewcontrol=”false” scrollwheelcontrol=”false”  addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”36.167783; -86.778365{}1-default.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

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

My Dear Wife

We are still here, all packed and ready to march. Mrs. Harrison & Mrs. Merrell went home this morning. ((Mrs. Merrill was the wife of Maj. Samuel Merrill, the acting commander of the 70th Indiana.)) A large portion of our train is out on the Murfreesboro Pike. We have had several orders to start and as many to wait. We are now held in readiness to move at an hour’s notice. ((General Rousseau, commander of the District of Nashville, had complained on the 31st that when Colonel Harrison’s brigade took the field, there would be insufficient soldiers to guard the railroad between Nashville and Chattanooga. When apprised of this, General
Thomas issued instructions for Harrison’s brigade “to remain at Nashville until troops can be obtained to relieve it.” O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXII, pt. II, pp. 270, 320.)) We are all tired waiting. I had to unpack part of the boxes to get at some blanks. The boys commenced rebuilding their walls to cover with their “Dog Tents.” ((Private Grunert of Company D noted in his diary, “The tents were again erected and the camp made as commodious as possible.” Grunert, History of the 129th Illinois, p. 43.)) We will not probably move until Wednesday morning [the 3d]. Continue reading

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I have mislaid your last letter & so cannot tell what date it was sent

Joseph Culver Letter, January 31, 1864, Page 1East Villa Jan 31st /64

Dear Brother & Sister;

I have mislaid your last letter & so cannot tell what date it was sent. It was received about a week ago. Harry [& Wes?] received letters from you yesterday & you say you have not heard from home for a long time. I have been writing almost every week and cannot tell why you do not receive them but suppose the mails are rather irregular. One of your letters contained a photograph of Mary & Frankie. In your last you said it contained a collar also but that was not in. I am sorry you do not receive my letters for although they may not be very interesting it would still be hearing from home.

Charlie has started to college again and seems satisfied now to go on. He had a letter from Mary’s brother Sammy yesterday who says he has enlisted and expects to join the Army soon. I hope the necessity for new recruits will soon be over. I fear there will be many sad hearts before the war is over. Continue reading

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I imagine to-night you are at the wharf in Cairo

Joseph Culver Letter, January 30, 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=”falso” streetviewcontrol=”false” scrollwheelcontrol=”false”  addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”36.167783; -86.778365{}1-default.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

Head Qrs. 1st Brig., 1st Div., 11th A.C. ((By Special Order No. 4, 1st Brigade, First Division, XI Army Corps, January 11, 1864, J.F.C. had been detached from the regiment and assigned as an aide-de-camp to the brigade commander. The First Division, XI Corps, commanded by Brig. Gen. W. T. Ward, was organized in early January 1864. Five infantry regiments (the 70th Indiana, the 78th Ohio, and the 102d, 105th, and 129th Illinois), constituted the division’s 1st Brigade. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA; O.R, Ser. I, Vol. XXXII, pt. II, p. 11.))
Nashville, Tenn., Jany. 30th 1864

My Dear Wife

I imagine to-night you are at the wharf in Cairo. I hope well and enjoying yourself. ((Mary Culver had taken a steamboat from Nashville to Cairo, where she would board the Illinois Central Railroad.)) I wish I had requested you to telegraph from Cairo, for I feel considerable anxiety to learn whether you have arrived safe. Yet trusting in God’s protecting care and the fair prospect of your safe and pleasant trip, I do not intend to borrow trouble, though it seems to me, and in all probability will be, a long time before I hear from you. Continue reading

Posted in 1864, January | Comments Off on I imagine to-night you are at the wharf in Cairo

Our daughter sends a kiss to “Ucco Frank and Autie Cuvver” she can say “Dixie dress” as plain as any baby can

Joseph Culver Letter, January 9, 1864, Page 1Pontiac Jan 1st 1864

Dear Brother & Sister

I feel ashamed of myself for not writing to you before this time, and also for not thanking you, for our daughter, for the beautiful present she received from you. She sends a kiss to “Ucco Frank and Autie Cuvver” she can say “Dixie dress” as plain as any baby can, it is a beautiful color. I had just made her one, I will send you a sample, it was 60 cts per yd. in Mr. Maxwells store, (Mr. (Henry Babcocks) I dont think I will make up her “Dixie dress” this winter for she has plenty without it, besides, it is too nice a dress for her to wear until she gets old enough to keep off the floor, and take care of it better than she can now. Accept our thanks for it. I shall endeavor to have her keep it a long time to remember the donors by. She often speaks of Dear little Frankie, nearly every day she says something about him, one day when she was playing and talking to herself she said “Poor Frankie dead – Frankie gone – heaven – sky – moon – God – is.” Albert makes me think so much of the time when he was here last winter. Albert has the whooping-cough now, has had it about five weeks, he does not cough as hard as Mary did I am in hopes he has the worst over, although I presume he will cough some all winter. Continue reading

Posted in 1864, January | Comments Off on Our daughter sends a kiss to “Ucco Frank and Autie Cuvver” she can say “Dixie dress” as plain as any baby can

Two little babies are enough to keep one busy without much else to do

Joseph Culver Letter, December 7, 1863, Page 1East Villa Dec 7th 1863

Dear Brother Joe!

I have determined writing to you every day for more than two weeks yet have never been successful Two little babies are enough to keep one busy without much else to do; they are not more troublesome than the most of children I presume yet it occupies much time & attention They are well and grow very fast particularly Carrie L. our youngest is quite a big fat baby to be only six weeks old She is her Grandma’s pet. Minnie Culver who is two hours older although healthful and thriving [?] yet is not so large and strong she was always very small & delicate to fac similie of her Papa We recieved your letter on Tuesday of last week and was glad to hear from you and of your good health We feel so anxious on account of you being so much afflicted with Rheumatism It is very cold here and there are several inches of snow on the ground Wes has gone to the army in Va We have had one letter since he left he was in the 56th Pa Vol camp near Brooks Station 2nd Brig 1st Div. 1st Corpse. Washington care, Col. Meredith. I send you his address perhaps you may want to write to him His foot was not well when he left and we felt anxious for fear he could not get along Poor Wes! his is a hard lot I pity him and who is to blame? I see by Charlie’s letter he wrote to put in here that he too wants to leave home Mother says I shall tell you not to encourage him He has a good chance now to obtain an education but does not rightly appreciate it If you write to him encourage him to stay home & study for father will not send him to college unless he shows more inclination to be studious He and McGregor are intimate, we all think a great deal of him Harry gets along very well with his department. He has some bad boys to govern who give him much trouble, yet this is found not only in his department but to a great degree in College this year, several have been sent away for wickedness I wrote to Mary about a month ago She has not replied yet perhaps is kept busy with her boy who she says is quite a paragon of excellence. Anna Frug has left school and gone home she got tired going Sist. Lizzie’s health is not at all good She had one very severe attack in the fall and Amia thinks she may take another as she was not at all well yesterday Millers have all recovered again Kate was up two weeks ago today Sis & family are well maybe I can tell you something new about her the next time I write Joe Saxton now Joe Deering & her sist. Mary were up here last week Joe has a young son just three months old she looks well Mary still has a cough and looks thin Old Mr Breneman was burried today Mrs Postlewaite died very suddenly in Newville where she was visiting two weeks ago and was brought home & burried There has also been a number of soldiers young men from Carlisle brought home dead Han has got a situation as teacher in Harrisburg She will go or expects to go after the subsiding of Small-pox which is raging there now We will remain here untill Spring and maybe longer if Hanna goes away for mother dont want to be left alone here she says it is too lonely both she & father are very well this winter They were up to see aunt Ann on Friday she & her old man are getting along as usual Now dear brother I believe I have given you the principal news Harry mine says he will write if he can and enclose if he is kept busy with his school (excuse the blots my pen dropped out of the case). All join in sending much love and hope you [?] soon & often

We do not forget to pray for you Take good care of your health this winter there are more deaths caused from epedemics than are killed write soon to

your affectionate sister
Jennie C.C.

Posted in 1863, December | Comments Off on Two little babies are enough to keep one busy without much else to do

This is Sabbath afternoon the first Sabbath in Dec. & consequently Election day with you

Joseph Culver Letter, December 6, 1863, 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=”falso” streetviewcontrol=”false” scrollwheelcontrol=”false”  addmarkermashupbubble=”false” addmarkerlist=”36.167783; -86.778365{}1-default.png” bubbleautopan=”true” showbike=”false” showtraffic=”false” showpanoramio=”false”]

Head qrt Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vol. Infty.
Nashville Tenn Dec 6th 1863

M. E. S. School
Pontiac Ills.

Dear Friends

This is Sabbath afternoon the first Sabbath in Dec. & consequently Election day with you & I imagine just about the time of day you are assembled for that purpose being just 2 1/2 oclock. Little Mary Nelson is sitting at the other end of our little table writing too. We both concluded to write to you & now she is asking me what I write. It is very pleasant & I thank God who has always been so bountiful in blessings for the comforts of life I enjoy. I have had some occasions of sorrow & many of joy since I last wrote you and the swift current of passing events has delayed my writing to you yet you are still as ever dear to me my wife is here & we are both enjoying excellent health. We often speak of you and were both very happy to learn through Mrs. Gaff & Mrs. Reed of your prosperity. I have not had an oportunity to ask all the questions about each one of you I wish to yet, but as Mrs Gaff remains here some time I shall learn a great deal more. Continue reading

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I expect you have come to the diliberate conclusion that I do not intend to answer your very welcomed letter

Joseph Culver Letter, December 2, 1863, Page 1Fairbury Ill December [?]

Mr & Mrs Culver,

Dear and remembered Friend’s I expect you have come to the diliberate conclusion that I do not intend to answer your very welcomed letter, which I received at Magnolia, I have very often thought and talked of writing you, but have neglected it untill now, but better late than never you know, but pleas excuse me and I will try and make amends in the future. I will say first we are all well, for which we feel very thankfull, and hope you are enjoying the same great blessing, for indeed health is to be praised above evry thing els.

Oh! how dearly would I love to see you booth this evening and have a good long talk with you, but as that happy privilege is denied me, I will use this poor medium of communication. I have grown so negligent and careless about writing letters, that it is indeed quite a task for me to do it, since other things have come for me to attend to, Can it be true indeed, that little Frankie has left you? oh! I sympathize with you greatly, for indeed it must be almost more than you can bare, but God knows best, and in takeing the little darling from you, he means to draw you closer to him, it is hard to give them up, I know it must be although we have never had the trial, but as I often sit with little Jessie on my lap and watch her as day by day she grows more interesting, for a moment I think it would be wicked to have her taken from us, then I stop in amazement to think I would be so wicked as to let such a thought enter my head, for when they go now we have a happy thought to console us, that they are free from the abusements of this troublesome world, may the good Lord give you grace to bare up under this great trial is the prayer of your sincere Friend. Our little Jessie is prized by us highly, she is nearly nine months old, she sits alone and gets up by chairs, and will soon walk, and we think about the nicest baby that is, but enough of the baby. Ma is living with us know, they have moved over with us, Pa is going to stay on the farm this winter and is coming in the Spring, your friends are all well as far as heard from. Mr Russell was up all last week, and is just as big a mischief as ever, the girls, Lizzie & Laura are comming home to spend the Holawdays, I would love so much to spend them with you, but that I know cannot be one thing we will hope, that long before another rolls around, that peace and quiet may be restoard, and all of us be enjoying the pleasures of home, wont that be appricated more than ever, by those that live to get home but oh! how many lonley hearts will forever be sad, at the thought of so many loved ones who lie away from home, that they can’t even have the pleasure of visiting there lonley graves, may God strengthen the hearts of the bereaved, & give them grace to overcome all

Mr Ladd’s were up last week, they were quite well, I havent been to Pontiac for an age almost, and therefore dont know bunch about it, only that they all keep well, Scott is about the same old fellow as well as [Tristie?] so you may boath know that we dont change much, but I must hasten, and now my dear Friends before I close, let us make a bargin, it is too bad that not a letter has passed between us, and nerely too long years since you went away, we will promis to write you often if you will answer; why should we live so negligent when we could do better, let us try. but this is hardly worth sending and I am almost ashamed to do it, for mistakes are more than any thing els, but excuse them if you please, for Jessie is with me nerely all the time.

[Mea?] & Scott joins me in sending much love to you both, answer soon very soon I will be happy to hear from you. Good by

Dont forget to answer soon, very soon

Ever your true friend
S E McDowell

Posted in 1863, December | Comments Off on I expect you have come to the diliberate conclusion that I do not intend to answer your very welcomed letter

Father has rested better last night than for a week previous but still is sinking

Joseph Culver Letter, November 23, 1863, Page 1Monday Morn. Nov. 23.

Dearest Brother:

Father has rested better last night than for a week previous but still is sinking. His voice is quite strong however and his mind perfectly clear and calm. Twice on Saturday and yesterday he called us around him thinking he was dying. At times he suffers the most excruciating pain but they have been less frequent yesterday & last night. It gives him pain to talk so he generally lies very still The family all gather home almost every day All are priviledged to be here but Bro James & yourself. How often I wish you were differently situated but you as well as we must try and submit. If it only pleases God to not let him suffer so much, still we try to say. “Thy will be done.” Wes’s wife is quite ill She has inflamitary Rheumatisim You can tell from experience what she suffers, & has no one to take care of her or the children but Wes himself Continue reading

Posted in 1863, November | Comments Off on Father has rested better last night than for a week previous but still is sinking