Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

Chattanooga Tenn. 6 Oct. [sic] 1863.

Dear Sister Mary:

I have just received from Mr. Culver a letter with the sad intelligence of Frankie’s death. Mary I know that I can not reallize to its full extent your great bereavement, but feel deeply for you and mourn with you. Heaven grant you comfort and give you strength to bear up under your affliction. I was much surprised to receive this painful intelligence, for only day before yesterday I was gladdened by the reception of your letter of 13. Oct. and one from Brother Frank of later date letting me of Frankie’s improvement in health. Continue reading →

[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”]

Headqrs. Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vol. Infty.
Nashville, Tenn., Octr. 31st 1863

My Dear Wife

Enclosed find your pass from Louisville to Nashville. Telegraph from Louisville to me telling upon what train you will come. Should you arrive here in my absence, which is very probable, take a carriage at the Depot and go to the next to the last house on the right hand side of the South End of Summer Street (Mrs. Wilkinson’s). It is within a few feet of the Col’s. Headqrs. If either of our Co. officers are in camp, I will request them to meet you in my absence. You will board at our Headqrs. till I can make other arrangements. Continue reading →

[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”]

Headqrs. Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vol. Infty.
Nashville, Tenn., Octr. 31st 1863

My Dear Wife

I recd. your despatch this evening informing me of Frankie’s death. ((Mary Culver’s telegram read, “Frank C. died last night, eleven o’clock. Bury here on Sunday [November 1].” Mary Culver to J.F.C., October 31, 1863, Culver Collection.)) Let us cheerfully Submit to the will of him who doeth all things well. I telegraphed in reply to bury him in a zinc lined coffin, so that if we should ever wish to remove him, it could easily be done. ((The telegram sent by J.F.C. to his wife on October 31 is missing from the Culver Collection.)) If my despatch arrives too late, do not be worried about it. Continue reading →

Oct 31 1863

By Telegraph from Carlisle Pa 31 1863

To Lt. J. F Culver
Co A 129 Ill Vols
via N

Frank C died last night eleven oclock bury here on sunday

Mary L. Culver

[10 L 50 pd?]

[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”]

Headqrs. Co., “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vol. Infty.
Nashville, Tenn., Octr. 31st 1863

My Dear Wife

I was somewhat disappointed this morning in not receiving a letter from you, though the last came through in so short a time that unless the others were equally fortunate, they could not reach me within two or three days.

We had a bad night on picket last night & have just got fairly dried out. It rained almost incessantly and was very cold. I was for once rather fortunate last night, and had the use of a lounge & fire, where I rested very comfortably. We intend to make shelters on each of the picket posts, so that it will at least protect us from the wet during the few hours we are off duty. Continue reading →

[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”]

Headqrs. Co. “A”, 129th Regt. Ills. Vol. Infty.
Nashville, Tenn., Octr. 29th 1863

My Dear Wife

Through good luck or by mistake, I am in camp this morning. I reported myself at 5 o’clock this morning in accordance with my orders, but no one came near me; so, after spending a couple of hours sitting upon a stump, I returned to camp to await another detail which I will not be surprised to see any minute.

While awaiting orders this morning, I stepped to the tent of Capt. Wilson, 79th Ohio, which is encamped at the north side of the R. R. Bridge. ((Capt. William Wilson had been mustered into service at Camp Dennison, Ohio, on Aug. 23, 1862, as captain of Company A, 79th Ohio. The regiment had been stationed at Gallatin, Buck Lodge, Lavergne, and Edgefield before being ordered to Nashville. The 79th Ohio was one of the five infantry and two cavalry regiments currently assigned to the Nashville garrison. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXI, pt. I, p. 754; Reid, Ohio in the War, Vol. II, p. 455.)) And, as it was some time after Reveille, I walked thoughtlessly in & saw a sight that reminded me of old times. His wife was with him, both in bed, sound asleep, his arms around her & her head pillowed on his bosom. I was almost selfish enough to envy them & turned around hastily and left the tent. Continue reading →

[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”]

Headqrs. Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vol. Infty.
Nashville, Tenn., Octr. 28th 1863

My Dear Wife

I wrote a hasty note to you this morning before I left, expecting to be absent several days, but fortune favored me for once, & I went to Columbia, instead of Stevenson, & consequently got home to-night. ((The Central Alabama Railroad was operating south from Nashville to Columbia, and the 13th Wisconsin and 14th Michigan were posted at Franklin and Columbia. Magazines were being stockpiled by the Quartermaster Department should it be determined to reopen the railroad between Columbia and the Tennessee River, as a means of supplying General Sherman’s columns as they marched east from Cherokee and Eastport. Detachments from the 129th Illinois were required to guard the trains operating between Nashville and Columbia, as they were those running between Nashville and Stevenson. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXI, pt. I, pp. 685, 755, 765.)) I have desired ever since the receipt of yours of the 19th inst. to write you a long letter ((Mary Culver’s letter of October 19 is missing from the Culver Collection.)) but have signally failed. I shall possibly accomplish it to-night if sitting up late will do it. As I am on detail for the first extra train sent out, I may have to go in the morning; no one can tell, but to-night is my own if nothing happens. I will try at least to interest you, and if I can be instrumental in relieving your care or in anyway alleviating your trials, I will be happy indeed. Continue reading →

[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. Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vol. Infty.
Nashville, Term., Octr. 28th 1863

My Dear Wife

I have just been ordered to Stevenson again though scarcely rested from my last trip. I intended to write a long letter to-day but must wait until my return. I am very well & earnestly hope on my return to hear good news from you. May God bless you both. Yours of the 21st reached me yesterday evening. ((Mary Culver’s letter of October 21 is missing from the Culver Collection.)) Continue reading →

Dear Brother

I have for some time been intending to write to you I came over to see Pa’s and your sick Babe on wendnesday last and have been here ever since helping to do what I can Pa. thinks he is a little better but is in a critical condition The disease has taking hold of his lungs and has to cough and spit very much your little Boy the very picture of your self is very sick Mary thinks all the time he is getting better and I would fain hope with her if I could but my hopes are all dark with fears I tell you this that you may prepare yourselfe if the Good Lord should se fit to take him from you It would be very hard for to give him up he is such a deare little fellow I was expecting much pleasure when Mary would be here but sickness has prevented it thus far Continue reading →

[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”]

Headqrs. Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vol. Infty.
Nashville, Tenn., Octr. 23rd 1863

My Dear Wife

Your letters of the 15th & 16th inst. came to hand this morning. ((Mary Culver’s letters of October 15 and 16 are missing from the Culver Collection.)) I must confess that I had a severe fit of the blues yesterday, but with the night they have disappeared. Though I cannot glean much hope for Frankie, yet it is a satisfaction to know even the worst. Continue reading →