Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

[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, Tenn., Octr. 19th 1863

My Dear Wife

On my return from Stevenson last night, I found your letter of the 11th, one from Sister Lizzie [Zug], one from Bro. Wes [Culver] & Bro. Johnie [Murphy], & this morning recd. yours of the 12th. ((All the letters referred to are missing from the Culver Collection except the one from Sister Lizzie Zug.)) I am very happy to learn that there is some hope of Frankie. 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 Regt. Ills. Vol. Infty.
Nashville, Tenn., October 16th/63

My Dear Wife

Yours of the 9th & 10th inst. reached me this morning. ((Mary Culver’s letters of October 9 and 10 are missing from the Culver Collection.)) The past two days have been almost insupportable. The last letter was recd. on Monday, dated the 8th, & this is Friday with no intelligence. ((Mary Culver’s letter of October 8 is missing from the Culver Collection.)) I could not imagine what had happened. I tried to keep myself busily employed all day yesterday, but failed to keep my mind from reaching out into the future. I feared that the care and anxiety attending Frankie’s illness had brought disease upon you, & the improbability of my getting leave of Absence seemed unendurable. I feel better satisfied now, however, & earnestly hope and pray that Frankie’s health may continue to improve and yours be preserved. God is still good and merciful to us. Let us praise him. 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”]

Thursday, Octr. 15th 1863

Dear Wife

Unfortunately I have recd. no letter to-day. I have been working on some Ordnance reports, trying to keep my mind engaged but with little effect. I do feel sadly disappointed and very uneasy. I feel assured, however, that had anything serious happened you would have telegraphed to me, yet I cannot account for this long silence. 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, Tenn., Octr. 14th 1863

My Dear Wife

I felt very much disappointed in not hearing from you this morning, not having reed, any word from you yesterday. My mind has been ill at ease all day to-day, yet I earnestly look for a letter to-morrow morning.

I reed, a letter from Sister Maggie [Utley] this morning; her family and mother [Murphy] are quite well. Leander is in Bureau County but well when last heard from. Continue reading →

Pontiac Sabbath eve Oct 18 /63

My Dear Daughter,

Yesterday I received a letter from Frank saying that Dear little Frankie was worse. I so hope and pray that he is better again if it is our Heavenly Fathers will. I am so anxious to have you both here. Frank said he wrote you that if Frankie should die to come to him, if he does, do bring the precious dust home first, then go to him. It will be a sad comfort to us all to have him near us. Continue reading →

In Camp near Chatanooga Tenn. 6 Oct. 1863

Dear Brother Frank:

I’m well and hope you are. Frank, I’m short of change and do not know as we shall be paid off very soon; now if you have money to spare you may send me some by mail. Understand that I do not want it unless you can spare it just as well as not. I’m not “hard up” but might use money if I had it. 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.
Nashville, Tenn., Octr. 5th 1863

My Dear Wife

Yours of the 27th Sept. came to hand this morning & relieved my mind of much anxiety about Frankie. ((Mary Culver’s letter of September 27 is missing from the Culver Collection.)) I hope he may soon recover. Consult Dr. Heermans about your bringing him down here. I believe it will prove to be very beneficial especially if his lungs remain weak for a long time. The climate here is very much milder than at the North; though for the latitude it is at present very cold & bids fair for a healthy season. 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, Tenn., Octr. 2nd 1863

My Dear Wife

I wrote a note hastily to-day & intended to enclose Bro. Johnie’s letter, but the drum beat for drill, &, in my haste, I neglected to put it in. Please find it enclosed herein.

I wrote a short note to Mother [Murphy] to-day, informing her that he [Brother Johnny] was well, thinking that she would feel uneasy. 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.
Nashville, Term., Octr. 2nd 1863

My Dear Wife

The music you sent me arrived this morning with your letter of the 24th inst., ((Mary Culver’s letter of September 24 is mssing from the Culver Collection.)) & one from Bro. Johnie which you will find enclosed. ((Brother John Murphy’s letter was dated Chattanooga, Sept. 25, 1863. Sergeant Murphy had written, “This is the first opportunity I have had of writing you since the receipt of the papers, as we have been in very active service in the field away from our baggage. Rosecrans has been driven back to this place. Our Brig. participated in the battle of Sunday last [the 20th]. It was very severe during the afternoon. We lost 14 men. I am well.” W. J. Murphy to J.F.C., September 25, 1863, Culver Collection.)) I will write to Mother [Murphy] immediately & tell her that he is safe & well. Continue reading →