Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

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Head Quarters Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vols.
Goldsboro, N.C.
April 9th 1865
My Dear Wife

We have just recd. notice that the last mail leaves at 3 o’clock, and it is now 1/2 past one. The whole Army will move on Raleigh in the morning; ((General Mower on the 8th had notified his division commanders that at daylight on the 10th they would start for Smithfield, taking the river road. The First Division would have the lead. Each division would be accompanied by its ambulance and tool wagons, and ten ammunition wagons. The remainder of the train, with the exception of four artillery ammunition wagons, would follow the XIV Corps trains. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XLVII, pt. III, pp. 132, 145.)) it is about 50 miles. Whether we will have much hard fighting or not, God only knows. There cannot be many more battles. Continue reading →

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Apr. 8th

The cheering last night was over Sherman’s official report of the fall of Richmond. ((On the 8th General Sherman notified his subordinates that he had “Official intelligence from General Grant of the defeat of Lee’s army and occupation of Petersburg and Richmond.” Grant’s columns were pursuing fragments of Lee’s army, “represented at 20,000, toward Danville.” O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XLVII, pt. III, p. 132.))

J.F.C.

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Head Quarters Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
Goldsboro, N.C. April 7th 1865
My Dear Wife

We have had great rejoicing yesterday and to-day over the success of Grant’s Army, the capture of Petersburg and Richmond with 23,000 prisoners, guns, &c. ((On the evening of the 6th, General Sherman had received a message from General Grant sent on the 3rd. It reported that the movements commenced on March 29 had “terminated in the fall of both Richmond and Petersburg this morning. The mass of Lee’s army was whipped badly south of Petersburg, and to save the remnant he was forced to evacuate Richmond. We have about 12,000 prisoners, and stragglers are being picked up in large numbers. From all causes I do not estimate his loss at less than 25,000.” The Confederates, he continued, were in full retreat, “and there is every indication that they will endeavor to secure Burkeville and Danville.” Grant was pursuing with Sheridan’s cavalry and five infantry corps. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XLVII, pt. III, pp. 89-90.)) There is also a rumor afloat that Genl. Lee has been captured by Sheridan, ((There was no substance to this rumor.)) yet every one is so wild with joy that we are afraid to believe it lest it be only the production of some fertile imagination. We hope, however, that God is about to bring the war to a close. To His name be all the Glory. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters Co. “A” 129th Ills.
Goldsboro, N.C.
April 5th 1865
My Dear Wife

Yours of the 23rd ult. reached me to-day. I am very happy to learn of your good health and that the condition of the roads gives you an opportunity to get around. I shall look for letters more regularly now. I know it is much more pleasant for you to get out among your friends, & I hope you will be happy. Continue reading →

Office Chief of Artillery, District of Tennessee,
Nashville, Tenn., April 5th, 1865.
My Dear Sister Mollie:

I find in my coat pocket eleven unanswered letters and yours of March 10th among the number. I will not neglect it longer, though I can spare but a few minutes for letter writing today. I have written hardly a letter in the past month, but hope for more leisure in a few days. Parson Brownlove has been inaugurated Governor of Tennessee. The ceremony took place at eleven oclock A.M. today. I tried to hear his speech on the occation, but could not get out till he was most through and heard only the closing sentences. Continue reading →

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Head Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vols.
Goldsboro, N.C.
April 4th 1865
My Dear Wife

We have had no mail for two days. The last news I have from you is of the 16th ult. I hope to be more successful, however, by to-morrow’s mail.

Our Forage Expedition of which I spoke in my last letter was of short duration. We were not over two miles from camp & returned at noon. ((The 129th moved out early, marching in a westerly direction. After proceeding about two miles, they found a good supply of corn and fodder. While the soldiers were loading their wagons, one of the pickets was surprised and shot to death. Grunert, History of the 129th Illinois, pp. 225-26.)) The weather continues to be very pleasant, and our preparations have been going on rapidly. Continue reading →

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Goldsboro, N C. April 2nd 1865
My Dear Wife

I recd. by to-day’s mail yours of the 16th inst. & was very happy to learn that you are well. Letters were recd. two days ago from Pontiac of as late date as the 21st, one from Mrs. Fellows, but she made no mention of you & I presume had not seen you. ((Mrs. Fellows was the wife of J. Allen Fellows, the regimental hospital steward.)) The condition of the roads and your few opportunities are sufficient reasons for your letters not reaching me sooner and perhaps are the reasons why mine are so long on the way. Continue reading →

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Head Qurs. Co. “A”, 129th Ills. Vol. Inftry.
Goldsboro, N.C., April 1st 1865
My Dear Wife

The Leader of the Brig. Band is discharged & starts home to-day & thinking a letter would reach you more directly through him, I hasten to write. I wrote to Lt. [John] McKnight to send you $12 that he owes me & which I had directed him to pay to [Christ] Yetter at Atlanta. I will inclose $10 — if you have no use for it, you can pay it on my acct. with Wm. B. Lyon & take his receipt for it. Continue reading →