Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

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Head Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vols.
Goldsboro, N.C., March 29th 1865
My Dear Wife

By to-day-s mail I recd. letters from Bro. Sammy [Murphy], Chattanooga, Tenn. of Mch. 2, & from Springfield, Ills. of the 2nd also, but none from you. Yesterday I recd. yours of the 29th Feb., being the latest. We have news from Pontiac of the 8th & 10th inst. I hope, however, you are not ill. Your letters may have been delayed. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters Co. “A” 129th Ills.
Goldsboro, N.C., March 28th 1865
My Dear Wife

The mail leaves at 4 P.M., & I must spare a few minutes from my papers to write to you. I recd. 4 letters from you yesterday, one from Hannah [Culver] and one from Cousin Electa Wallace, Mansfield, Ohio, with Photograph enclosed. I dare not take the time to answer your letters in full; they were very interesting, indeed. The latest bears date Febr. 29th. I hope you are enjoying yourself. I should have enjoyed the Communion Season very much. I earnestly hope all the converts may prove faithful. Continue reading →

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Head Qurs. Co. “A”, 129th Ills.
Goldsboro, N.C., Mch. 26th 1865
Sunday Eve
My Dear Wife

I rode from Kinston to this place yesterday on horseback, 37 miles, & arrive[d] just before dark. I recd. 12 letters brought through from Atlanta & 10 more by to-days mail, the last from you bearing date Feb. 20th. I am very happy indeed to learn that you are well & Howard also. Continue reading →

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Kinston, N.C. March 24th 1865
My Dear Wife

We arrived here two days’ ago but had no opportunity to get to the command. Our train arrived this morning & will start back to-night; we will go with it. I have seen several men of the Regt. to-day, but none of my company. The loss of the Regt. in the last battle [Averysboro] is two killed and 14 wounded. James M. Pemberton of Co. “A”, & one man (Bullman) Co. “H”, Killed; & F. M. Van Doren, Co. “A”, Sergt. Mason, Co. “E”, Corp. Onstott, Co. “H” are among the wounded. I could not learn the names of all. There were three in Co. “K”. Francis Van Doren is but slightly wounded. David Jones, Co. “A”, died in South Carolina of Chronic Diarrhea. Henry Snyder, Co. “A”, has been quite sick but is much better. One man said he heard that Sam Hill was captured but had been exchanged & was again with the Company. Major Hoskins is here & will go with us. All the Co. not mentioned are reported well. Continue reading →

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New Bern, N.C. Mch. 22nd 1865
My Dear Wife

We arrived here safe & well yesterday evening, and leave at 8 A.M. for Kinston. The information is quite reliable, though not positive, that Schofield has formed a junction with Sherman, and that we can go through directly. We will have to march from Kinston to Goldsboro — 25 miles, but that is a very small item if we can only get through.

New Bern is a very pleasant place of about 5000 inhabitants. The weather to-day is pleasant but rained last night. I stepped up to a Q. M.’s Desk, while Burk was getting breakfast, and have only time to write a line. May God bless you with health and happiness. Kiss Howard for me.

Your affect. Husband
J. F. Culver

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At anchor off Morehead City, N.C.
Sunday night, March 19th 1865
My Dear Wife

We arrived here at dark & cast anchor, as our vessel draws too much water to cross the bar except at high water & in daylight. We will not get in until noon to-morrow. We hope to get direct to the Army. Continue reading →

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Charleston, S.C. March 14, 1865
My Dear Wife

We have just returned from a visit to “Fort Sumpter.” The water was not very rough, but it rained quite hard part of the time, & as a consequence we got wet through. We went out in a small rowboat, about as large again as old Charlie Jones’s in which you may recollect taking a ride one beautiful moonlight night several years ago. Continue reading →

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Charleston, S.C. Monday morning, March 13th 1865
My Dear Wife

I went to the Post Office this morning with bright hopes of hearing from you but was doomed to disappointment. I can only wait patiently hoping that I may be more successful next mail if I should be in the city so long. Continue reading →

March the 8 1865 Pontiac Ill
Dear Friend

your kind letter of February last, was received this morning and in compliance with your request, no less than with my own wishes, I hasten to answer it I was glad to hear from you and glad to hear that you had got well I wish that you and Mr Catten would come back, the Sunday school is not as good as it was when you were hear. There dose not as as many come as did when you were hear. the Band has had a Consert and is to have an other in April, the prisbyterians is a talking about having one to, to day was quartrlimeting. Lara Russell told me to tell you that you must write to her. Mother has just got back from Ohio she said she saw some Rebles their you for got that this was 1863 instead of 1860 they have got the quire started again in the Methodist Church we have not had one Missionary meting sens you went a way they said that they must organise again. Continue reading →

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Charleston, S.C. March 7th 1865
My Dear Wife

Almost two weeks have elapsed and we are still in Charleston, with no better prospect of getting to our commands than when I last wrote. I am looking for some word from you by next mail. How long we may remain here, I am unable to determine. Continue reading →