Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

Office Chief of Artillery, District of Tennesee,
Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 28th 1865.
My Dear Mollie:

Your good long letter of the 23rd reached me this morning. Just see how prompt I am to reply. Don’t you think I am improving most marvelously in my habits? I’ve begun well today – rose very early (although I did not retire very early last night) and finished the business of the morning before breakfast. Soon after breakfast the mail boy handed me your letter. And I’ve read it over lots of times – expecially that part about the girls. Continue reading →

Office Chief of Artillery, District of Tennessee,
Nashville, Tenn., Feb. 17th 1865.
Dear Sister Mollie:

I have just been making requisition on my memory for the recollection of writing you a letter a few days ago, but it refuses to render the account, therefore I conclude that I am mistaken – or rather as you once corrected me that I mistake in thinking that I have written you. I had fully intended to do it, about a week ago when I wrote to Leander, and am not now sure that I did not, but will proceed now as though I was sure that I had neglected my younger sister so long. I would on no account be so negligent in this matter did I not know that you have another “not a brother” who writes you often enough, almost, to keep you constantly reading. But do not think from this that I mean to relinquish a brother’s privalege to write to you as often, at least, as I feel like it and to expect letters from you. I am getting impatient to hear from home. Not a word from there, direct, since leaving it. Continue reading →

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Home Insurance Company
Office No. 135 Broadway.
New York, Feby. 15th 1865
My Dear Wife

I went to the Dock this morning to see what time the boat would leave. We may possibly not get away to-day on account of the ice. I met Capt. Horton, Co. “F”, on the boat & went with him up to the Lovejoy Hotel to see Capt. Coolidge, Brigade Quarter Master, and Capt. Endsley, 70th Ind. ((George W. Horton, a 25-year-old carpenter, was mustered into service on Sept. 8, 1862, as lieutenant in Company F, 129th Illinois Infantry. He was commissioned captain of his company on June 11, 1863. When the regiment left Nashville in February 1864, Captain Horton remained behind in the hospital but rejoined the company in time for the Atlanta Campaign. On January 11, 1865, he received a leave at Hardeeville and rejoined the regiment on April 4. Captain Horton was mustered out near Washington on June 8, 1865. Benjamin F. Coolidge was mustered into service on Aug. 23, 1862, at Camp Piqua, Ohio, as lieutenant and quartermaster of the 99th Ohio Infantry. In November 1862 he was assigned to General Ward’s staff as brigade quartermaster. Lieutenant Coolidge in January 1865 had been ordered to proceed to Nashville on official business. On rejoining the XX Corps at Goldsboro, he was given a temporary assignment as division quartermaster. Henry M. Endsley of Shelby County was mustered into service on Aug. 1, 1862, at Indianapolis, Indiana, as captain of Company F, 70th Indiana Infantry. Captain Endsley, having received a leave, left his unit on Oct. 20, 1864, and rejoined it in late March 1865. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA.)) I will have plenty of good company & feel much happier this morning than yesterday. I was a little blue yesterday when I thought of making the trip with strangers, perhaps sea-sick most of the way. God has been very kind and good to me, & I feel very happy in His love. Continue reading →

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Sweeny Hotel, New York Febr. 14th 1865
My Dear Wife

I arrived here at 4 P.M. & recd. your letter of the 8th. The one sent to Carlisle I did not get. The mails must be much delayed by the deep snow. I am sorry to hear of your own and Howard’s ill health, but hope you have both recovered ere this. Continue reading →

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Harrisburg, Pa., Febr. 13th 1865.
My Dear Wife

I left home on the afternoon train and have to wait until 3 o’clock to-morrow morning for the N.Y. train. The Dr. says Mother has Erysipelas, but he thinks it will not be severe. Bro. Charlie & Sister Jennie both promised to write to you. Continue reading →

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Carlisle, Penna. Febr. 10th 1864[5]
My Dear Wife

I came to Mother’s yesterday afternoon & stayed until evening. Charlie was down at the Pagues’, but she was expecting him home so I went back to Harry’s & with Jennie to church. ((Eighteen-year-old Charlie Culver was J.F.C.’s youngest brother, while his sister, Rebecca, was married to S. Augustus Pague and lived on the family farm in Middlesex Township.)) There was a concert in town, and the church was quite full and the meeting quite interesting. Continue reading →

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Carlisle, Penna. ((J.F.C., his leave due to expire in four weeks, was en route to rejoin his unit. When last heard from, the 129th Illinois, along with other units General Sherman had led on the “march to the sea,” was encamped near Savannah, Ga. J.F.C. planned to proceed to New York City by railroad and there board a ship for Savannah and a rendezvous with his regiment. Harry Cheston was married to J.F.C.’s sister, Jennie C. Hannah M. Culver was J.F.C.’s youngest sister.))
Febr. 9th 1864[5]
10 A.M.
My Dear Wife

I arrived here about an hour ago & am at Harry’s; found all well & Sister Hannah here. I will go out to Mother’s after dinner. ((Mrs. Martha Dunmire Culver, J.F.C.’s widowed mother, was currently living in the family home in Carlisle’s east ward.)) All the friends so far as heard from are well, & all I have seen wonder why you are not with me. Continue reading →