Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

Hd. Qurs. Battery “M” 1st Ill. Arty.
Atlanta Ga. 16 Sept. 1864.
My Dear Sister Mollie:

How is baby tonight? And its mother? Still well I hope. I would like to drop in and make the acquaintance of my new relative. You know I never cared much about babies, but I suppose this is an extraordinary one. And a boy too. God bless the little fellow and his mother very abundantly. I saw Capt. Frank today. The 129th with its Brigade have arived from the river and gone into camp near us. Frank came over first after they came in, but only stayed a few minutes, and what is very strange I did not think to say anything to him about the baby. I noticed he was in excellent spirits and seemed tickled about something and looked at me as if to say “why don’t you say something about the baby?” Continue reading →

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Sept. 14th 64 — 1 P.M.

I opened my letter to say that we remain all well. We have orders to move to Atlanta to-morrow morning; ((The 1st Brigade would rejoin the Third Division in Atlanta. The 2d and 3d Brigades had been in the city for almost two weeks. One regiment would remain at the Chattahoochie Railroad Bridge to protect the supply depots. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXIX, pt. II, p. 382.)) so, if they are not countermanded, we will be probably located in or near the city by this time to-morrow. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters, Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vol. Infty.
Chattahoochie River, Georgia
September 13th 1864
My Dear Wife

Your letters of the 2nd & 4th came to hand this evening. I am very happy, indeed, to learn of your good health; God has very signally blessed us, and my heart is grateful. I shall endeavor to remember the 21st September, &, if in my power, will keep it sacred with you. ((Franklin Allen, the Culvers’ first child, had been born on September 21, 1862. He died October 30, 1863.)) I did hope to spend it with you, but that seems more and more improbable every day. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters, Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols. Infty.
Chattahoochie River, Ga. September 13th 1864
My Dear Wife

On my return from Atlanta last evening, I found three letters awaiting me. I am most happy to hear that you enjoy such good health, and feel thankful to “Our Father” for the continued manifestation of “His” love and mercy so richly bestowed upon us. Your letters were dated respectively 27th, 29th, & 31st. I also recd. Chicago papers to the 3d inst. How greatly God has blessed us in all things. Continue reading →

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Hd. Qurs. Hospital, 3d Div. 20th A.C.
Atlanta, Ga. Sept. 12th 1864
My Dear Wife

I came here on a visit to-day. I came down with Dr. Wood in an ambulance. ((Orlando S. Wood, a 25-year-old physician, was mustered into service as 1st assistant surgeon of the 129th Illinois Infantry at Stevenson, Ala., on March 6, 1864. Dr. Wood was promoted to regimental surgeon on May 21, 1865, and mustered out with the regiment near Washington, D.C., June 8, 1865. Compiled Service Records of Union Soldiers, NA.)) On our way, we met the mail going out, 8 sacks for our Brigade, so that I feel certain of some letters when I get back. Continue reading →

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Head Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Ills.
Chattahoochie River, Ga.
Sept. 10th 1864
My Dear Wife

Though it seems very improbable that any letter will reach you for some time to come, as our communication is so seriously interrupted; yet, should this reach you, rest assured that we are all well and everything is prospering. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters Co. “A” 129th Ills. Vols.
Chattahoochie River, Ga.
September 8th 1864
My Dear Wife

We have no mail yet, and our opportunities for a regular mail are growing less unless some other method be adopted. We hope, however, if we remain here, our facilities will be much improved. The trains run regularly but do not stop here. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters, Co. “A” 129th Regiment Ills. Vols. Infty.
Chattahoochie River, Georgia
September 7th 1864
My Dear Wife

Your letters of the 23rd & 25th August came to hand yesterday evening. To “Our Father” be all praise for his loving kindness and tender mercies. A week of intense anxiety was relieved by the news of your safety. ((Mary Culver had given birth to a son, Howard Dunmire, on Aug. 25, 1864.)) I would that I were more worthy of all the blessings bestowed upon me. As the mails are open again, I hope to hear from you often; but, as we are so far from the city, we get ours very irregularly. ((The 2d and 3d Brigades, Third Division, XX Army Corps, were stationed in Atlanta, six miles southeast of the fortified camp occupied by Colonel Harrison’s 1st Brigade.)) Yesterday being the first we have recd. for 10 days. Continue reading →

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Hd. Qurs. Co. “A”, 129th Ills. Vols. Inftry.
Chattahoochie River, Ga.
Sept. 5th 1864
My Dear Wife

As we have orders to move to Atlanta to-morrow, I may not have an opportunity to write. ((Out-generaled by Sherman and defeated in the battle of Jonesboro, General Hood and his Army of Tennessee evacuated Atlanta on the night of September 1. Hood reassembled his army at Lovejoy Station on the Macon & Western Railroad, 25 miles southeast of Atlanta. On the night of the 1st, soldiers of the XX Corps heard heavy explosions in the direction of Atlanta, and General Slocum ordered each of his division commanders to make a forced reconnaissance toward the city. A column from General Ward’s division, on approaching the city, was met by Major James M. Calhoun, who formally surrendered Atlanta and informed Col. John Coburn that the Confederates had evacuated. The next day, September 3, the remainder of the XX Corps, except the units detailed to guard the Chattahoochie bridges, marched into and took possession of the city. Harrison’s brigade was detailed to remain on the Chattahoochie to protect the railroad bridge and the commissary and ordnance depots. O. R., Ser. I, Vol. XXXVIII, pt. V, pp. 19, 330, 350, 392-93.)) We have recd. no mail yet; I cannot understand it as the trains are running by here regularly. Continue reading →

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Thursday, Sept. 1st 1864
Dear Mary

The telegraph has just announced the nomination of Geo. B. McClellan by the Chicago Convention for President but lacks confirmation. We have no news from the Army yet. The mail came in about an hour ago but brought no letter for me. I still hope “All is well.” Continue reading →