Joseph F. Culver Civil War Letters

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Head Quarters Co. “A” 129th Regt Ills. Vols.
Inftry. In the Field, Chattahoochie River, Georgia
August 31st 1864
My Dear Wife

I have given all my time for the past few days to writing up company business, and, as I shall be busy for some days to come, I scarcely take time to write to you, for, when not busy, my hand becomes tired and cramped so that my letters are made as brief as possible. Continue reading →

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Head Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
Chattahoochie River, Georgia
August 31st 1864
My Dear Wife

A very light mail was recd. at noon to-day but none for me. We are being mustered for pay to-day, and rumor says we will receive 8 months pay in a few days. There is a paymaster here, and it is probable that he is making arrangements to pay. Continue reading →

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Head Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols. Infty.
In the Field, Chattahoochie River
August 30th 1864
My Dear Wife

The mail is late to-day & has not yet come in, while the time has arrived for the mail to go out. I am happy to say that my health continues excellent. The Bands have been playing all day and everything in nature seems happy. Continue reading →

Hd. Quarters Battery “M” Ist Ill. Artillery.
Near Atlanta Ga. 22 Aug. 1864.
Dear Sister Mollie:

Yours of date 11 Aug. has just reached me, and it has lifted a load of anxiety from my mind. Untill today I have not heard a word from Sammy since the 26th of last month. He may have written to me. Our mail of late, has been troubled considerably by the rebel cavalry, and I hope all the letters that have been mailed to me have not reached me – or more plainly speaking, I hope that more letters have been mailed me, than I have yet received. I had a letter today from William S. Murphy. It is quite an affectionate and patriotic missive. He did not say anything about his father’s family. I know but little of them. How are they doing? Your letter is full of news and gratifies me more than it would to “go home and get married.” I do not write to the “girls” any more. You see I am out of note paper, have nothing but this large foolscap – and do not expect to have anything better for one or two years to come – and of course I would not shock their propriety by sending them a letter written on this vulgar sort of paper. Continue reading →

My Dear Mary,

Your letter was received a day or two before we left home and as it was commencement week and I had a house full of visitors I could not reply before we left. We were gone six weeks and moving about so constantly that I did not have any time to write then, so you must please pardon the delay. I feel anxious about you and hope you keep right well- We had a very pleasant vacation so far. There has been a great deal of commotion & excitement herebut we escaped it There are but few houses in town which has carpet on the floors, all are sent off. There is a rumor again afloat of a return of the raiders yet I hope it is not correct I am so sick of it all. The burning of Chambersburg just 30 miles above fills us with much more dread. I often wish I was farther north- We are all fairly well my baby is rather more troublesome than usual particularly at night which makes me feel weary He still [grows?] and says papa & mamma quite distinctly I still have plenty of nourishment for him and hope he will live I try to leave him in God’s hands He will do all things well. Continue reading →

Carlisle Aug 20th 1864
Dear Mary,

I just finished a letter to Frank and having some time to spare I thought I might drop you a line. A year ago you were with us and though you remained but a short time yet long enough to endear you to us and lead us to feel that you were indeed our sister. I wish it had been possible for you to have paid us another visit this Fall with Frank, but God has ordered it otherwise and we must with cheerfulness submit. I hope you are right well and are enabled to commit your husband fully into the hands of God, and with sweet, childlike faith are trusting Him with your future. I do not think it possible to be happy unless we have unwavering faith in God. I know you must at times feel sad even while resting all on God, especially when you hear of another attack at Atlanta. I rejoice that you know the place of refuge, “the blood bought mercy seat”, I do hope & pray that all may be well and that all your loved ones may be returned to you in safety. Continue reading →

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Head Quarters Co. “A” 129th Regt., Ills. Vols.
In the Field Near Atlanta, Georgia
August 18th 1864
My Dear Wife

It is just one week since I recd. a letter from you and just at this time it has seemed almost a month. Our communication has been interrupted, but we are informed that our mail came to-night and we will receive it in the morning. Hoping also that mail may go North to-morrow, I have been induced to write to-night. Continue reading →

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Head Qrs Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
In the Field Near Atlanta Georgia
August 14th 1864
My Dear Wife

God in his Infinite mercy has spared my life to enjoy the [light?] of another Holy Sabbath, a day which has appeared more beautiful than any I have Enjoyed for a long time to add to this I have every reason to believe he has blessed you with health and comfort. Let us praise him for all his loving kindness toward us. This morning opened up very beautiful though it is excessively warm. The pickets succeeded in effecting a bargain with the Enemy last night that there would be no firing along the line of our Brigade last night and today and the bargain has been well observed – some balls still reach us from the left of [illegible] on our right but it is comparatively quiet & I most earnestly hope it may continue so. Continue reading →

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Head qrs Co “A” 129th Regt Ills. Vols
In the Field Near Atlanta Ga
August 9th 1864
My dear Wife

I wrote but a short note yesterday because I was busy on the muster and [pay rolls?] of the Company & was anxious to get them completed but it rained so much that I did not accomplish much. I just got fairly started this morning when it commenced raining again. It has rained a great deal for a few days past making it very uncomfortable in the [trenches?]. Continue reading →

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Head Qurs. Co. “A” 129th Regt. Ills. Vols.
In the Field near Atlanta, Ga. August 6th 1864
My Dear Wife

Yours of July 28th came to hand this morning. I am very happy to learn that you still enjoy good health. I wrote to you by yesterday’s mail and was not aware that a mail would go out until a moment ago, yet I hasten to write knowing that you may be anxious to hear and a letter unexpected always gives pleasure. Continue reading →