John Wesly Culpepper Diary (Cont.)
The following letter was written by Lieutenant John Wesley Culpepper, Company D, 8th
Georgia Infantry Regiment, Jenkin’s Brigade, First Corps, Army of Northern Virginia,
Lt. General James Longstreet, commanding. It was found by Eleanor Culpepper Willingham
among her father’s possessions. Her cousin, Pitts Culpepper told her the
"Bob" to whom the letter was addressed was Bob Adair, a Civil War veteran who
lost a leg in the war.
Bob Adair’s daughter, Irene, worked in a bank in Greenville, Georgia. Pitts
Culpepper theorized that Irene found the letter and gave it to Eleanor’s father,
Homer Lee Culpepper. Pitts found Bob Adair’s grave in the Greenville Cemetery, Born
22 July 1843, Died 3 November 1908
Camp near Strawberry Plains, Tenn.
Feby 14th 1864
Dear Bob;
I received a letter from you several days ago, but have not had an opportunity to
answer it until the present; and even now, I am not prepared to write to you as I would
like to do. But I need not make any apology to an old veteran soldier like yourself, as
you understand, and can fully appreciate our situation. --- The weather is very
unpleasant. --- It has been raining incessantly since last night; and bids fair to
continue several days. We left our comfortable winter Quarters three or four weeks ago,
and have been taking it "rough and tumble" ever since, with but
one blanket, and no tents. but when we contemplate the glorious cause for which we are
battling, together with the fireside of our old fathers and mothers -- our little brothers
and sisters, (and of course we always remember, we are fighting for our sweet-hearts),
these toils, hardships and dangers sink into insignificances; and our determination is
redoubled, to battle on and battle ever as long as a yankee can be found on our Southern
Soil.
Lieut. Ben and the boys arrived today. I was gratified to hear from him, that all the
E.G. {Echols Guard -- editor} at home were doing well. I’ve just written to
Christian, Clem, John E. and Sim, notifying them that they are exchanged and ordering them
to the company. I sympathize with all the boys but particularly with Christian, as
I know he will regret so much, to leave his young wife. But a bleeding
country calls on me to do my duty. Our duty should be done fearlessly and
boldly. -- This I expect always to do regardless of consequences. But you know a fellow
very frequently catches the devil for administering justice to all with whom
he has dealing. Our motto should be Duty to God, -- Duty to our Country, and justice to
all mankind. -- You have nobly and gallantly paid the debt you owed your country in the
field. Had every able bodied man shouldered his musket and come to the front when you did,
this war would have closed long since, and today instead of being seated on the ground
writing on a cartridge box, while the cold rain is pattering on our little oil-cloth
"bunk" over head; we could all have been at home enjoying peace beneath
our proud confederate banner with plenty of everything that heart could desire. But
thousands have cowardly and shamefully shirked out of the war from the beginning, saved
the country thus far from utter destruction. But we console ourselves with what Genl
Jenkins told us the other day. -- He said "he thanked God that a few of us had fought
the battles of the war up to the present time, and with the aid of the Devine Being, we
would conquer an honrable peace ere another year roll around without the assistance of the
dastardly skulkers at home who deserve to be treated only as free negroes" But I did
not expect to write a letter upon the war, or the men who have kept out of it, and I hope
you will pardon me for digressing.
I would like very much to see you, but I guess it will be some time before I will have
that pleasure, as I see no prospect of getting a furlough any time soon. I regret tat you
are disable for life; but it cannot be helped, and you are right to begin immediatly
to prepare yourself for the "great-business of life". Bob, you may rest
assured you have my heart felt sympathy, and anything that I can do for you, in anyway
whatever, will be done with the greatest pleasure, I will ever assist and advise you like
a brother. As you are very young yet, -- just in the bloom of youth, I think you would do
well to lay aside all business and go to school. Nothing can be so important as a good
Education, to a young man in your condition. By going to school to a good teacher, and
applying yourself closely, you can soon prepare yourself to launch your little bark upon
the broad ocean of life, and steer it safely on. -- I would advise you to do this and have
your furlough extended from time to time in order that you may draw commutation for
rations on your furloughs. Commutation for rations for a man on wounded or sick furlough,
is $1.25 per day or $37.50 per month, which would amount to a considerable item in twelve
months. Your applications for extension will be promptly attended to by me.
Enclosed I sent your Descriptive Roll, and account of pay and clothing. I entered the
articles, for which you are due the Government, but I did not put the prices, as the
Quarter Master who pays you will charge you government price -- Jacket $12. -- Pant $9 -
shoes $6-+co. The amount of commutation for the first year, is $134.13. -- Your Gun is
still here. I killed a yankee with it at Knoxville. Eli Blount did also, and wounded
others.
Tell J Burgin I’ve sent up his papers. I’ll write him when I send them. Tell
Bill and John H. that I’ll write them as soon as I have time.
Your friend, J.W. Culpepper
{The following was written bottom to top of the left hand side of the first page --
editor}
Tell Mrs. Macain I heard directly from the Capt. a day or two ago. He
was in fine health and spirits. Present my respect to your Pa and Ma and all friends.
J.W.C.
(Next Page)
Copyright 1997, Capos Conley Culpepper II. All Rights
Reserved.
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