Culver, George H. 1841 - 1864

CULVER

Posted By: Janice Sowers (email)
Date: 4/16/2003 at 21:04:53

Times March 12, 1868 P3 C2

George H. Culver was born in the village of Orwell, Ashtabula County, Ohio, August 4, 1841. His parents removed to Iowa in 1844, and became residents of Howard County in 1856. George entered the service as private of the Decorah Guards, afterwards Company D, Third Iowa Infantry, in 1861, being then in his twentieth year. Served with his regiment in the campaigns of Missouri, including the battle of Blue Mills Landing, Sept. 1861, and several unimportant though dangerous affairs in which the regiment was engaged, also in the forced marches in pursuit of Martin Green and his band of rebels, from Macon to Kirksville, Bethel, Shelbyville, and Shelbina, marches which for hardships and privations that tried the metal of men, were equal to almost any during the war.

George was with the command from St. Louis up the Tennessee River to Pittsburgh Landing, in March, 1862, and engaged in the bloody and terrible battle of the 6th and 7th of April following, receiving a slight wound from a piece of spent shell, the advance on Corinth under General Halleck, the march of Sherman and Hurlbut to Memphis, the battle of the Hatchie, Oct. 5th, 1862, when the old and Division Army of the Tennessee gave a crushing blow to the forces of Price and VanDorn, then recoiling from Corinth and Rosecrans; in the campaign of the Tallahatchie, the siege of Vicksburg, and the disastrous charge of the 1st brigade at Jackson, Miss., July 12, 1863, and with Sherman on his Meridian expedition.

He re-enlisted as a veteran in the fall of 1863, and with his regiment was in Gen. Sherman's army in the famous Atlanta campaign. On the 28th of July, 1864, during the third desperate attach of Hood on our lines, George received a mortal wound. He had been to the rear after cartridges, and on returning with a supply, very soon after getting in range of the rebel fire, and before reaching his company, was shot through the breast with a musket ball. To a member of his company who stood near he said, "Tell the boys I died like a Soldier!" and immediately expired.

Thus closed the career of a brave soldier--faithful, prompt, and fearless in the discharge of duty, enduring hardships and privations with patience and cheerfulness; his army record is one of which any might be proud.

"Our dead--our glorious dead. The joy of victory is dimmed when we think of them. But they have died as they could wish--in defence of their country--died on the red field of battle, with their uncomquered banner over them. Surviving comrades have avenged their death, and a grateful country will honor and cherish their memory."