Joseph F. Culver: Born on November 3, 1834, Carlilse, PA
Died January 20, 1899
Age 65
Joseph F. Culver, a popular student of the Dickinson College Class of 1857 was a member of the College's Belles Lettres Society, a literary society founded in 1786. He left the school to study with attorneys in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Wooster, Ohio, and Pontiac, Illinois. He taught at a school in Burbank before he finally moved to Pontiac, Illinois. It was in Illinois that he joined the 129th Illinois infantry where he served until 1865. Culver was a soldier and a Captain during his time of service. According to his military record, J.F.C. was five feet and ten inches tall, his complexion was dark, and his hair was “hazel black.” Culver traveled with his men from Chicago to quite a few southern states including Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia as well as Washington D.C. Along the way Culver wrote letters to his wife recounting the many experiences he had behind enemy lines and under enemy fire, as well as the hardships he and his men had to face inbetween battle sequences. A devout Methodist, Culver enjoyed the popular music of the day and even played the cornet in a band. He was also a member of the Masonic Order, a secret fraternal society.
Image and additional background information: Courtesy of Dickinson College Archives, University of Iowa
Died January 20, 1899
Age 65
Joseph F. Culver, a popular student of the Dickinson College Class of 1857 was a member of the College's Belles Lettres Society, a literary society founded in 1786. He left the school to study with attorneys in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Wooster, Ohio, and Pontiac, Illinois. He taught at a school in Burbank before he finally moved to Pontiac, Illinois. It was in Illinois that he joined the 129th Illinois infantry where he served until 1865. Culver was a soldier and a Captain during his time of service. According to his military record, J.F.C. was five feet and ten inches tall, his complexion was dark, and his hair was “hazel black.” Culver traveled with his men from Chicago to quite a few southern states including Kentucky, North Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia as well as Washington D.C. Along the way Culver wrote letters to his wife recounting the many experiences he had behind enemy lines and under enemy fire, as well as the hardships he and his men had to face inbetween battle sequences. A devout Methodist, Culver enjoyed the popular music of the day and even played the cornet in a band. He was also a member of the Masonic Order, a secret fraternal society.
Image and additional background information: Courtesy of Dickinson College Archives, University of Iowa
Thomas N. Conrad: Born in Fairfax, VA August 1, 1837
Died January 5, 1905
Age 68
This Dickinsonian of the Class of 1857 was President of the Belles Lettres Society, and member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, a secret society on campus. He enjoyed singing with his friends, and performed in multiple plays (wearing disguises). He graduated from Dickinson College to become a Principal at Georgetown College. Conrad volunteered for the 3rd Virginia Cavalry in 1861 allying himself with the Confederacy. Conrad was sent to prison during 1862, a year of heightened Civil War tensions for ordering the song "Old Dixie" to be played at commencement at Georgetown College. It was after this instance that Conrad was able to meet with Jefferson Davis, the Confederate President who assigned him the job of collecting intelligence and reporting back to Richmond, VA. Conrad made his way to Washington D.C. in a disguise so as to not arouse suspicion. While Conrad was in Washington, however, he decided to take up another mission: capture the President of the Union, Abraham Lincoln. This mission was plotted by Conrad and life-long friend from Dickinson College, Daniel Mountjoy Cloud, with who Conrad attempted to intercept the President as he left Washington, but failed. Conrad was also a Methodist lay minister.
Image and additional background information: Courtesy of Dickinson College Archives, The Horatio Collins King Diaries Spring of 1857, and "The Rebel Scout"
Died January 5, 1905
Age 68
This Dickinsonian of the Class of 1857 was President of the Belles Lettres Society, and member of the Phi Kappa Sigma fraternity, a secret society on campus. He enjoyed singing with his friends, and performed in multiple plays (wearing disguises). He graduated from Dickinson College to become a Principal at Georgetown College. Conrad volunteered for the 3rd Virginia Cavalry in 1861 allying himself with the Confederacy. Conrad was sent to prison during 1862, a year of heightened Civil War tensions for ordering the song "Old Dixie" to be played at commencement at Georgetown College. It was after this instance that Conrad was able to meet with Jefferson Davis, the Confederate President who assigned him the job of collecting intelligence and reporting back to Richmond, VA. Conrad made his way to Washington D.C. in a disguise so as to not arouse suspicion. While Conrad was in Washington, however, he decided to take up another mission: capture the President of the Union, Abraham Lincoln. This mission was plotted by Conrad and life-long friend from Dickinson College, Daniel Mountjoy Cloud, with who Conrad attempted to intercept the President as he left Washington, but failed. Conrad was also a Methodist lay minister.
Image and additional background information: Courtesy of Dickinson College Archives, The Horatio Collins King Diaries Spring of 1857, and "The Rebel Scout"
Comparing the Soldier and the Spy
Joseph F. Culver, Courtesy of the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library & Museum