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| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02570.43 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of Gustave Cook, H company, 8th regiment, Texas, cavalry |
| Title | Gustave Cook to Eliza Cook discussing the lack of letters from her and his loss of good looks |
| Date | 20 April 1863 |
| Author | Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) |
| Recipient | Cook, Eliza |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Fuss about Cook's lack of mail: "I will venture that no other wife in Texas, or sweetheart even, gets half as many letters from her lover as you do. Is it not so? And yet I do not get letters from you as often as many do from others. How come this? Who is to blame, you or the mail? Never mind though I wrote you one ill natured letter on this very subject last week and that shall gratify my spleen for a time." Discusses his loss of good looks, "…I have just lain aside my mirror in the reflection of which I have been gazing upon the once attractive features of your husband. Alas! Miss Eliza! that attraction has faded and but lift its footprints which very much resemble those of a crow…Oh! dear me I am almost inconsolable; I can't get a single pretty girl to look at me after getting a glance at my face. All your jealousy can go to rest now for I am perfectly harmless. If my lady friends were to get hold of this they would in all probably think I regretted that 'all those endearing young charms' had faded and between us they would not miss it very far for I do not wish to become odious to them." Discusses the weather (how it will further affect his looks). Relies on the marriage contract to prevent Eliza from leaving him. |
| Subjects | Soldier's Letter Civil War Military History Confederate Soldier's Letter Confederate States of America Cavalry Love Letters Marriage Women's History Post Office Sexuality Humor and Satire |
| People | Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) Cook, Eliza Jones (b. 1837) |
| Place written | Floyd County |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Women in American History |
| Sub-collection | Papers and Images of the American Civil War |
| Additional Information | Born in Alabama on July 3, 1835, Cook moved to Texas alone at the age of 15 and studied law independently. Cook enlisted as a private in 8th Texas Cavalry, "Terry's Texas Rangers," in 1861 and was promoted to colonel by July 1863. After the war he became a circuit court judge for Galveston, served in the Texas state legislature and led an unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1890. He died in 1897 of complications from a wound suffered during his military service. |
| Copyright | The Gilder Lehrman Institute of American History |
| Module | Civil War, Reconstruction and the Modern Era: 1860-1945 |
| Civil War: Recipient Relationship | Wife |
| Civil War: Theater of War | Main Western Theater |
| Civil War: Unit | 8th Texas Cavalry, H Company |