The full content of this document is only available to subscribing institutions. More information can be found via www.amdigital.co.uk
If you believe you should have access to this document, click here to Login.
| Field name | Value |
|---|---|
| Collection Reference Number | GLC02570.14 |
| From Archive Folder | Collection of Gustave Cook, H company, 8th regiment, Texas, cavalry |
| Title | Gustave Cook to Eliza Cook discussing their correspondence and the expectation of a large battle |
| Date | 25 January 1862 |
| Author | Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) |
| Recipient | Cook, Eliza |
| Document Type | Correspondence |
| Content Description | Takes offense at the charge (by Susan, his wife's sister?) that he doesn't write as often as he could. Defends himself by saying he is very busy and does not have an abundance of materials with which to write, unlike the people at home who can write, but don't. Complains that he has received "less than 6 letters" since he left home (probably September 1861) but he writes once a week. He writes, "There is something wrong in the mails, not in the correspondents." Puts Eliza's mind at ease over whether Cook loved her. He writes, "You have sometimes laughingly intimated that I did not love you but your own heart told you better and you know darling Lizzie that I love you above all the world." Writes that there is nothing of importance happening in camp except that they expect a battle any day. Says that they have 80,000 troops while the Union has 100,000 and they are within 8 miles of one another. Reports on the good health of his regiment and says he will come home if he can secure a furlough. He writes, "Will you have me if I come to you? I am a powerful little fellow now, though, as I weigh only about 140, but I am some man yet." Tells his wife to kiss the children and his ambrotype in the parlor and "it will kiss you." |
| Subjects | Soldier's Letter Civil War Military History Confederate Soldier's Letter Confederate States of America Cavalry Military Camp Children and Family Post Office Love Letters Battle Union Forces Health and Medical Photography |
| People | Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) Cook, Eliza Jones (b. 1837) |
| Place written | Camp Hardee, [near] Woodsonville, Kentucky. |
| Theme | The American Civil War; Women in American History; Health & Medicine |
| 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 |