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to Eliza Cook

Writes that he has been sicker than he has ever been in his life. Mostly camp news and general interest news. Cook hopes to visit and writes, "Will you be ready for me? Are you still the great fat girl you were writing to me about two or three...

GLC02570.20

to Eliza Cook

Cook wants Eliza to come visit him in Alabama. He thinks that even though it is expensive ($200 each way), it will be worth it if the war lasts much longer. He thinks that the war will be over before the year is through and plans to see Eliza in...

GLC02570.21

to Eliza Cook

Short note reporting Cook's chronic dysentery. Feels compelled to come home to visit but has an obligation to the army and "if a battle is fought here I must see it or I can never be satisfied."

GLC02570.22

to Eliza Cook

Has received Eliza's letter and even though it was over a month old, "your hand had traced it and your thoughts were on it so I kissed it and read it over and over." Cook reports that he received letters from his father and his aunt, but nothing...

GLC02570.23

to Eliza Cook

Short note about camp news. Includes lines about how when the war is over, Eliza and Gustave will come into their own and will be in "the heyday of our life." Reminds her to stay pretty because "…when I do return…then you can make me do as you...

GLC02570.24

to Eliza Cook

Gustave writes this letter by candlelight which he says "shoots up as I begin a word and dies out before I record the first syllable."
Includes camp news. Writes that he may stop by his father's house and check on his brothers' well being.

GLC02570.25

to Eliza Cook

Includes camp news. Cook promises to write friends and family once he has the chance. Wants Eliza to visit a good dentist "to plug any decayed teeth you have and file apart the two front ones…Pretty teeth you know are a great attraction and by...

GLC02570.26

to Eliza Cook

Cook went to visit family and "I found the whole country in mourning for relations and friends killed at the battles of Seven Pines and Richmond." Includes news about Girard and adds that Walter has been very sick but is improving slowly. He...

GLC02570.27

to Eliza Cook

Cook recounts his visits with his sister Ginny, "When I went to see her and the servant told her who it was in the parlor the nervous little woman came running with arms outstretched and tears streaming from her eyes. She threw herself upon my...

GLC02570.28

to Eliza Cook

Cook discusses camp news. He says he doesn't know where to tell her to write but has decided that sending mail by way of the private citizen is "not a good plan."

GLC02570.29

to Eliza Cook

Discusses camp news and recent campaigns. Includes a graphic description of the aftermath of the battle of Perryville: "Such slaughter I never dreamed of. Any where on the field you could stand still and count from one to two hundred dead men in a...

GLC02570.30

to Eliza Cook

Discusses camp news. Complains about his charges; he thinks "they need too much waiting on and watching, they are not manly enough." Asks Eliza what she and the children do for fun and asks "Do you ever talk about me and wonder where I am and what...

GLC02570.31

to Polly, Nettie and Peggy Cook

A short note just for the little girls so they "see that he does not forget his babies." Tells them to say their prayers, to study, be good and take care of their mother. Writes that he has a small white tent all to himself and say, "Would you not...

GLC02570.32

to Eliza Cook

Camp news and possible rumors of a possible promotion. Says he bought a young mare and a large horse and regrets the purchase of the horse because he could have sent her the money. He will send money for Christmas dinner.

GLC02570.33

to Ida Cook

Remands her for not writing after she promised to. Send his love to the family. Makes a deal with Ida: if she writes him a long neat letter he will tell her "how I live and all about the war and also send you a twenty dollar bill in it."

GLC02570.34

to Eliza Cook

Says he has just received all the letters Eliza has written him since he left. Says he just bought another mare for $300 "which I wish now I had to send you."

GLC02570.35

to Eliza Cook

Writes how the ink is freezing in his pen's point and it is visible in the letter. Reports on possible campaigns. Is frustrated with the mail which he calls "uncertain" and he "must learn to endure although I am inpatient when I do not get letters...

GLC02570.36

to Eliza Cook

Gustave has been wounded and his letter is written by the chaplain. His horse was shot and subsequently fell probably during the Battle of Stone's River. Says the fall "caused the blood to gush from my mouth and nose and made me a little [more...

GLC02570.37

to Eliza Cook

Long letter discusses camp news, campaigns. Written near Shelbyville, Tennessee.

GLC02570.38

to Eliza Cook

Discusses the incredibly cold weather and has frostbite on both feet and one finger. Mentions a paralysis (seizure?) in his arms, spine and "brain which left me senseless and speechless for about 24 hours. They all thought you'd be a young widow…"...

GLC02570.39

to Eliza Cook

Cook has no supplies to write a decent letter so he uses a pencil. Reports camp news and current situation. Written near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.

GLC02570.40

to Eliza Cook

Had not meant to write to Eliza but his hand automatically wrote "Darling." Reminds her of taking walks on the prairies and jokingly tells her to watch for persuasive suitors. Cook had written Eliza an explicit letter and wonders why she has not...

GLC02570.41

to Eliza Cook

Wonders if all his letters are boring his wife. Discusses having a cough and recovering. Reports that he will be stopping one day and expects to see an abundance of letters from home, "If not, it is strange and I shall incline to think you neglect...

GLC02570.42

to Eliza Cook

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...

GLC02570.43

to Eliza Cook

Says he has received Eliza's last 2 letters and is saddened to learn that their daughter Nellie is still sick. He tries to comfort her by saying that if she does not get better and dies, she will be with God and at peace. He is worried that due to...

GLC02570.44