January 19, 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Short note jotted down at daybreak. Writes that he is enclosing a letter. Says he has rheumatism in his arms "which is not very troublesome."Written at Camp Johnson.

GLC02570.13

January 25, 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

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…

GLC02570.14

February 25, 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter

Title: to Eliza Cook

Cook's cousin is visiting. Wonders if the girls received his last letter. Reports that there are a handful of soldiers that are so ill they were left behind with a civilian. Parts of letter are missing. Written in a camp near Mursfreesboro, Tennessee.

GLC02570.19

12 March 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 months ago? You had better be or I shall begin to think you fatten on my absence. I will happen in on you all some day when you are at dinner and not looking for me. Would it not be pleasant for me to peep in at the dining room door on you when you were thinking me far away? Laugh at the idea now as you will but you see if I don't slip in on you…

GLC02570.20

16 March 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

30 July 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 having yours worked on a little they will be beautiful. Do it for my sake now darling and I expect to hear soon that you have done as I desire. Be sure to have the two front ones separated for they are decaying and need to be plugged badly. I shall send you plenty of money…" Is concerned about his two brothers. He writes, "I have not…

GLC02570.26

13 August 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 includes a story about Cornelius Sadler who was wounded at Shiloh, began recovering, and fell ill again with a pain in his side. "Dr. Burney of Montgomery examined the locality of the wound and opened a place from which he took a fragment of a shell weighing three and a half ounces. It was under the ribs." He includes new directions for sending him…

GLC02570.27

January 13, 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 foolish] than common for a few minutes but I was on my feet again directly." Campaign and camp news.

GLC02570.37

February 17, 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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…" Lists all the letters he finally received from as far back as December. He is interested in what the family does for fun while he is gone and hopes they do not sit around sulking. He is glad his wife's finger is healed so she can pick up in writing letters. He writes, "My dearest wife it is one of the greatest pleasures and most easily…

GLC02570.39

15 April [1863]

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 me. This may be unjust in me but why is it so few letters from you ever reach me?" Says he writes to more people than anyone in camp yet receives the least. He writes, "Enough, I have done, and unless my letters are answered and promptly I shall take it for granted they are uninteresting and shall cease writing altogether. My opportunities are…

GLC02570.42

1 June 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 his daughter's and wife illnesses they are running out of money and promises to send some ASAP. Wants the family to visit as soon as they can. He writes, "I think the mountain air of North Alabama and East Tennessee will bring the roses again to your pale cheeks….My heart is fairly sunk within me and I choke with grief when I think of your…

GLC02570.44

6 July 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Writes that his brother Walter has been killed near Chancellorsville, Virginia. Comforts his wife over the loss of their daughter Nellie by saying she is with God and "God has done best. We will cherish her memory." Eliza thinks Cook blames her for Nellie's death. Cook writes a page reassuring her that she is good and able. Offers to have Eliza come to Tennessee to recover. Shares his desire for success in the law once he is through with the war, but would forget it all if his wife needed him. Encourages Eliza to be strong and hopeful for those that are still alive.

GLC02570.45

31 July 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Includes news from camp. Discusses his recovery from a cough. Writes about his mistrust of sending mail with someone he doesn't know. He writes, "It is a great trust to send letters home by one and a man who would betray it would very materially injure him hereafter."

GLC02570.47

6 August 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Rejoices that his wife's health has improved. Tells her to keep in mind her health for everyone's sake so she will be healthy when he returns. Reports that his brother Girard was shot through the thigh at the Battle of Gettysburg. He writes, "Were he to die I should feel as one lost forever. He is my only and darling brother and beside myself, our dear mother's only child living." Promises Eliza she will be repaid for all her suffering and sacrifice when the war is over. Writes that his horses and uniforms take up much of his wages. He states, "The expenses of my position will more…

GLC02570.48

24 October 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Opens with, "Do not be frightened at my new handwriting as it is done with my left hand." Describes his wounds.

GLC02570.50

3 November 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Short note letting Eliza know his wounds are improving. Letter looks as though it was written over a previously written letter on bleached paper. Contains ANS by Gustave Cook to his wife on page 2.

GLC02570.51

February 1, - February 9, 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Discusses their good fortune in life. Describes how he looks and feels. Says his wounded hand has greatly improved and is better than he would have ever suspected. Has stopped writing to people at home except for his wife "and they shall only hear from me through the papers." Closes with: "Say to Blonde, Brunette and Twinkler that papa thinks of them always and hopes they will not forget him. I shall send you an ambrotype on photograph at the first opportunity. I wish yours my wifey dear very much but I am afraid the Yankees might get it some day."

GLC02570.53

15 March 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Sickness has forced him to give up a portion of his business. Expects a big battle. Includes a list of questions asked by Mary, and James' response to the questions. Some questions posed by Mary are: why did Mr. Freeman come home, can they get a tombstone "for our darling Allie's grave," pension rights if he should be killed, and monetary questions.

GLC05241.21

March 31, 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 4." Written from camp near Franklin. Discusses his business selling newspapers and his wish to be free from debt. If he is unable to go east this year, he will be entitled to two tickets next year. When he gets home he wants to do something about Eddy's feet.

GLC05241.27

21 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 13." Written from camp near Franklin. He bought a gold chain for her locket. Relates that Chris Brown from Company I was being careless with his rifle and accidentally shot Wilson McCandles in the rump. The bullet passed straight through both cheeks, but McCandles should be all right. Written in pencil.

GLC05241.37

23 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

"No 13." Written from camp near Franklin. The Confederates retreated to Columbia. Believes this to be an attempt to draw the Federal Army away from its fortifications. Discusses his newspaper business, paying debts, and lending money. Magie hopes to accumulate enough cash to pay off his debts and to buy the Journal when the war is over. They will need $100 to have Eddy's feet taken care of in New York.

GLC05241.38

26 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Written from camp near Franklin. Magie is writing in the doctor's tent and mentions the many sick soldiers who appear at the tent for medicine. He writes about his newspaper business and other men who speculate in food. Magie bought himself a watch and wants to get his picture taken, which could cost $1.50. He discusses pay and the bounty money owed by the army. He wants to find a doctor for Eddy's feet.

GLC05241.42

28 April 1863

Magie, James K., fl. 1862-1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Mary Magie

Written from camp near Franklin. The cavalry captured 136 Confederate prisoners. Mentions widespread sickness in camp. He shipped out a box and plans to send more money. Writes, "That man Jones was not shot yesterday. He was, by order of the president, sentenced to the Penitentiary during the war" (refer to GLC05241.40).

GLC05241.43

1 July 1863

Magie, Mary, fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to James K. Magie

"No. 14." Extensively details every aspect of her day. A sketch James drew has been printed in Harper's Weekly [see # 49]. The Doctor measured Eddy's feet for special shoes. Another child in town has a foot just like Eddy's.

GLC05241.44

14 May 1776

Howard, John Eager, 1752-1827

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Apologizes for disturbing Knox with this letter, refers to Knox as his benefactor, and insists that he writes out of necessity. Describes his impromtu joining of the campaign on the recent march from Massachusetts to New York, his lack of money, and his awkward position as neither an officer nor a soldier. Explains the dignity and honor of being well dressed. Requests relief (meaning money). Assures Knox that he will not be "one of the Continent's bad Bargains," explaining a common reference to those who have joined the service to "amuse and gratify" instead of for Howard's noble reasons…

GLC02437.00299