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

December 31, 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Has sent $300 and wishes he could have sent more. Tells Eliza that she shall reap her reward for all her sacrifices. Writes that Sam has been taken prisoner and reasons that "while a prisoner [Sam] is at least out of danger." Notes that his brother Girard is almost ready for duty again. Reports that he has been promoted to Colonel and writes "Who knows but what I might be a Brig Gen'l one year from today!" Includes general camp news of local friends.

GLC02570.52

1 - 9 February 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

29 February 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Describes camp news. Almost illegible, very faint writing.

GLC02570.54

4 March 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Christens his wife with a pet name: "Mavourneen" (my darling). Has sent her a care package. "Then as now I had comparatively nothing to write but I neglect no opportunity to send you a line." Discusses the importance of men being with women to break "off the rough corners and polishes him up". Continues, "You may see from these that I am somewhat of a gallant yet. But you must not be jealous as I am doing this on your suggestion and besides you are in the habit of going to frolics. It must have been a gay one you and Dr. Feris attended at Esq. Andrews'. I shrewdly suspect that there was…

GLC02570.55

29 April 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Glad that he received Eliza's picture and letter. Cook is relived that she is well again and shares his fear of her death. He was most afraid she would die without ever knowing how much he loved her. Wishes their children to grow up and follow in their mother's goodness. Note takes the tone of an apology/guilt ridden letter. He writes, "Oh that I were with you every day and hour, that I might in some measure atone for the past and convince you that I am wholly truly and forever thine and thine only." Cook is upset by the death of his good friend Robert Calder and says "The death of…

GLC02570.56

13 June 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Cooks wants to set the record straight on "the house 'I loved so much'." He feels he has been straightforward and has told Eliza everything of his past indiscretions. Says he will again clear things up when he returns. He writes, "…nothing will afford me more pleasure than to take you in my lap and all alone in our little room tell it all to you truthfully and fully. If you wish it I will tell you all that occurred while I was in Texas before the war and will answer all questions your curiosity may prompt." Follows with a suggestion for Eliza to work on her letter writing, especially her…

GLC02570.57

14 June 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Cook writes that he has been very sick but is getting better. Critiques Eliza's last letter in which she doubts his love and truthfulness. He writes, "You speak of "Annie Laurie" as being sung in the house I 'used to love so much.' Was this kind? Thus to allude to a matter which I hoped was buried with the past and fully understood. How I may have acted heretofore I hoped you had forgiven when I so humbly begged forgiveness. But it seems that you still cherish it in your heart…I had hoped you were not jealous of me darling but this looks rather strange. I do not [illegible] anything I…

GLC02570.58

7 July 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Writes that he is thinking of Eliza and has nothing to write except "that I love you and fear you do not believe it." Discusses at length camp and army news. Reports on his gaunt physique and how much he has changed from the man Eliza fell in love with. Reports the arrival of Dr. Feris' letter and his quick reply.

GLC02570.59

15 July 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Writes about his and Eliza's wedding day, 11years ago. Reminds her of God's blessings regardless of all the illness and death that has been bestowed upon them. Wishes he had kept and journal and "let our children see the joys and sorrows, hopes and fears, disappointments and successes through which we have passed." Apologizes for his indiscretions and selfishness throughout the years. He writes, "I have so often annoyed you by attentions to others which though harmless in themselves I should have known were troublesome to you. I have often thought to give you a full true account of all…

GLC02570.60

16 September 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Shares his distress over being one of the few people left in his family. With his brother Girard paralyzed, Gustave feels he must take his place as the beloved warrior in the family but feels like he would be usurping that position. Tells Eliza she must be a pillar of strength for the family. Wishes to change to a more cheerful subject but goes on to discuss the awful circumstances of the local people and writes, "The sight I see daily, almost hourly, would sicken your tender heart and fill you with compassion for our brave women and old men. Even the children [illegible] to the loss of…

GLC02570.61

22 October 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Has received Eliza's letters those from friends dated as far back as December 1863. Fills her in on where his camp is going and where they have been since his last letter. Can't bear to write any news of the war and instructs Eliza to read the papers. Thinks there is a chance of getting a 90 day furlough that winter but goes on to say that he has a tough decision: "it [would be] best for all that I should stay if I get proper assurances that I can organize the command and be promoted also but unless I get the certainty of raising the Brigade I would not stay for a major General commission……

GLC02570.62

29 October 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Short note reporting that "Sammie is alive and well though a prisoner in the hands of the enemy." Writes that his application for furlough is being strongly recommended. Was written near Jacksonville, Alabama.

GLC02570.63

14 December 1864

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Discusses camp news. Feels that the war is more than half over. Interested in how the children are doing and what they are learning. Wants daughter Ida to continue her education away from home but doesn't think she would do well in the presence of complete strangers. He suggests she come stay with him where he can better support her. Says he hasn't sent money because he learned that Confederate money is of no value in Texas. Offers to send home the "hands" he brought with him to war. Suggests moving out to the country and growing the food she needs and being self-sufficient. Discusses…

GLC02570.64

8 January 1865

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Decides to write a lighthearted and witty letter since he cannot sleep. Describes the routine morning activities and talks about the bad food. Writes a bit later in the day and includes "…I only need the love of one being and that one you can guess. The others I can give up." A postscript reads, "You are authorized to act in all things as you desire except marry again." Discusses letters he has received from family and friends, but never from his wounded brother Girard and sister-in-law Jennie. Mentions that some friends have stopped writing altogether and writes, "It looks like I was…

GLC02570.65

January 12, 1865

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Tells Eliza that he wrote her four days ago and "sent the letter off by a very uncertain carrier but hope you will get it. I now regret not having retained it until the present as I have a most excellent opportunity to transmit letters." A friend from home has come to visit and Cook is glad to be able to give himself "up again to the aspirations of partial friends and becoming immersed in ambitious dreams of fame and power, that I sometimes tremble at the thought of a return of peace and opportunity for temptation." Relays a dream he has about their reuniting. Hopes to secure 1000 acres "…

GLC02570.66

13 December 1865

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Illegible, very faint writing.

GLC02570.68

1861-1865

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Letter

Title: to Eliza Cook

Illegible fragment

GLC02570.69

April 28, 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill explains that he is sick with "disinterry," as are most of the soldiers in his camp, and twice asks his mother to do what she can to bring him home. He divulges that "the boys don't find it as they expected," and that rations are only about half of what is necessary.

GLC03859.01

26 July 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill learned in his mother's last letter that his brother is missing, and now offers encouragement that he will be found alive. He reveals that "disease is making sad havoc with us at present….[i]n fact I am more afraid of disease than I am of rebil bulits." He explains that only ten men in the company are fit for duty.

GLC03859.02

11 August 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill is well at present, and expects "a little brush" with the Confederate Army soon. He describes the seventy mile march from Mississippi to Tennessee, and briefly mentions that the soldiers were recently paid.

GLC03859.03

14 August 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Two men, Jonathan Snook and O.B. Boughton have been sent to Michigan to recruit soldiers for the company. Churchill is well and "as fat as a stuffed chicken." The Cavalry took 26 "cotton burners or guerillas," all of whom will presumably be released on parole of honor, "as General Ross, the Commander of this Post, has a peculiar way of returning fugitive slaves." Churchill speculates that some generals have sympathy for the "poor slave holder and nigger driver." David McCord and David Tyler are to be discharged and sent home.

GLC03859.04

27 August 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill anticipates the arrival of new troops, and hopes that the reinforcements and coming cold weather will hasten the end of the war. Newton, a fellow soldier, will be home soon as he has been discharged.

GLC03859.05

01 September 1862

Churchill, Byron, 1846-?

Autograph letter signed

Title: to: Drazilla Churchill.

Churchill describes a false alarm the previous evening, when a picket reported around 2:00 A.M. that "the Rebels were coming in force." All of the soldiers turned out equipped to fight, and remained ready until 6:00 A.M., when it became apparent they were not in danger. Churchill reports that "the boys are burning the town" [Chawalla?], with "ten buildings already burned to the ground, and others burning." Only the depot is to be left standing. He expresses contempt for the men of Burr Oak who have remained at home, and observes that Boughton and Snook (see #4) "had better turn their…

GLC03859.06