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

17 August 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 breast and sobbed as though her heart would break saying whenever she could speak, 'oh, my brother I am so glad you are alive' 'I thought you might be dead' etc, etc. She held me around the neck for fifteen minutes looking up at me every few moments to see if it was really brother Gustave and then hiding her little face to weep for very joy."…

GLC02570.28

1 November 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 I am doing?" Wishes she was at home in their house rather than staying elsewhere.

GLC02570.31

7 November 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 like very mush to have my little tent for a playhouse? Oh! I know you would and when the war ends I may bring you a little one if I can get it."

GLC02570.32

9 November 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

9 November 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

10 December 1862

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 from my little wife. My own sweet one must think of me often, as I am very jealous of her love. I dream of you often darling Lizzie and oh! how sweet are my dreams. I see you, fold you to my heart of hearts and you look into my eyes with love and confidence." Cook is unsure of his wife's intentions and wonders if she dreams about him, thinks…

GLC02570.36

17 February 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

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

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

7 - 12 August 1863

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Eliza Cook

Reports attending a barbeque, presentation and a review. Describes what he wore and how "well I looked and all the girls refused to believe that I was married thinking it a joke." Puts Eliza's mind at ease with: "But as pretty and charming as they seemed I could not think how sligh were all their attractions when compared to my sweetheart." Writes that he has again applied for furlough to visit his brother Girard and has not heard back. He is worried about Girard's condition and would very much like to see him. Cook includes information regarding the regular Masonic meetings in the…

GLC02570.49

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 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

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

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

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

12 January 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

27 June 1774

Bass, Phillipe, fl. 1774

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry Knox

Captain Bass informs Knox that he knew his brother John when they sailed to London together. States that he has "been sick going on three years which has seduced me to the necessity to ask favours from Sundry Gentleman." Asks Knox for a donation.

GLC02437.00160

21 July 1774

Waldo, Jonathon, fl. 1721-1779

Autograph letter signed

Title: to William Knox

Comments on his poor health, "a bad cold which has affected my eyes." Asks Knox to send an enclosed letter to his mother. Mentions that he will be visiting Sally Flucker. Expects to see Knox soon.

GLC02437.00168

3 January 1822

Hobart, Nathaniel, 1758-1838

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Informs his nephew that he witnessed the ordination of Reverend Samuel Spring "and saw him inducted into the pastoral office over the church & congregation of the old parish." In regard to family news, he notes that that he was in Hanover for Christmas, "there appears to be a famine," and Mr. Whitman has moved into a new house. Asks about the progress of the bankruptcy law and if there will be a congressional investigation into "the controversy between General [Andrew] Jackson and the Spanish..."

GLC06313.04.128

27 November 1775

Knox, Henry, 1750-1806

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lucy Knox

Writes affectionately, asking about Lucy's journey from Worcester. Discusses his own journey to New York City on his way to Fort Ticonderoga, where George Washington had ordered him to travel to in order to bring back to Cambridge the British artillery captured there in the Spring of 1775. He met his brother on the road, a meeting he describes and dubs "truly farcical." Comments on business opportunities. Reports the easy victory by which American forces captured Montreal on 13 November 1775. mentioning the British retreat, the construction of an American battery, and the interception of…

GLC02437.00211