Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897 to Eliza Cook
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02570.39 Author/Creator: Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897 Place Written: Near Louisburg, [Tennesee?] Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 February 1863 Pagination: 6 p. Order a Copy
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 acquired arts imaginable, this of letterwriting, and I desire our babies instructed early and perseveringly in it." Tells his wife to keep her spirits up and to be strong. Mentions that the night she had dinner with Mr. Martin, he was "at the head of my regiment on the battlefield of Murfreesboro linking it into the Yankee cavalry. Suppose you had known it why you would have made a baby of yourself no doubt and been scared to death all but now couldn't you! Oh you baby you!"
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