Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897 to Eliza Cook

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02570.36 Author/Creator: Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897 Place Written: In camp near [Trime?], Tennesee Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 December 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : Order a Copy

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 about him. Writes that he thinks the war will be over soon: "it will be sweet to remember that we have suffered and know that all is over, that we are reunited and happy. It is such a beautiful hope such a happy anticipation that I allow myself to indulge in it freely. Do you ever think about it?"

Cooke, Gustave, fl. 1861-1865

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources