The Gettysburg College–Gilder Lehrman MA in American History: Apply now and join us for Fall 2024 courses
6 March 1863
Cook, Gustave, 1835-1897
to Eliza Cook
Cook has no supplies to write a decent letter so he uses a pencil. Reports camp news and current situation. Written near Murfreesboro, Tennessee.
GLC02570.40
19 - 20 March 1863
Had not meant to write to Eliza but his hand automatically wrote "Darling." Reminds her of taking walks on the prairies and jokingly tells her to watch for persuasive suitors. Cook had written Eliza an explicit letter and wonders why she has not...
GLC02570.41
15 April [1863]
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...
GLC02570.42
20 April 1863
Fuss about Cook's lack of mail: "I will venture that no other wife in Texas, or sweetheart even, gets half as many letters from her lover as you do. Is it not so? And yet I do not get letters from you as often as many do from others. How come this...
GLC02570.43
1 June 1863
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...
GLC02570.44
6 July 1863
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...
GLC02570.45
30 July 1863
Discusses the rainy weather and knows that things like that are not unusual in the army and should not complain. Has an awakening (Page 4) and apologizes for being unkind and uncaring in the past. Cook promises to change his ways when he comes home...
GLC02570.46
31 July 1863
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...
GLC02570.47
6 August 1863
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...
GLC02570.48
7 - 12 August 1863
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...
GLC02570.49
Showing results 78481 - 78490