Cook, George B. (fl. 1845-1865) to family
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC00653.22.08 Author/Creator: Cook, George B. (fl. 1845-1865) Place Written: Richmond, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 December 1864 Pagination: 2 p. ; 20.3 x 27.3 cm. Order a Copy
This letter is printed on half of a regimental attendance sheet, perhaps demonstrating the lack of paper in the Confederate camp. Is well and hopes these lines find them in a similar condition. "We are having some very [cold] weather here." It snowed last Friday night. Attacked Union picket lines on Saturday, charging through shoe-high mud to push them back to their breast works. Was not in the thick of the fight; was placed with the baggage train "though the balls whistled around me pretty thick." The meat they get is called beef but is clearly horse or mule meat. As dire as the food situation is, has still managed to gain some weight in his time here. Saw another man shot for desertion. A man from his company, Perry Etcherson, will be shot tomorrow.
[draft excerpt]
14 December 1864:
…last Friday night and on Saturday morning we went to fighting in the snow mud and water shoe top deap we charged the yankey picket lines drove them back to ther breast works we killed so of them & wounded & captured some but I cant tell how many I don't know what our loss is but not heavy their wasnt anybody hurt that you know I was not in the [otest] of the fight myself I was lef in the rear with the baggage though the balls whistled around me pretty thick we are faring badly hear… I can inform you that I have seen one man shot for desersion and will see another shot to marrow it is Pery Etcherson he belongs to our company and their will allso be one hung in the 17 regt…
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.