Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) to Eliza Cook
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02570.55 Author/Creator: Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) Place Written: Cave Springs, Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 March 1864 Pagination: 5 p. Order a Copy
Christens his wife with a pet name: "Mavourneen" (my darling). Has sent her a care package. "Then as now I had comparatively nothing to write but I neglect no opportunity to send you a line." Discusses the importance of men being with women to break "off the rough corners and polishes him up". Continues, "You may see from these that I am somewhat of a gallant yet. But you must not be jealous as I am doing this on your suggestion and besides you are in the habit of going to frolics. It must have been a gay one you and Dr. Feris attended at Esq. Andrews'. I shrewdly suspect that there was more squalling than laughing at that one though…That sort of thing, it strikes me, should be deferred until after the war." Is boarding with a widow.
Born in Alabama on July 3, 1835, Cook moved to Texas alone at the age of 15 and studied law independently. Cook enlisted as a private in 8th Texas Cavalry, "Terry's Texas Rangers," in 1861 and was promoted to colonel by July 1863. After the war he became a circuit court judge for Galveston, served in the Texas state legislature and led an unsuccessful campaign for governor in 1890. He died in 1897 of complications from a wound suffered during his military service.
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