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

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 #: GLC02570.58 Author/Creator: Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) Place Written: Marietta, Georgia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 14 June 1864 Pagination: 7 p. + addr. Order a Copy

Cook writes that he has been very sick but is getting better. Critiques Eliza's last letter in which she doubts his love and truthfulness. He writes, "You speak of "Annie Laurie" as being sung in the house I 'used to love so much.' Was this kind? Thus to allude to a matter which I hoped was buried with the past and fully understood. How I may have acted heretofore I hoped you had forgiven when I so humbly begged forgiveness. But it seems that you still cherish it in your heart…I had hoped you were not jealous of me darling but this looks rather strange. I do not [illegible] anything I [illegible] have done and have after told you of everything that ever transpired between certain persons and myself…Think, Mavourneen, before you are so unkind again." Doesn't want Eliza corresponding with Ned McDaniel because "his estimate of female virtue is too low and he is not a man of conscientious scruples on that subject….Be sure to obey me on this. I don't like men who have no regard for a woman's virtue."
Says he has not heard from his family in Alabama in several months, "They do not write nor do I."

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.

Cooke, Gustave, fl. 1861-1865

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources