Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) to Eliza Cook
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02570.61 Author/Creator: Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) Place Written: In camp, North Alabama. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 September 1864 Pagination: 10 p. Order a Copy
Shares his distress over being one of the few people left in his family. With his brother Girard paralyzed, Gustave feels he must take his place as the beloved warrior in the family but feels like he would be usurping that position. Tells Eliza she must be a pillar of strength for the family. Wishes to change to a more cheerful subject but goes on to discuss the awful circumstances of the local people and writes,
"The sight I see daily, almost hourly, would sicken your tender heart and fill you with compassion for our brave women and old men. Even the children [illegible] to the loss of every earthly comfort with perfect composure trusting to the God who rights the wrong to reinstate them in their homes again and visit the spoiler with a [illegible]." Discusses the weather and yearns to spend the fall with his wife. He writes, "Oh how sweet the reverie I indulge. It is too happy to last. The harsh, sad realities of war around me awaken me to the knowledge that it is all but 'castles in the air.' We may enjoy such yet; let us hope at any rate." Is very proud and protective of the local Fort Bend boys in his regiment. He writes, "They are…most brave soldiers of whom Fort Bend County may well be proud…They are a splendid set of boys and I love them all dearly as noble men and their country's stay in the hour of danger."
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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