Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) to Eliza Cook
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC02570.65 Author/Creator: Cook, Gustave (1835-1897) Place Written: Beaufort, South Carolina Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 8 January 1865 Pagination: 8 p. Order a Copy
Decides to write a lighthearted and witty letter since he cannot sleep. Describes the routine morning activities and talks about the bad food. Writes a bit later in the day and includes "…I only need the love of one being and that one you can guess. The others I can give up." A postscript reads, "You are authorized to act in all things as you desire except marry again." Discusses letters he has received from family and friends, but never from his wounded brother Girard and sister-in-law Jennie. Mentions that some friends have stopped writing altogether and writes, "It looks like I was losing some of my best beloved friends and kindred. Thus it is though and I must try to win them back again…"
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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