Cook (Edward L.) Papers, 1862-1865

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Summary

Title:
Edward L. Cook Papers,
Dates:
1862-1865
Creators:
Cook, Edward Leigh
Extent:
.2 linear feet (1 half-size document box)
Language:
English.
Preferred citation:

Edward L. Cook Papers. Wyles Mss 39. Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Background

Scope and content:

Primarily correspondence of Edward Leigh Cook, a resident of Nunday, N.Y. Cook was a Civil War Union soldier who served with the 100th New York Infantry, Co. F. and Co. H. The letters date from September 17, 1862 to September 6, 1865. Almost all were written to his parents and sisters while Cook served in Virginia, South Carolina, and Florida. (There is at least one item that seems to have been written by a comrade to Cook's sister Laura).

In most of his correspondence, Cook describes various aspects of military life: travel, weather, the rigors of life in the field, and his private cares and concerns. He also gives his account of a number of battles in which he participated (Fort Sumter, Fort Wagner) in vivid detail. Cook also makes note of a number of famous personages and events: a visit by General Grant, the Sherman Campaign, troop movements and reported observations by Generals Lee, Sheridan, Grant and others. He describes his reactions to the death of Lincoln, the end of the war, and his desire to return home as soon as possible following Lee's surrender and the cessation of hostilities.

Biographical / historical:

Drawn from an entry in: New York in the War of the Rebellion, 1861-1865, v.4, Albany, 1912:

Edward Leigh Cook (1835-1919) enlisted at Buffalo to serve three years and mustered in as Corporal, Company H, September 4, 1864. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, March 16, 1864. Further promotions followed: Second lieutenant, April 21, 1864; mustered in as First Lieutenant, August 4, 1864; as Captain, Company F, January 28, 1865; mustered out with company, August 28, 1865, at Richmond, Va. Other listings from his military career: Major, N.Y. Volunteers, by brevet; commissioned Second Lieutenant, May 18, 1864, with rank from April 21, 1864, replacing E. Nichols who was promoted; First Lieutenant, November 19, 1864, with rank from July 1, 1864, replacing M. Friday who was dismissed; Captain, January 20, 1865, with rank from December 9, 1864, replacing J.H. Dandy who was promoted.

Acquisition information:
Gift of Mr. And Mrs. Durward Sydney Riggs, 1964.
Physical location:
Vault

About this collection guide

Collection Guide Author:
Processed by Edward C. Fields; also student assistant Victoria Rockwood
Date Prepared:
© 2002
Date Encoded:
Machine-readable finding aid in EAD v. 1.0 derived from MS Word 2000 file by David C. Gartrell. Date of source: 01 November 2002 .

Access and use

Restrictions:

None.

Terms of access:

Copyright has not been assigned to the Department of Special Collections, UCSB. All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Head of Special Collections. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the Department of Special Collections as the owner of the physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which also must be obtained.

Preferred citation:

Edward L. Cook Papers. Wyles Mss 39. Department of Special Collections, Davidson Library, University of California, Santa Barbara.

Location of this collection:
UC Santa Barbara Library
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9010, US
Contact:
(805) 893-3062
special@library.ucsb.edu
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