Letter, Babe Cook to his sister
Object number1998.044.04
DateJuly 17, 1862
OriginTupelo, Mississippi
Mediumpaper and ink
Dimensions12 x 7 1/2 in. (30.5 x 19.1 cm)
Credit LineOld State House Museum Collection
Terms
Isaac "Babe" Cook served in Co. B of the 1st (Colquitt's) Arkansas Infantry. His sister was the widow of Alex Spence's older brother. Cook was killed a the Battle of Murfreesboro on December 31, 1862. Tom Spence was killed during the same battle.
Camp 1st Arkansas Regt. Bvt. near Tupelo, Miss
July 17th, 1862
Dear Sister
As Billy Adams leaves tomorrow or next day for Arkansas I will again write you. Have written several letters but received none. Thought it very strange that I did not received a letter by Billy Adams, but reading a letter from Alex to Yancey he states that Brother Dempsey was in the Service. So I supposed you was staying with Sis and did not know when he left. I am very anxious to hear from you. Alex written you had heard of the death of our beloved Brother. I was sorry to hear that Brother Dempsey had gone into the Service. I fear he cannot stand a campaign. He also has a family dependent on him for a support. I would rather remain in the Service five years than for Brother Dempsey to be out one. I think I can stand the campaign very well. My health is good at this time. Has been very good ever since I left Corinth. The health of the Entire Army has much improved. We have been doing nothing since we left Corinth, only moved to this place, a distance of 60 miles. It has been so very dry that it would of been improbable to of moved an Army. It has rained. I think we will move in some direction soon. Until yesterday we have had no rain in near two months. Crops have suffered a great deal. We had a very nice rain yesterday and last night nothing like a season. I think we will have [to] move tonight. I received a letter from Tommy two days ago. He was at Chattanooga, Tenn. in good health. Says he doesn't think they will remain there a great while. Don't know when they will go. Rather thinks they will go towards Nashville, Tenn. There is some talk of our Rgt. being attached to another brigade and being moved to Iuka. We have been over run with the news of Hindman capturing Custis with eight thousand prisoners, which was confirmed in yesterday's paper and contradicted in today's. I remarked that the news was too good when I heard it. I am of the impression that we will have some hard fighting to do yet. Alex written to Yancey of date June 28th that he would be back in three weeks, that he was going to start to Little Rock to get a permit from Gen'l Hindman to return to his company. I suppose no persons can leave the state without a permit from Hindman. I wish Alex could get back. We are about destitute of officers. Capt. Stark has resigned and Lt. Yancey is now at the surgeon's to get discharge on account of his health. I do not know where [sic] he will succeed or not. Lt. Alexander is afflicted with a breaking out of some kind, and not able for duty for a few days past. Lizer, I don't know when I will try to get home. I want to name the Baby after our deceased Brother, Washington. My Love to Sis and Charley, Mr. & Mrs. Spence. Write the first chance to.
Your Loving Brother,
Babe
Status
Not on view
February 18, 1862
November 7, 1861
February 4, 1862
July 17, 1862