(from archived RCHC Web Site)

Transcribed by Robert L. Bailey.  Original source unidentified.

Note:  James H. Cook died 12 March 1863.  He served in Company D, 5th Tennessee Infantry, USA.  Click here to view Robert Bailey‘s transcription of that unit.

Camp near Murfreesboro, Rutherford County, March the 6th(?) 1863.

Dear Wife it with grate pleasure that I seat myself to write you a few lines to let you know that I am well at this time and hope when thse few lines comes to your hand they may find youd all enjoying the same gods blessing you must not look or expect any thing verry strang or good at the time for I have nothing of grate interest to declare to you at the present moment only that times to me are prosperous and promising Even at this time you have know eydia how I would like to see you and to be with you all once more during (?) of life [line illegible] I have w[r]itten several times and it is hard for me to know whether you have received one of them or not there is one thing shure I received one from you which was grate (?) pleasure to me to know that there was one on the Earth who thought so dear of me I were lifted to a grate interest in the receipt such thing and there is moore yet I got direct news from you since that I have heard from you several times the neighbor Boys coming out here that was much satisfaction to me to even tet that sort of news yet I would rather have one letter from you as to have a hundred different tails I delight in seening the workemanship of the hand or person who is so dear to me it is a greate dal (?) moore satisfaction than any other way that could be imagined that to do [line illegible] You wrote oh I mistake you sent me word something about that I owed Esqire William Deatherag I have got that fixed I think of it be fixed up and bargained with a man you will know it as soon as it is done and I want you to write to me soon as it is done shure to surtain to write all about the man who was to let you have the money was to let you have Southern money and I am to pay him Green back money of it and fix up that way I will send you money to pay it off your self I will send you some money the first opportunity that I think is a good one it is true I aint making money like as if I were working at home all for my self but I have got all that I have ever drawed from Government you may rest asured of that we get a plenty of ever thing we need [line illegible]. A few lines to Mother and the girl children and all for I dont want none to consider themself slited let all consider them selfs mention boath individualy and collectively to you all I want you to know that I have not forgoten you I wish I could be with you to enjoy your presents as I used to do it would be much pleasure to me I know I wish you a greate success as if I were with and moore to a many a time do I think of the pleasure of past time though it all gone it has all fled know but I do hope and pray ourselfs as we used to do so I ????? writing time write soon as you get these few lines and give me all the news of that country write direct your letter to James H. Cook and the 5th Regiment of E. Tennessee Volunteers J. T. Shelly Collonel Commanding, so no more at present only remain you devoted husband untill Death

From James H. Cook to Mrs. Susan Evaline Cook.