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Albert M. Cook Papers

An inventory of his papers at Syracuse University

Overview of the Collection

Creator: Cook, Albert M.
Title: Albert M. Cook Papers
Inclusive Dates: 1862-1878
Quantity: 0.5 linear ft.
Abstract: Papers of the Union soldier (1843-1872). Served as a clerk in the 123rd New York Volunteers during the Civil War, participated in Gettysburg and Atlanta Campaigns. Worked as a surveyor following war. Diaries (1862-1865); family correspondence (1862-1878); and memorabilia, including military certificates, Cook's company's muster-out roll, photographs, and newspapers.
Language: English
Repository: Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries
222 Waverly Avenue
Syracuse, NY 13244-2010
https://library.syracuse.edu/special-collections-research-center

Biographical History

Albert M. Cook (1843-1872) was an American Civil War soldier and surveyor. Born on January 30, 1843, he left his home in Greenwich, New York in 1862 and enlisted as a private in the 123rd Regiment, New York Volunteers. He served as company clerk, participated in the Battle of Gettysburg, and later marched south with his regiment, entering Atlanta on September 2, 1864. At the time of his discharge on June 8, 1865 he held the rank of Sergeant. In 1869 he moved west to Girard, Kansas where he worked as surveyor. He died on February 23, 1872.

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Scope and Contents of the Collection

The Albert M. Cook Papers contain Civil War letters, diaries, memorabilia, and some later correspondence. Correspondence consists of letters to his father Courtland C. Cook, his brother Frederick A. Cook, and his sister. The letters concern camp life and recount experiences on the battlefield. Included in the correspondence of the 1870s are a few letters from other family members and letters between Cook's sister and a suitor. The Diaries offer a more specific account of daily life during the war. Of interest in both correspondence and diaries are Cook's accounts of the execution of deserters and the shelling and occupation of Atlanta. Items of Memorabilia include Cook's promotion and discharge certificates, his company's muster-out roll, photographs of Cook and his brother Frederic, and contemporary newspapers.

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Arrangement of the Collection

Correspondence and diaries are arranged chronologically. Items of memorabilia are arranged alphabetically by type.

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Restrictions

Access Restrictions

The majority of our archival and manuscript collections are housed offsite and require advanced notice for retrieval. Researchers are encouraged to contact us in advance concerning the collection material they wish to access for their research.

Use Restrictions

Written permission must be obtained from SCRC and all relevant rights holders before publishing quotations, excerpts or images from any materials in this collection.

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Subject Headings

Persons

Cook family.
Cook, Albert M.

Corporate Bodies

United States. Army -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865, Sources.
United States. Army -- New York Volunteers, 123rd.

Subjects

Atlanta Campaign, 1864.
Gettysburg, Battle of, Gettysburg, Pa., 1863.
Soldiers -- United States.

Places

United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Campaigns.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Diaries.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Personal narratives.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Regimental histories.
United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Sources.
United States -- History -- Military -- To 1900 -- Sources.

Genres and Forms

Certificates.
Correspondence.
Diaries.
Muster rolls.
Newspapers.
Photographs.

Occupations

Soldiers.

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Administrative Information

Preferred Citation

Preferred citation for this material is as follows:

Albert M. Cook Papers
Special Collections Research Center,
Syracuse University Libraries

Acquisition Information

Purchase, 1970.

Finding Aid Information

Created by: MLB
Date: Mar 1972
Revision history: Aug 1978 - revised (MLB); 15 May 2007 - converted to EAD (MRC)

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Inventory

Correspondence
Box 1 1862
Box 1 1863
Box 1 1864 (2 folders)
Box 1 1865
Box 1 1869-1872
Box 1 1876-1878
Diaries
Box 1 1862, August 6-9 Fragments
Box 1 1862, Aug 6 - 1863, Jan 17 Volume 1
Box 1 1863, Jan 18 - Jul 12 Volume 2
Box 1 1863, Jul 13 - 1864, Feb 18 Volume 3
Box 1 1864, Feb 20 - Jul 7 Volume 4
Box 1 1864, Jul 7 - Dec 17 Volume 5
Box 1 1865, Mar 4 - Apr 19 [no title]
Box 1 1865, Apr 22 - Jun 12 [no title]
Memorabilia
Box 1 Certificate of promotion 10 Jan 1864
Box 1 Death certificate, Frederic A. Cook 21 Mar 1865
Box 1 Discharge certificate, Albert M. Cook 8 Jun 1865
Box 1 The Evening Bulletin, Providence, Rhode Island 12 Apr 1865
Box 1 Girard Press, Girard, Kansas 15 Jul 1871
Box 1 Muster-out roll Jun 1865
Box 1 Photographs of Albert M. Cook and Frederick A. Cook undated (2 items)
Box 1 Soldiers' Voting Bill, New York 1864
Box 1 Washington Co. People's Journal, Greenwich, New York 30 Mar 1865

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