Category Archives: Charles F. Cock

Word of the draft

This is a second letter from Duncan McBain to Charles Cock. It is about six weeks later and the 8th Michigan is now at Newport News, Virginia having left Fredericksburg in early February. Although McBain is probably unaware of it, … Continue reading

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Every time I think of you I am Glad

Although it is dated 1862, the content of this letter makes clear that Duncan McBain wrote it in January 1863. Like many of us, it probably took him the better part of a month to get used to writing the … Continue reading

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Court Martial

Ten days after Charles H. Swartout wrote to Cock, another member of Company F of the 8th Michigan wrote to him. Lieutenant John D. Sumner provides Cock with news about the Company. He raises the same issue about the disagreement … Continue reading

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The Boys are Most Generally Well

This lengthy letter to Charles Cock came from his friend, Charles H. Swartout, who continued to serve with the 8th Michigan. Swartout wrote from Frederick City, Maryland where the regiment was then stationed. Charles Cock, on the other hand, has … Continue reading

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Please Recurperate with Family

Although this letter is dated one week earlier than Charles Cock’s final letter to his brother William, it is probable that Charles had not received it when he wrote on July 25. The letter is from William Henry Frost, a … Continue reading

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Ladies Aid Society

This last letter from Charles to his brother William was written from New York City. He refers several times to a wound he received in one of his feet and mentions that he has been able to walk a little … Continue reading

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Goat Point and Fort Pulaski

In his previous letter, Charles had expressed his hope that the 8th Michigan would soon move on from Beaufort, South Carolina where the unit had been encamped for several months. He believed that if they could only take the battle … Continue reading

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Learning about the South

At the end of March, Charles sits down on a Sunday to write to his brother William in Charleston Township once more. The 8th Michigan has been stationed at Beaufort for nearly three months now and Cock is starting to … Continue reading

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8-mile march

A month after his previous letter, Cock writes to his brother disappointed that he has not yet heard from him. Charles says he will write a quick letter because he has been busy and he will shortly have to participate … Continue reading

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Foraging expeditions

In his next letter to his brother, Charles Cock writes that the 8th Michigan has been sent to Beaufort, South Carolina. The new camp seems to be quite satisfactory in his opinion. Charles uses much of the letter to report … Continue reading

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