July 14th, 2011
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/14/2011
War-date Autograph Letter Signed, “Henry B. Cook Co. K 16th Conn. Vols” 8pp. octavo, New Berne, North Carolina, May 22, 1865, with cover, it reads in part: “...an accident happened at the depot. The cars had started off when the Quarter Master of the 15th Conn tried to get on them, but slipped under them and both his limbs were run over and his ribs badly broken. Dr. Myers and another surgeon took his legs off one above the knee and the other below, he lived but a short time after the operation was performed. I saw him after the job was done it was indeed a hard looking sight, but must have looked much worse before they were taken off he being so badly mangled. He was buried this morning in the soldiers grave yard, outside the fortifications, some of our Regt. going as an escort as far as the breastworks the Col. and other officers of the 15th were present at the funeral they being stationed at Kingston...I went to the negro church - the minister an old grey haired darkey spoke very well, but aside from that I hardly know what to say, for it was beyond my comprehension. I had no idea they carried the thing so far, for all of the hollering, screaming, jumping up and down this beat anything ever I saw at any rate for a meeting of a religious nature. I wish you could attend but one of them, no doubt that would be all that you would wish too, but I should really like to have [you] see for once the way they operate for some of them act more like one that is crazy than a sane person...as the darkey minister said woman belongs to herself, else how could she give herself away...”Fine. Henry Cook was taken prisoner at Plymouth, NC in April 1864, and was paroled in December of that year. The 16th Connecticut was formed in Hartford County, Connecticut, in July and August 1862. It was mustered into service August 24, 1862 and became part of Mr. Lincoln's Army of the Potomac. Three weeks later the regiment first saw action at the Battle of Antietam, Maryland as part of Burnside's Ninth Army Corps. Having loaded muskets for the first time only the day before the battle, the regiment suffered significant casualties at Antietam. It next saw action at Fredericksburg, Virginia in December 1862, then at the Siege of Suffolk, Virginia in April/May 1863. In 1864, the 16th Connecticut, then with the 18th Army Corps, was part of the Union garrison at Plymouth, North Carolina, and vigorously defended Plymouth against a Confederate combined land and naval attack April 17-20, 1864 led by General Robert F. Hoke, C.S.A. Outnumbered more than 5 to 1, with no means of escape or opportunity for reinforcements, the Union garrison at Plymouth was surrendered on April 20, 1864 by Brigadier General Henry W. Wessells. These Union soldiers at Plymouth were known as the "Plymouth Pilgrims".
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