TRANSCRIBED FROM THE ARKANSAS GAZETTE NOVEMBER 18, 1918 P. 2
Mother,
I have great news for you. I am in command of a battalion of the 18 th infantry, First Division. . . . I have been in command of the battalion for only a few every day counts. I saw brother Gil- days but under present conditions bert the other day under extraordinary circumstance, about which I will tell you after the war. He was in good health and in command of a battalion, so you see you have two sons who are battalion commanders. This war has convinced me that this life is too shallow to be only life the good Lord has cut for us. Here there is contempt of this life on all sides of you. The war has been a stern but efficient teacher. The lessons are severe, but are quickly learned and will never be forgotten. They are comprehensive, embracing subjects military and plain, simple manly living among men under the most trying circumstances, hard labor, and fatigue, in the face of bad wether, heat, rain and cold, with thoughts of ones, love of country, guided by a high sense of duty and tempered by respect for the omnipotent, all of these and many more are the daily lessons.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by James Christopher Cook to his mother, Mrs. Joe E. Cook, of Texarkana, Arkansas. In the letter he makes mention of his brother Gilbert. A letter written by Gilbert is posted in Miller County. Lieut. Cook was born in Faulkner County, Arkansas on February 21, 1895 and died on May 4, 1966. He is buried in the Mitchell Cemetery in Gans, Oklahoma. His military headstone identifies him as an Oklahoma Private serving in 16 Company, 160 Depot Brigade during World War 1. He enlisted on June 25, 1918 and was discharged on January 21, 1919. He had previously served during the Mexican Border dispute in 1916. He was a professor and athletic director at the State Normal School, now University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT NOVEMBER 22, 1917 P. 5
We had a big review the other day for General Pershing and Marshal Joffre. I had an opportunity to shake hands and converse with both and am glad to say they each had a word of praise for our work. Today I received an autographed wrist watch from the marshal. He sent one to each staff officer. The other officers received autographed pipes.
NOTES: Captain James C. Cook taught at Arkansas State Normal School, now the University of Central Arkansas at Conway, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DAILY ARKANSAS GAZETTE DECEMBER 15, 1918 P. 2
So you can imagine their surprise and joy when they saw the Americans chase their hated Boche oppressors from their towns. They were a sight to excite pity, these miserable people. A lump would come into your throat and your eyes well up almost unconsciously as you looked upon these vagabonds as they came tramping out from what had been their prison quarters for more than four years. But it was a sight that made you proud to be an American.
When these rescued people came within our lines they were fed by the Americans and were given whatever blankets they needed. Then they were taken to the rear in American and French trucks. After their trials they went away smiling and happy to go they knew not where.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Captain James Cook to his mother. In the letter he was referring to French refugees.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.
Mother,
I have great news for you. I am in command of a battalion of the 18 th infantry, First Division. . . . I have been in command of the battalion for only a few every day counts. I saw brother Gil- days but under present conditions bert the other day under extraordinary circumstance, about which I will tell you after the war. He was in good health and in command of a battalion, so you see you have two sons who are battalion commanders. This war has convinced me that this life is too shallow to be only life the good Lord has cut for us. Here there is contempt of this life on all sides of you. The war has been a stern but efficient teacher. The lessons are severe, but are quickly learned and will never be forgotten. They are comprehensive, embracing subjects military and plain, simple manly living among men under the most trying circumstances, hard labor, and fatigue, in the face of bad wether, heat, rain and cold, with thoughts of ones, love of country, guided by a high sense of duty and tempered by respect for the omnipotent, all of these and many more are the daily lessons.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by James Christopher Cook to his mother, Mrs. Joe E. Cook, of Texarkana, Arkansas. In the letter he makes mention of his brother Gilbert. A letter written by Gilbert is posted in Miller County. Lieut. Cook was born in Faulkner County, Arkansas on February 21, 1895 and died on May 4, 1966. He is buried in the Mitchell Cemetery in Gans, Oklahoma. His military headstone identifies him as an Oklahoma Private serving in 16 Company, 160 Depot Brigade during World War 1. He enlisted on June 25, 1918 and was discharged on January 21, 1919. He had previously served during the Mexican Border dispute in 1916. He was a professor and athletic director at the State Normal School, now University of Central Arkansas in Conway, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LOG CABIN DEMOCRAT NOVEMBER 22, 1917 P. 5
We had a big review the other day for General Pershing and Marshal Joffre. I had an opportunity to shake hands and converse with both and am glad to say they each had a word of praise for our work. Today I received an autographed wrist watch from the marshal. He sent one to each staff officer. The other officers received autographed pipes.
NOTES: Captain James C. Cook taught at Arkansas State Normal School, now the University of Central Arkansas at Conway, Arkansas.
TRANSCRIBED BY LARAE SHURLEY
TRANSCRIBED FROM THE DAILY ARKANSAS GAZETTE DECEMBER 15, 1918 P. 2
So you can imagine their surprise and joy when they saw the Americans chase their hated Boche oppressors from their towns. They were a sight to excite pity, these miserable people. A lump would come into your throat and your eyes well up almost unconsciously as you looked upon these vagabonds as they came tramping out from what had been their prison quarters for more than four years. But it was a sight that made you proud to be an American.
When these rescued people came within our lines they were fed by the Americans and were given whatever blankets they needed. Then they were taken to the rear in American and French trucks. After their trials they went away smiling and happy to go they knew not where.
NOTES: This partial letter was written by Captain James Cook to his mother. In the letter he was referring to French refugees.
TRANSCRIBED BY CAROLYN YANCEY KENT.