Rensselaer Gazette, Volume 3, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 December 1859 — Letter From Captain Cook. [ARTICLE]

Letter From Captain Cook.

Tne following is a letter from Captain John E. Cook, received by his brother-in-law in New York: Charleston Jail, Monday,?. Nov. 21, 1859. $ ■“My ever dear Sister and Brother: Y our kind welcome letter, postmarked November 14,1 received the following day. I have no words to tell the deep pure joy it gave me. So kind, so full of love and affection, that while it gave new life, it still il?ade me feel that I was all unworthy of such a loud and devoted sister. It made my lonely cell more cheerful, for from every word and liiiO beemed love’s own sunshine o’re my heart. It awoke to new lifejevery chord of affection and every kindred tie. I know that you do not believe that any stain of murder rests on my soul. Though doomed to die for such a crime, I feel a conscious innocence from such deep stains of blood. Whatever may be my fate, I shall meet it calmly. If we are thus early parted here, I hope that we again may meet where partings arc unknown. “Governor Wise arrived here with about four hundred troops last Sunday night. Two companies had come up from Alexandria the Friday previous; in all between five and six hundred men, with five pieces of artillery, they have all sorts' of rumors here about an attempt to rescue us. I have no idea that anv one at the North has any such idea. At least, I hope they have not.” Wednesday Morning, Nov. 2 3. When 1 left off writing yesterday morning, I did not think that this letter was destined to be delayed another day. We had about four hundred more visiters yesterday, among them were three young ladies from Harper’s Ferry, two of whom I was acquainted with. They gazed on me a moment with deep interest, and then burst into tears. They sympathized deeply with me in my sad position. I was glad to see them. I Have but a very poor chance to write here, as so many are < nstantly coming in to see us; some through sympathy, but more through curiosity. But there are many with whom I ha e become acquainted since I have been here, that I know do most truly sympathize with me. The jailor, Mr. Avis, is a kind hearted and noble man. Ail the attendants about the prison are very kind to us. Sheriff Campbell has also done us many favors. Edwin Ceppic, one of my comrades, is now in the same cell with me. We have been together about ten days. He is a no-ble-hearted fellow. But I must close. AcI cept. iny love and best wishes fur the welfare of you and yours. Good bye. As ever, your affectionate brother.

J. E. Cook.