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war s historyappreciated Grandpa’s books until I became interested in genealogical research.” But an interest in history must run in the family, because after months of diligent searching, Linda has tracked down and made contact with her husband’s relatives in Germany.After Boys in Blue was published at Grandpa Cook’s expense, Linda remembers that George F. Sommer-ville of Van Buren County lent Grandpa the diary of Captain George W. Sommerville who served in the 19th Iowa Volunteer Infantry. That resulted in the publication of Immortal Blue. Unlike some dia-' rists, Sommerville was not a line-a-day person. He wrote copiously and spontaneously. Describing his introduction to army fare he said: “There was a crude bench erected for a table, when some gentleman yelled out at the top of his voice to Company H that dinner was ready,’ and every fellow made a dive for the table with a tin platter and a tin cup — to get what? — a short piece of sow belly, a spoonful of rice, (hand the name) one hard tack, and coffee as black as your hat, (could not bite the biscuit).”Eating with Company H. may have had its humorous moments, but fighting was quite another matter. At Prairie Grove, Ark., Sommerville wrote with horror: “My God! What a sight to see the dead of both sides strewn over that bloody orchard.” The Captain went on to say that never again did he wish to see such a sight.THE BATTLE W AS horrible. Sommerville observed: “Every man and boy that was able to handle a shotgun and that lived in that immediate neighborhood was in the battle; and all the women and children of that section of the country were there hunting up their dead ... and whenever they found one of their kindred such a cry of anguish and sorrow never was heard before; nor do we want to hear it again.”The Immortal Blue was followed by the Second Immortal Blue, Boots and Saddles and Father Abraham’s Boys in Blue.What was truly amazing about Grandpa, said Linda, was that he did the major part of his historical work late in life after he had suffered a stroke which affected his sight. Of course, she added, Grandma was not only an inspiration to him but also a great help.Grandpa, Linda said in conclusion, was not interested in making money from his research and writing. Theodore Cook wanted to preserved the Civil War records in Van Buren County and to pass them on to the next generation.
Newspaper Details
Burlington Hawk Eye
Burlington, Iowa, US
Wed, May 19, 1982
Page 7
Full Page
Clipped by
Anonymous
USA 10 Jun 2023
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