We are fortunate in the Alma area and Buffalo County that two compilations of letters from Civil War soldiers have been published.
John Brobst's letters to Mary Englesby (his future wife, were published in 1960 as "Well Mary". Chauncey Cooke's letters to his family were published in several formats as "A Badger Boy In Blue". Both men served in the Company G of the 25th Wisconsin Regiment Infantry, both were from the area outside of Gilmanton, both mentioned each other in their letters.
It's a great perspective of two Civil War soldiers in the same unit, fighting the same battles, writing back to home at the same time.
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"A BADGER BOY IN BLUE"
Chauncey H COOKE of Buffalo County, Wisconsin
Civil War letters from Chauncey H COOKE of Dover Township, Buffalo County, Wisconsin to his family. Chauncey served in Company G of the 25th Regiment of the Wisconsin Infantry.
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"WELL MARY"
John F BROBST of Buffalo County, Wisconsin
Civil War letters from John F PROBST of Gilmanton Township, Buffalo County, Wisconsin to a neighbor girl of 13 who later became his wife. Johnserved in Company G of the 25th Regiment of the Wisconsin Infantry ... the same unit as Chauncey COOKE.
Throughout his wartime service, he wrote many letters to his 13-year-old neighbor Mary ENGLESBY back in Wisconsin starting out with the words "Well Mary ...". Those letters began in 1863 and continued to June, 1865, when he returned home.
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