“Captain Cook” Pvt. Edwin A. Loosley of the 81st Illinois Volunteer Infantry Regiment

The book consists of a lengthy series of letters and a diary started midway through the American Civil War. Opening with an introduction to Edwin's life, the book dives into the letters he sent to his wife, Ann, who lived in DuQuoin, Illinois. Edwin was both the cook for the regimental officers and a regular soldier during military action. The correspondence covers all aspects of his life as a solider and the events in which his Illinois Regiment were involved. For the last portion of the war, Edwin also kept a diary of brief notes. In his letters, he intersperses commentary on life in general and also addresses issues concerning his home life, wife, and children. The main portions of his letters deal with two topics, the camp life experienced by soldiers, and the various engagements in which he and his regiment participated. An epilogue gives a brief synopsis of Edwin's life and career after the Civil War. Many locations and battles are covered throughout this compelling book. The story begins with enlistment and early training. This is followed by service in western Tennessee and Mississippi. Major coverage begins with the events at Vicksburg in 1863, and continues with the Red River Campaign, travels to Missouri, then battles at Nashville and Mobile. Edwin was wounded northeast of Mobile and, after spending time in a field hospital in Louisiana, he travels north to Chicago, is discharged, and goes home to southern Illinois.

Karen D. Drickamer is excited to bring readers her debut book, "Captain Cook". Her passion for writing and history were the driving forces behind this thoroughly researched book. She spent her career first In the Archives at the Morris Library at Southern Illinois University and then nearly 20 years as Head of the Archives and Special Collections at Gettysburg College in Pennsylvania.

Lee C. Drickamer is happy to bring this original material, contained in these Civil War letters, to publication so that they may be used as a resource for scholars as well as those interested in the Civil War. He is a biologist who picked up history as a special interest. He has published on American history, academic history, and the history of the study of animal behavior. BIO - Lee C. Drickamer Lee Drickamer was raised in Champaign, Illinois, received his AB degree from Oberlin College (1967) and earned his PhD from Michigan State University (1970). As a biologist, primarily studying animal behavior he held academic and administrative positions at Williams College (1972-1987), Southern Illinois University at Carbondale (1987-1998) , and Northern Arizona University (1998-2010). He published more than 150 articles and book chapters on mammals, including mice, monkeys, prairie dogs, and swine. He also co-authored textbooks in animal behavior and mammalogy. His research was supported by grants from the NSF and NIH, along with a number of smaller grants from various foundations and other entities. In the late 1970s, he started following his lifetime interest in history, combining that with continuing science research. His topics have ranged from postal history, to Civil War history, to academic history. These include, for example, The Postal History of Berkshire County Massachusetts, Fort Lyon to Harper's Ferry (co-authored with Karen D. Drickamer) , a compilation, with commentary, on the newspaper dispatches of Charles Moulton who served in the 34th Massachusetts Volunteer Infantry (White Mane), Northern Arizona University: Buildings as History (University of Arizona Press), and A History of Physical Education and Athletics at Oberlin College (Ohio State University Press). Lee is currently involved in several history projects including a compilation of sports at Oberlin College and a series of maps of the college with a map for each year since its founding in 1833.