EDWARD ALONZO COOK -- 153rd INFANTRYCONTRACTED SMALLPOX IN THE ARMY - In early September of 1862, EdwardAlonzo Cook enlisted in the newly-formed 153rd Infantry as a privatewhen he was 19 years old. He was the son of Elias and Jane A. Cook.Before he joined the Army, Edward was a brickmaker in his father'sbusiness. Fifteen men from the Plattsburgh area were recruited forCaptain D. J. Rich's Company I, others were recruited from Chesterfield,Champlain and Au Sable. In all, there were 71 privates in the companyThey left for Washington on October 18th willing to serve for 3 yearsand were first stationed in Alexandria as provost guard. For most of1863, the regiment did garrison and guard duty around the capital. Whilethey were in 1863/1864 winter quarters, Edward came down with smallpoxand was sent to Kalorama Hospital in Alexandria, just before the 153rdwas sent to Louisiana.When he became well enough to travel, he returned to his parents' home,and the 1870 census listed him as "blind". Seven years later, he marriedJulia Allen Bartlett, and the couple had a daughter, who lived until1926. In later life, Edward married again and had a son who was thelight of his life. Newspaper articles in 1902 not how his family wasdistressed by his lingering illness.Edward's death was recorded in the Plattsburgh Sentinel of February 1,1902 -- "Death of an Old Veteran - One more member of the G. A. R. hasanswered the roll call, and gone before his Master, thus lessening thealready small number of those staunch old soldiers of the Civil War, whogave up home and personal interests offered their services to theircountry in her time of need. Edward Cook died at his home near Valcouron Saturday afternoon of paralysis. Mr. Cook was 59 years of age andleaves a wife and one son. He contracted smallpox while in the war, andas a result, lost his eyesight. He kept a boat livery near the mouth ofthe Salmon River, and many Plattsburghers patronized him in thatvicinity when on picnics. The funeral services were held at the house.Rev. Mr. Richmond officiated, and the interment will be at Salmon RiverCemetery." (The South Plattsburgh Cemetery)
