Private William S. Cook

Private William S. Cook

Company A (the "Buncombe Light Artillery"), 60th Regiment N.C. Troops

A company known as the “Buncombe Light Artillery” mustered into state service on April 12, 1862, and in May was designated “First Company,” McDowell’s Battalion N.C. Troops. That battalion had been recruited for local defense of the French Broad Valley. In August 1862, however, it mustered into Confederate service. Three more companies were assigned to the battalion and in September it was designated 60th Regiment N.C. Troops. The “First Company” became Company A. (Presumably because no cannons were available, Company A apparently never served as anything but infantry.)

One of the April recruits was William S. Cook (born ca. 1844), who lived with his parents and four siblings on a moderately prosperous farm in Buncombe County. The effect of camp life on Cook’s health, as was the case with so many young soldiers, was devastating. He was hospitalized with malaria (febris remittens) in December 1862-January 1863. He briefly returned to duty but was absent on sick furlough from March to November 1863, apparently suffering from chronic diarrhea. Cook was present for duty from late 1863 to May 1864, when he was detailed to drive a wagon at Atlanta. Illness consumed him again, however, and he was issued a Surgeon’s Certificate of Disability on August 28, 1864. There are no further military records for Cook, but he apparently survived the war.

Unknown Photographer

Manarin et al., North Carolina Troops, 15:423, 509; service record files of William S. Cook, 60th Regiment N.C. Troops, Compiled Service Records of Confederate Soldiers from the State of North Carolina (M270), RG109, NA.

David Wynn Vaughan Collection

1/6th plate Ambrotype