Page:Sketches of representative women of New England.djvu/391

290 still the banner department. I trust that we may be able to claim this in every department in which our line of work takes us. There is peace within our borders, and side by side with our comrades we stand for every good we can accomplish under the banner upon which is inscribed the principles of the Grand Army of the Republic&mdash;Fraternity, Charity, and Loyalty.

In referring to the Soldiers' Home she said: "If there is one spot more than another that the loving care and devotion of the true-hearted women of our department centres around, it is this home, where to-day rest in peace the war-worn and crippled veterans who have fought the battles of their country and are entitled to all that we can do to make their last days those of peace and comfort." She recommended that all corps be requested to appoint a Soldiers' Home Committee, whether they have a room in the home or not, this committee to arrange that at least once a year a donation of either money or articles be sent to the home.

Among other subjects of interest that were ably considered by Mrs. Cook was the flag salute. Concerning this she expressed the following sentiments: "Our country's flag&mdash;how our hearts thrill with pride, as we watch its graceful folds as they float in the breeze of heaven, and think that on every sea, in every port where commerce finds its way, wherever civilization has its home and human freedom has an inspiration, that ensign is welcomed and beloved! It speaks to us by all the memories of the past to do all in our power to maintain this heritage. Realizing that in this symbol we do see the world's best hope for civil and religious liberty, our organization has taken upon itself the task, believing it to be a duty as well as a privilege, to use every legitimate means to have the salute to the flag introduced into the public schools. Should not our children be taught that the flag is the guardian of all their most treasured interests? By this we hope, too, that a new spirit of patriotism may be awakened in the community."

Her administration was a successful one, Mrs. Cook being guided by a sincere desire faithfully to serve the Department of Massachusetts, over which she had the honor to rule.

Benjamin F. Cook enlisted in April, 1861, as private in Company K, Twelfth Massachusetts Regiment. He was commissioned First Lieutenant, January 26, 1862; Captain, May 2, 1862; Major, July 23, 1863; and Lieutenant Colonel, May 6, 1864. The regiment, commanded by Colonel Fletcher Webster, left Boston July 24, and three days later was stationed on the Maryland side of the Potomac River, about a mile from Harper's Ferry. It participated in many of the leading battles of the war. On the skirmish line at Petersburg the Twelfth received orders "to drive the foe from their entrenchments on the railroad." Colonel Bates reported: "This was performed under Lieutenant Colonel Cook in gallant style, advancing so far that the remainder of the brigade thought they had been taken prisoners." In July, 1864, the regiment reached Boston with one hundred and seventy men. Colonel Cook commanded the regiment in several campaigns, principally with the Army of the Potomac, and was under fire more than sixty times. He has served as president of the regimental association, and he is the author of the interesting "History of the Twelfth Regiment," which was published in 1882. His wife aided him in collecting data for this volume, and served as his amanuensis.

Colonel Cook has been prominent in the affairs of Gloucester for many years, and has served three times as Mayor of the city. He represented Gloucester in the Legislature of Massachusetts for three years in succession. He is a member of Colonel Allen Post, G. A. R., and of other organizations.

Colonel and Mrs. Cook have had five children, three of whom&mdash;namely, Frank Howard (born in 1869), Edwin Friend (1875), and Fletcher Webster (1878)&mdash;died in infancy. The survivors are: Mary Franklin, born March 24, 1871, who married Professor Harrison Gray Otis Chase, of Tufts College; and Eva Lendall, born September 16, 1873, now teacher of Greek and Latin in the Taconic School, Lakeville, Conn.

Mrs. Cook has lived in Gloucester ever since her marriage, and is interested in all the good work of the city. She has been identified