William G. Cooke, celebrated in the annals of the Texan Revolution and of the Republic of Texas, was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia, March 26, 1808. He was the son of Adam and Martha (Riddell) Cooke, both of whom were natives of Ireland. His father, Adam Cooke (son of James Cooke), was born of English parents in Glasslough, Ireland. Adam Cooke had one brother, John, and three sisters, Rebecca, Isabella, and Jane. Rebecca married an Englishman, Hawley by name, and lived in Manchester, England. Isabella also married an Englishman, and lived in Bath. She and her daughter later came to Fredericksburg, Virginia, where they died. Her daughter married a Mr. Johnson from Maryland, and left a married daughter, Mrs. Susan Turner, who became a widow. Jane never married. John, Adam Cooke's brother, became the great grandfather of George Gordon, of San Antonio, Texas. One of the great grandfathers of Jane Oliver (who was the mother of Adam Cooke) was Robert Riddell, a Scottish earl. He was banished from Scotland, and all his property confiscated, for taking a prominent part in a rebellion in that country. He crossed over and settled in the north of Ireland. W. G. Cooke's mother, Martha Riddell, had two brothers, William and John, and a sister who married a Mr. Robertson. She had also three half-brothers, James, Robert, and Joseph, and one half-sister, Mary, who married an Englishman named Hamilton. William went to Fredericksburg, Virginia, during the War of 1812. With Dr. James Cooke, brother of W. G. Cooke, he joined a volunteer company from Fredericksburg, and after the war, enlisted in the United States Army, and died in the service, of fever, on Lake Erie. John Riddell became a surgeon in the English navy. He died of the fever at Rio Janeiro, on board the warship Huron. Both William and John Riddell died unmarried.
W. G. Cooke's grandfather, Riddell, became, after he went to Ireland, a linen manufacturer, and was the only one who had the King's authority for stamping all the linen manufactured with the seal of England; and, all linen made in the north of Ireland had to be brought to him to be stamped. 8 Adam and Martha (Riddell) Cooke were the parents of nine children, as follows: Jane Oliver, the oldest, died at sea on the voyage to America; James, educated for a physician, chemist, pharmacist, and dentist, at the University of Pennsylvania, died August 10, 1873, in Fredericksburg, Virginia, in his 78th year; Eliza, married C. P. James, died in Peoria, Illinois, January 8, 1880; Annie, died in her 26th year; William G., the subject of this sketch, born March 26, 1808; Robert, died in infancy; Jane; Martha Rebecca, born January 10, 1813, died November 22, 1893, at San Diego, California; and Mary Hamilton, born January 4, 1818, taught 45 years, died November 22, 1884.
Miss Martha Rebecca Cooke, writing to her nephew, Wm. N. Cooke, the son of W. G. Cooke, said, “I think our parents [Adam and Martha (Riddell) Cooke] came to this country in 1792.”
In 1835 W. G. Cooke, then a young man about twenty-seven years of age, came to Texas with a company from New Orleans, and took a very active part in the storming of San Antonio de Bexar, in December of the same year. For the particulars of his brilliant share in this movement the reader is referred to his letter to his brother, Dr. James Cooke, of Fredericksburg, Virginia, which is printed below. 9
Houston, 7th Augt., 1839.
Dear Brother: By the boat from the Columbia today, I had the pleasure to receive yours of the 16th ulto. I know of nothing in this world that can afford me more real pleasure than a letter from you. I acknowledge my fault. I have been very neglectful in answering your communications, but I have undertaken a very heavy duty which occupies all my time, and which, with the aid of providence, I am determined to accomplish. I have never given you a history of my campaign in Texas. I will now give you some few outlines, and, at some future day, will give you a full detail.
Early in Octo., 1835, the Texan Revolution commenced. Genl. Houston's proclamation calling for aid from the citizens of the United States reached N. Orleans about the 12th. 10 A meeting of those citizens friendly to the cause of Texas was called. Subscriptions to aid the cause were very freely made, &voluntters called on to give in their names. I saw that it was an opportunity for the enterprising to better their fortunes, and immediately stepped forward and enrolled my name. Saml. Pettus &Nathl. Brister from Virginia did the same. In four days we had the company completed. We sailed from New Orleans provided with four months provisions by the citizens of New Orleans. On our arrival at the Headquarters of the Army, which had been, for some time, encamped before the town of San Antonio and the Alamo. I was elected Captain of the Company. We found the Texian Army in a state of insubordination caused by frequent orders from the Commanding General to make a night attack on the town, which were often countermanded. On the day of the 3d of December, 1835, orders were issued Genl. Burleson (then commanding) for an attack on the town to take place at day-break. Our force was about 700 men, the enemy about 800. Immediate preparations were made; the men were all ready by twelve o'clock. About this time Maj. Morris reported to Genl. Burleson that one of the sentinels had observed a man pass from our camp to the Alamo and after a short conference with a sentinel on the walls had gained admittance. On this information, Genl. B. thought proper to countermand the attack. This created great dissatisfaction among the men, in consequence of which a general parade was ordered, and Genl. B., after giving Maj. Morris's statement as his reason for withdrawing the order for attack, formally resigned his command. Nearly all the field officers present did the same. Burleson then proposed a retreat to Goliad, and offered to continue his command until the arrival of the troops at that place. Immediate preparations for the retreat were commenced. The men commenced deserting in squads from ten to twenty. I saw that the citizens of the country had despaired of success and had given up the contest. There were three companies from the U. S.: 1st company from New Orleans, commanded by myself, consisting of 70 men; 2d comy. from N. O. under Capt. Breese, 50 men; &15 men under the command of Capt. Peacock from Missi. About four o'clock I took up the line of march, and on arriving opposite the Genls quarters was informed that a deserter (a Lieut.) from the enemy had come in &was then in conference with Burleson &others. I saw it was a favorable opportunity to prevent the retreat, &called on my men to know if they would follow where I would lead. Their answers was unanimous: “Yes.” I immediately faced them and marched them up and down the lines, calling on the men to fall in &take the town rather than retreat. Breese's and Peacock's compys. immediately joined me, &I succeeded in raising 300 men who were willing to undertake the attack. Many voices called on me to [take command], but Col. B. R. Milam, an old citizen &a brave &good officer b[eing present], I refused and proposed him. He was unanimously received. 11 I f[ear to make] this too long. I must curtail my account until I can give you a f[uller description.] The attack was made in two divisions: one under Col. Milam, [and one] under Col. Johnson. We entered the town on the morning of the fifth [fighting] continually until the 8th, with but little success. On the evening of [—, I] rec'd orders to hold my compy. in readiness for an attack on the Public [Plaza, which] was the most strongly [fortified] position of the enemy. About 11 o'c[lock I was] ordered to make the attack. My men were reduced by wounds to 37. [—] Capt. Patton's co. with himself was added. The moon was shining very [bright.] I led my men on. So soon as we got from under cover of the [illegible and torn] to the enemy occupied by our troops a heavy fire bearing from two direction[s was] opened by the enemy. Our guide led us to a place which we found impregnab[le.] The firing from port holes bearing directly on us was tremendous. We were completely cut off from retreat, &I saw the necessity of getting on the square from some point. I led my men within two feet of a line of port holes, (which we avoided, in a great measure, by stooping) to the priest's house, which was also strongly barricaded. We climbed up to a place which admitted one man at a time. As we got up we fired our rifles, and succeeded in driving off the men who occupied the house. On gaining admission, we rushed on the square, and found two six pounders planted within fifteen paces of the hole through which we entered. We attempted to spike them, but, by this time, the square was filled with troops, blowing the charge from twenty different quarters. I immediately called my men under cover, and commenced barricading. A very heavy fire was opened on us from artillery &infantry. We found in the priest's house about twenty women and children. These [were] placed in the safest part of the house. They, with two soldiers which we [made] prisoners, informed us that the enemy had been re-inforced about 4 hours before [the a]ttack with 700 men under Col. Ugartachea. I thought that our [case] was hopeless. We were completely cut off from re-inforcements, and I [determ]ined to sell our lives as dearly as possible. My men were all of the same [determination.] The firing continued during the whole night without intermission. I had [all] my men ready in case they should break thro' our barricades, to at least tell [sell?] [man] for man, when just at day-break, their trumpets sounded a parley, &we observed a [wh]ite flag approaching. I jumped over the barricade and received it &then [took i]t back to the commanding officer. If I were to continue this account, I would consume half a [do]zen sheets. I must therefore leave it for other opportunities.
In relation to the Surveyorship I was almost certain that Philips would get it. They have been long trying for it. . . . In regard to politics I have nothing to say. I am attached to the Military, and am obliged to obey my rulers without murmur. A visit this fall will be impossible. My duties are of such a nature as to prevent it, besides, there is a probability of an unfriendly visit from our Meixcan neighbors, and I would like to salute my old acquaintances once more. My health is exceedingly good. I never enjoyed better. . . .
Yours affectionately, Wm. G. Cooke.
In the year following the siege of San Antonio the battle of San Jacinto was fought, (April 21, 1836). It will be remembered that Gen. Sam Houston was wounded in the ankle during that sanguinary struggle, and that he repaired soon afterwards to New Orleans for medical treatment. The following letter will show the respect and confidence reposed in young Cooke by his commander-in-chief:
Natchitoches, (La) 17th June, 1836.
Dear Father: I wrote you hastily from New Orleans, stating my intention of visiting you in a few weeks, but, at the request of Genl. Houston, I am induced to remain with him until he recovers from his wound, which, I hope, will be in the course of a few weeks. I left N. O. in company with the Gen'l. on the 6th ins. for Nacogdoches, (Texas), and arrived at this place last evening. I met with Robt. Mackay, Wm. Dunbar, &Doct. J. Herndon (formerly of Fred.g) at Alexandria, a very flourishing town on this river. They are all doing well. R. M. has an apothecary store combined with a book establishment. He states that his business is very good, and I have no doubt he will succeed. The papers have, ere this, given you a full account of our last victory over St. Anna. The last intelligence from Texas states that the enemy have all left the country. I think it will be their last effort to subdue it. I shall continue to write to you from Nacogdoches, as often as possible, and should like very much to hear from you frequently. When you write, address to Major Wm. G. Cooke, Texas Army, care of Gen'l. Sam Houston, Nacogdoches. Give my love to all my relations and friends, and believe me to be truly
Yr. affectionate son, Wm. G. Cooke.
Major Cooke soon resigned from the army, and received a civil appointment, but by September 27, 1837, he had engaged in the drug business with L. H. Bancroft, formerly of Richmond, Virginia. He had at that time just returned from New Orleans where he had suffered a severe attack of yellow fever, which, he claimed, had proven beneficial to his general health as it had completely rid him of a case of scurvy. 12
In the foregoing letter, to his brother, Cooke says that he is “attached to the Military.” It would appear then that he had re-entered the service before August, 1839.
His commission as quarter master general, from the Republic of Texas, is dated January 13, 1840, but the appointee was to rank as such officer from the 25th of October, 1839. The commission is signed by President Mirabeau B. Lamar and A. Sidney Johnston, Secretary of War. His commission as Colonel of the First Regiment of Infantry in the Texas Army is signed by David G. Burnet, President of the Republic of Texas, 13 and by B. T. Archer, Secretary of War and Navy. It is dated March 2nd, 1841, but was to be effective from August 18, 1840. 14
The following letter from Gen. Hugh McLeod is self-explanatory. Let the reader also note the unique post-script from Cooke's friend, “Luckett.”
Special Order No. 346. ADJUTANT &INSP. GENLS. OFFICE,
Austin, Novr. 25th, 1840. Col. Wm. G. Cooke, Comdg. 1st Infantry,
On the Military Road.
Sir: Information having reached the Dept. thro' the Tonkeway Indians, and believed by corresponding circumstance, that the hostile Indians are embodied on the Upper Brazos, and contemplate a descent upon the settlements, you will take such a portion of your command as you may think necessary and attack their camp, and, if possible, destroy them.
Lieut-Col. Clendennin is ordered to report to you with the effective force of his detachment and twelve Tonkeway warriors, who will aid you as spies and conduct you to the hostile encampment.
By order of The Secty. of War. H. McLeod, Adjutant &Inspr Genl. P. S. Congress has just refused an appropriation to march Howard's force from San Antonio to attack the village above. Felix wants to go &do it, but I don't think he can succeed. We have heard horrible accounts from Lt. Ratcliffe of your cannibalism, eating mules, &c, not so much eating a mule, but the poverty of the beast. “Here's a health to thee, Tom Moore.” All well &send love. Yrs. truly, H. Mc.
“And a double health to thee “Col. Coo—k I'me well sure having just returned from La Grange with Todd, he was acquitted. I send you some late papers.
Yr. friend, Luckett. We have enough from the States to say that Genl. Harrison has beat Little Van B. worse than Old Jackson ever beat anybody. L.
In 1841 the ill-advised, ill-regulated, ill-conducted, and ill-fated Santa Fé Expedition set out on its dangerous journey across the plains and Indian-infested country to the west. For a minute and graphic account of this expedition and the mal-treatment of its members, the curious reader is referred to Kendall's lively little little volumes. 15 The expedition was authorized and set on its feet by President Mirabeau B. Lamar, who was then anxious to extend the laws of Texas to the utmost verge of the domain claimed by his country, namely on the west to the Rio Grande. The military part of the expedition went out under the command of Gen. Hugh McLeod who had six captains under him, viz.: “Old Paint” Caldwell, Sutton, Houghton, Hudson, Strain, and Lewis. There was also a civil branch of the expedition, and commissioners were sent along to confer with the New Mexican authorities as to the advisability of throwing off the Mexican yoke and coming under the laws of the Republic of Texas. Col. Cooke, Dr. R. F. Brenham, and José Antonio Navarro were the commissioners.
Miseries came thick and fast before, and especially after, reaching the confines of New Mexico. Unfortunates who had escaped death on the alkaline plains of West Texas by starvation and at the hands of blood-thirsty Indians, met death at the hands of the brutal governor and military tyrant of New Mexico, Armijo, or were marched overland to Mexico, where, loaded with chains, they were incarcerated in vilest dungeons. Cooke and Navarro did not escape the latter indignity. Navarro, though a Mexican himself, was an especial target for the poisoned shafts of malice thrown by the Mexicans. He was the only member of the expedition still a prisoner at the time Kendall wrote his Narrative. 16 (See Vol. 1, page 72, footnote.)
On June 16, 1842, all the Texan prisoners of the Santa Fé Expedition were released, except Mr. Navarro. 17 After Col. Cooke was released he remained a few days in the City of Mexico at Gen. Thompson's house, but he soon returned to Texas, and married Miss Angela Navarro, daughter of Don Lucio Navarro, a brother of Don José Antonio Navarro.
Col. Cooke's commission as Adjutant General of Militia, from the State of Texas, is signed by Gov. J. Pinckney Henderson, “Commander-in-chief of the Army, Navy, and the Militia thereof,” and by David G. Burnet, Secretary of State. It bears date, April 27th, 1846.
But the gallant and battle-tried soldier did not wear his new honor long. He died on December 24, 1847; he was buried at Seguin. He left one child—a son—then about a year old, William Navarro Cooke, who now lives at Eagle Pass, Texas. A prosperous county of Texas bears the family name.
Col. Cooke's widow afterward married a Mr. Martin, and became the mother of the learned lawyer, Judge I. L. Martin, of Uvalde, Texas. She died at Brackett, September 22, 1880.
9. The original letter, old, time-worn, and in places torn, is now in the possession of his son, ex-Sheriff Wm. N. Cooke, Eagle Pass, Texas. I have endeavored to supply the missing words and parts of words. I have been told by Mr. Cooke that some years ago, at the request of Col. H. P. Brewster of the Department of Statistics and History, Austin, Texas, he sent him his father's most valuable papers, and that he has later been informed that they are lost. These papers, if they could be found, would, very probably, cast further light on Texas history. Could they not yet be located?
10. As commander-in-chief of the Department of Nacogdoches Houston issued a proclamation on October 8 (see Brown, History of Texas, I 365), but it may be doubted whether this occasioned the meeting here referred to. The meeting which was held in New Orleans, October 13, 1835, seems to have been occasioned by general reports which had reached there on conditions in Texas. Later, on October 26, the permanent, or general, council issued a proclamation to the citizens of the United States, calling for aid. This is signed by R. R. Royall, president of the council. A copy may be found in The Quarterly, VII, 271, note.—E. C. B.
11. Colonel F. W. Johnson in his official report of the storming of Bexar, dated December 11, 1835, gives a somewhat different account of this affair. See Brown, A History of Texas, I 417-21.—E. C. B.
12. W. G. Cooke to Dr. James Cooke, dated “Houston 27th Septem., 1837,” now in the possession of W. N. Cooke, Esq., Eagle Pass, Texas.
13. Burnet was vice-president, but this commission may have been signed by him while acting president during the absence of President Lamar.—E. C. B.
14. The original commissions of Col. Cooke, referred to in this article are in the possession of his son, W. N. Cooke.
15. Narrative of an Expedition across the great Southwestern Prairies from Texas to Santa Fé, etc. By George W. Kendall. In two volumes. London, 1845.
16. The prisoners were confined in various prisons, Santiago, Acordada, San Lazaro, Puebla, and Perote. Kendall was for a while confined in the loathsome lepers' prison (or hospital) of San Lazaro. For a description of San Lazaro and its inmates at this time see Kendall, The Santa Fé Expedition, etc., II 239.
17. From a letter dated “Washington [Texas], 15th. Decem., 1844,” from Cooke to his wife, the following is taken: “In regard to our dear uncle, Don J. Antonio Navarro, everything has been done to effect his release that can possibly be conceived of, and a large appropriation of money has been made to support him and render his situation more comfortable until that [his release] takes place.”
How to cite:
Warren, Harry, "COL. WILLIAM G. COOKE ", Volume 009, Number 3, Southwestern Historical Quarterly Online, Page 210 - 219. http://www.tsha.utexas.edu/publications/journals/shq/online/v009/n3/article_3.html
[Accessed Tue Dec 2 18:19:17 CST 2008]
