The diaries are composed of daily entries by Cook throughout his military service. Although usually only one or two sentences in length, the entries document his letter writing to his wife Esther, the movements of the troops, his personal activities, menus, and the deaths and illnesses of members of his company. The original diaries are in the possession of donor Dianne Gibbs. Only the typed transcripts were available for microfilming. They were transcribed by Cook's granddaughter, Irene M. Cook Stout.
