Augustine Cook, was a private in Capt. Beaty's Company which later became Co. H, 31^st Reg. Indiana Infantry.  Augustine enlisted Sept. 5, 1861 at Terre Haute, Indiana.  He was a 29 year old farmer, born in Greene Co., Indiana, 5 feet 9 inches tall with dark hair and eyes.  Except for a few bouts with sickness, which was very common, he was present on all company muster rolls.  He was accidentally wounded in the hand Jan. 4, 1863.  His military record doesn't state the nature of this wound.  Perhaps there is a pension file that will yield more information.  On Sept. 19, 1863 he was detailed as a nurse at the General Field Hospital at Bridgeport, Alabama.  He remained there as a nurse until he was mustered out Sept. 15, 1864 at Chattanooga, Tennessee.  As was customary, he received $100.00 bounty for completing his service.

After the war, Augustine moved his family to Wilson County, Kansas where he became active in the G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) a patriotic organization, composed of Union veterans of the Civil War. It was founded in Decatur, Illinois, in April 1866 for the commemoration of dead comrades and the practice of fraternity and mutual assistance.  The GAR instituted the observance of Memorial Day in 1868.  One of the things they are most remembered for is helping out the widows and orphans of Civil War soldiers.