Well, mystery somewhat solved. In looking at the pic in various light and with a magnifying glass it turns out that it is not John S. Cook.... it is John L. Cook. Next I found John L. Cook in the roster for the 21rst Regiment, Company G, Massachussets. Clincher is that he mustered in as a musician and out as a Principle Musician. No doubt this is the right guy. Still the question exists how is he tied to my family? So I searched the same roster for a name I might recognise and got a surprise. My last name is Laws. There on the roster appears Samuel N. Laws, 21rst Reg. Co. G. Guess what? Samuel mustered in as a musician too, and out as a Principle Musician as well. The two obviously had to have known each other while searving and I bet they enlisted together. The N. in Samuel's name is interesting too as my father's first name was Newton. I was raised by my grandmother, on my mother's side, from birth and just assumed the pic was tied directly to her. Now I just need to see if Samuel is actualy a decendant of mine. One heck of a coincedence if he's not wouldn't you say? I know my dad's grandfather, and I think his grandfather's brother's, were raised by other families and I'm wondering if one might have been named cook. At the least I'm betting Samuel Laws and John Cook were friends. Don't have the whole story yet but I'm sure getting there. :)

You can see the pic here;

http://www.go2gbo.com/forums/index.php?topic=239194.msg1099363559#new