Richmond Dispatch, 4 October 1902, pg. 1, col. 7

"That Confederate Negro
Name is Richard Cook; Sailor Under Captain Peter Smith.
Gloucester C.H., VA., October 3.--[Voter] Registration was completed in Ware District to-day. The results follow:
. . .
Tabb's Store precinct--. . . Colored . . . under soldiers' clause, 21. . .
One of the colored soldiers is Richard Cook, who stands about six feet two in his stocking feet. Dick registered on a certificate from Captain Peter Smith to the effect that he was regularly enlisted in the Confederate States navy. When the captain was ordered to another ship, he got Dick enlisted, in order to keep him as his servant. Dick says he was with Captain Smith when he blew up the gunboat on James river. He also claims that he was on the steamer that took Vice-President A. H. Stephens and others down Hampton Roads, to meet President Lincoln. Dick also claims that on the trip Major Allen wore his (Dick's) shoes, as the Major's feet were so swollen with gout that he could not wear his own shoes. Dick entertained the registrars for some time with stories of the war. He surrendered at Appomattox.
Two of the registrars are Confederate veterans."

According to Cook(e)'s Confederate pension records on file in the Library of Virginia he received his pension in recognition of his service aboard the CSS Torpedo.