Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.131 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Acquia Creek, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 August 1862 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Describes the passage, by boat, to Acquia Creek from Newport News. Also writes that the officers plan to erect a monument to Dr. Lathrop and that he will consult with the doctor's widow to see what she would like done. Makes reference to a monument being erected for his father in the past.
Acquia Creek, Va. Augt 4, '62 Dear All, Embarked Saturday night by moonlight & set sail from Newport News about noon Sunday, in the steamer Columbia & have just here this noon. Rather an unpleasant passage we have been so exceedingly crowded. We see trains of cars load- ing on the dock & going off - I presume to Fredericksburg. our turn will come soon. I much prefer this to going up the James River. In fact I am much pleased with the change. We - the officers - had a meeting this morning & passed recollections on the death of Charlie Breed & also appointed me treasurer with two capts to assist me in collecting & disposing of the money for Dr. Lathrop's monument. I hate the job. Shall have to write to Mrs. Lathrop, Mr. Arms or somebody & I dont know how to do it. I shall take take warning by our experience in father's monument when the gentleman proposed raising one & I shall refer the plans &c entirely to Mrs. L. or her executor. I told the officers as much so I shall probably forward the money (I have $260 collected) to Mrs. L. or some one else simply requesting the privelege of adding an inscription. Am not I right in this? & it will save me much trouble & correspondence Direct all letters to me Burnside's 9th Army corps, via Washington D.C. I think this will be best. Lt. Shepard is complaining to day but I sometimes think he makes a great fuss about nothing. Went to Ft. Monroe Saturday Afternoon & sent you $100. by Express & also a box. I did not pay the freight on the box. when I got back to camp at 7 P.M. I found every thing packed up I think Lt. Eaton was a little cracked to pack my things as he did. I had packed all that I could very well before starting for the Fortress & had left out some things that I could have packed just as I wanted in a very few moments if I had been present. My trunk was little more than half full so they put all my things into a company box where I cant get at them until we get into camp again & there is no telling when that will be. Then they left out several things to be carried that I intended to pack. They threw away or packed in Co box my dried beef & a nice calf's tongue that Lt. wait gave me which I had left out for my rations for three days. Some crackers they packed also & my tin cup &c but I managed to get ashore Sunday morning & received my stock so I am all right now, tho' rather provoked that my things were so managed in my absence Lt. Shepard says Lt. Eaton acted as some men do at fires, carry the fire wood & the like carefully down stairs & throw all the glasses out of the window. All this of course is "sub rosa" I dont know when I can send this letter but will as soon as have opprty.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.