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 #: GLC03603.224 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Near Suffolk, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 April 1863 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Notes that he is located "3 miles below Suffolk, on the opposite side of the Nansemond River from the Rebs." Writes of a confusion which resulted in Lieutenant Foss being discharged for not reporting on time and that he will miss Sam (Foss) who he describes as an affectionate soldier who was just as against drinking as Coit was. Remarks about his anger that the 8th Regiment does not get due credit in newspaper stories about the battles.
Somewhere about 3 miles below Suffolk, on the opposite side the Nansemond River from the Rebs. Friday April 17, P.M.
Dear All, Lieut. Foss has been discharged the service & I suppose he will be leaving soon for old Norwich so I write a line to send by him. In place of writing about our present position & prospects perhaps I better intro- duce him & let him relate the news. Foss was lately promoted. He had been on detached service in No. Carolina & came on to join the Regt. at Newport News in company with col. ward. You remember the Regt moved from Falmouth during col. ward's absence and the col. & Foss when returning went to Washington to ascertain the where abouts of the Regt. Col W. & Foss traveled on a pass made out for both which the col. carried. While in Washington Foss was picked up by the Provost Guard & he told the Guard that the Coln had his pass & the commander of the Guard ordered him to report to the Provost Marshall at 10 A.M. the next day to prove his story. They were to leave Washington at 8 A.M. that day to report to the Regt. so the Coln advised Foss to pay no attention to the order but go on with him & he did so. This morning he received an order discharging him from the service for not reporting as ordered. Foss was certainly entirely in the wrong in not reporting as ordered & cannot complain that he is discharged but under like circumstances I think nine out of ten officers in the service would have disobeyed in like manner & I can- not blame col. ward more than I do Sam. what I have written about the pass may not be exactly correct but it is as I understand it. -I have not heard Sam's story-. There is hardly an officer in the Regt that I should miss more than Sam. He has been in the habit of sitting in my tent with me lately & though you will perceive he is rather foppishly
inclined I have become quite attached to him & respect him. He is very affectionate (rather an unusual quality for an army officer) & one of the few who -feel- as I do about whiskey drinking & such things. He is a fellow of real good principles & on that account at least a loss to the service even tho' he is rather inexperienced just now after his long absence. He is a general favorite throughout the Regt. & I do hope he will be reinstated or if unsuccessful in that I hope the Governor will reappoint him. I think he will feel the discharge very hard. I saw a Herald of the 15th this morning with an account of the Rebel (sham) attack on this place, it provoked me greatly. If the 8th does any thing some other Regt gets the praise. In this case, Col. Spear & his cavalry conducted disgracefully & instead of assisting the 8th's pickets they galloped into town & left Capt. Smith with less than 50 men to stay the whole Rebel advance & that they did until they were relieved the next (Sunday) morning. some of the cavalry men came to our Regt Saturday after the alarm while we were drawn up in battle array & told us how our boys were behaving & we were so proud of them. The cavalry did not know whether our boys were -fools- or not but they all acknowledged that they -were not afraid- we are all getting pretty much provoked at this "Attack on Suffolk". No one but Genl Peck believes the enemy have any considerable force while we have a very good number, have been largely reinforced & many more expected tomorrow. It's a grand scare. Friday evening I have not seen Saml Foss since he recd the order discharging him but col. ward says he will probably go to Washington & try to get reinstated & not go home so I send this by a "nigger" to be posted. very best love. Dont think of me as in danger. Recd Bulletin this A.M. Your affct son & bro Chas Dont know as you can read this my writing desk is my boot leg.
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.