Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family

Camp Mar. 27, '64
Dear All, I wish I was up in the third story talking to you instead of scribbling away herer. I dont feel a bit like writing but think I could hear a little talking to if I had climbed to your third story. Ellen's nice letter of 22d is recd. & I am so glad that you have settled upon your rooms for the summer, that they are so pleasant & at a reasonable rate. How many flights of stairs do you have to ascend to reach them. You will move the first of may I suppose. I think I remem- ber the house, it has a large square front & sits quite back from the road. Is it not at the corner of Temple & Chapel Sts & opposite Trinity Church? If I dont just here write about the shirts I shall surely forget it - they suit exactly neither large or small, in fact just right. I am wearing one now & I like it so well I dont like to change it. I shall try the other in a day or two. Had a good sermon from Chaplain Smith this morning - in one portion of the discourse he spoke particularly of the responsibility of Officers & of their examples. I do think Mr. Smith means to do his duty. Mrs. Smith & Mrs. Storrs are with their husbands & attended services this morning. I had not seen them since I left them in New York last Jany. writing of Mr Smith reminds me of the pledge that he circulated a while ago. I think I wrote that Alf. Godddard did not sign it. I was mistaken he did sign it afterwards. The pledge is to - abstain from liquor as a Beverage -. Capt. Hoyt has been tight several times since he signed - dont mention it but that's about what it will all amount to I suppose Alf. G. & my self at my suggestion are to abstain from the use of tobacco for a month. I am wrong we are not to smoke & in that [top margin third page] we get one or two New York papers a week. I saw two last week The sutler is to supply us hereafter every day he gets the best of me for he makes up for not smoking by chewing the more. I have taken raisins as my substitite & have dis- posed of two or three pounds but to day have used nothing. I feel perfectly lost without my pipe. I dont want you to send me a library, dont send more than two medium sized books any way. I dont care much what - poetry or prose. Fergeuson is in the Regt & I can borrow if I wish. Mail has just arrived. I have a - bundle - of papers from you (you swindle the P.O. Department unmercifully,) & one from Aunt Mary I think a Bulletin of the 19th, please thank Aunt Mary for remembering me. I have received one of the same date from you. I have been laughing heartily over the "Fun & Gab" clipping that you send - the man who "kept his word" from Noah Webster &c. Do write me about Ransom, whether he is bound for the rent for the coming year or no. How good that the 18th Offs are being exchanged Mrs Rockwell must be happy to have Joe within scolding distance again. Do remember me to any of them you meet. I have not seen Sam Merwin's or Cowles' name mentioned as yet, I hear that Ely told Mr. Chas Johnson just as the 18th was leaving Baltimore that what ever else might be true, the 18th would never be taken prisoners as a Regiment. If that is true the result is very striking. You know I don't love Ely much. I must close until after Dress Parade & supper. Since writing the above (its now 9 P.M.) my Co. has recd an addition of eight men - three recruits & five old men who were left at New Haven when the Regt sailed & have since been dropped as deserters. The aggregate of my Co is now 68 with 57 present. I could probably turn out for any duty at any time 55 men. I must tell one item about Alfred Goddard before I close. This morning he was shaving when I got up & had poured some hot water into the tumbler (we have but one) & with his brush & soap made his lather in that tumbler & thats about a fair sample of the man. You should see him at the table, nothing suits him, tells what they had at Hd. Qts & when he eats I assure you both knife & fork are busy, he shovels in & devours. I shall direct this to Norwich as you are to leave New Haven Wednesday & as uncle Geo's care lest it should be sent from the P.D. at N. to New Haven. [top margin first page] Do give my best love to every one in Norwich particularly Uncle Geo. & Aunt Mary. I am so sorry I could lot go on before I left the state. I am ashamed of this letter I have not said anything that I intended or as I intended Hope you will have a real good visit in Norwich How much you will miss Mrs Chas Johnson - do remember me to Mr. J. Love to all & good night Chas.