Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.298 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 July 1864 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Writes about being on duty as Officer of the Day and preparing for an attack that never occurred. "Isn't it grand that Alabama has at last gone under and in actual combat." Notes that the army is pleased by the news of the Rebel troops moving North. Requests more pencils and reports about the weather
Camp July 9, '64 1 P.M.
Dear All,
I came back from the front about 10 A.M. & now sit in my tent in Army undress - shirt & drawers - writing to the dear ones. I was on duty as officer of the Day for the Division, yesterday & relieved at 9 this A.M. & as I had had about twenty four hours constant work I thought I could not do better than to return to camp & have a few hours rest. I shall go out to the Regiment this afternoon. Yesterday I reported to the corps off of the Day at 9 A.M. & received my instructions for the day & had two mounted orderlies assigned to me and from that time until relieved this morning I was almost constantly moving either on foot or on horse back. Although I was about tired out when relieved yet for a change from lying so still in the rifle pits the constant moving of yesterday was rather a relief. It will do very well for once but I am happy the details
for this duty do not come very often for the work if yesterday was a fair sample is very severe. I expected to get a good portion of the night for sleeping but during the evening I found that the Pickets of the Division had not been properly posted & I had to go out & correct that line which occupied a couple of hours & soon after this Genl Stannard sent for me to report the his Head Qts. & I had to foot it down there. Genl s. showed me a note that he had just recd from Genl Smith to the effect that the Rebs were moving troops from the right of their line towards their left, that is towards the front of our Division, & that he Genl smith thought it probable that our line would be attacked. Of course after that I had keep round & see that every thing on the Division line was right, put some additional videttes &c and all that involved a liberal use of shoe leather & perspiration. The attack did not come off & I think it was stupidity on the part of some officer that caused the whole alarm. My Pickets reported the same movement or rather vice versa, from left to right & I decided immediately from the manner of the movement that the Rebs were relieving their line nothing more & I did not even think it worthy of reporting to Genl Stannard. when I reported to the corps off. of the Day at sunrise this A.M. I mentioned the fact & expressed my opinion & I was pleased to find that he agreed with me & he also said that he presumed that that was the movement that had caused the alarm. I think nothing would please our Generals better than to be attacked for the enemy could not carry our line & we should punish then severely. Isn't it grand that the Alabamba has at last gone under & - in actual combat - - I think that's the best part in the whole. This army is rather pleased at the report of Rebs moving North. I can't but believe that the - damage - caused by the Raid will be to individuals rather than to the Nation & I believe theirs (Rebs) will be heavier than ours.
Our mail has probably been distributed in the trenches this morning since I left or I hope I should now be answering one of yours. I think I must find one for me when I go up this P.M. No news - we know nothing here - I bought a Times of the 7th this A.M. & shall read it pretty soon & find out if there is any thing wonderful transpiring in Grant's Army. I do not think we shall join the 9th corps think it is finally decided. Please send me a box of pencil leads I had two boxes in my trunk - in the writing case I think. I hope you all survive these terribly hot days. We suffer here a god deal in the pits but I think I was never more healthy in my life. I hope to be thankful for this greatest blessing. Has Geo. gone to Pomfret yet. Hope Ellen does not suffer this summer as she used to in Norwich. Hope the little salt air that N.H. affords will be good for her. I dont feel stiff enough to try another shirt. Love to all Affct son & bro Chas
[top margin first page] we now stay at the front four days & so have two days in camp every six. The Regt will be relieved this time Monday night. So we
shall have our Sabbath in the Pits.
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