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to his family

The first part of this letter (5 February) is written while still onboard the Sentinel while the second part (8 February) is written after the Battle of Roanoke. Reports that the 8th Regiment sustained no loses. Coit was not very engaged in this...

GLC03603.076

to his family

Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Declares that his family need no longer fear for him as his regiment will be staying on Roanoke Island while other regiments move on.

GLC03603.077

to his family

Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Comments that there are so many rumors about the battle that he would be glad to receive General Burnside's report when it appears in the newspaper. Gives more details about the battle and says "it was rather...

GLC03603.078

to his family

Describes the regiment setting up camp on the island. Also mentions becoming ill and staying with a family.

GLC03603.079

to his family

Responds to 5 letters he has received from his family and reacts to news about his Uncle George's illness. Writes about taking a soldier from another company as his orderly until he is fully recovered. Mentions promotions within the regiment and...

GLC03603.080

to his family

Responds to a letter received from home inquiring about his housing situation and the layout of the island. Also discredits accounts of the battle that his family has picked up, such as the rumor that Colonel Russell, one of the men killed in the...

GLC03603.081

to his family

Provides more details about the battle in an effort to answer some of his family's questions. Writes that the regiment is preparing to leave Roanoke Island and that the Governor survived the passage by ship and the battle.

GLC03603.082

to his family

Writes of the construction of three batteries around Fort Macon for use during the attack on the Fort. Complains about faulty news coverage of the battles. Gives news of the death of Dr. Lathrop, one of the Division doctors. Tells of Major Appelman...

GLC03603.097

to his family

Writes that he will attempt to take a furlong at the end of the month. Makes reference to staying at Miss S. G. C.'s house during his time off. Thanks his family for the photograph of his brother ("the young man in the Insurance Company"). Also...

GLC03603.114

to his family

Writes about new orders to leave Roanoke Island completely in the morning. While Coit is unsure of where they are headed, he has heard that they will not be fighting soon.

GLC03603.083

to his family

Reports that Captain Upham is in critical condition after being shot in the battle. Explains that the surgeons were unable to extract the musket ball. Of his performance he writes "I know no one will say that I behaved cowardly in the least." Also...

GLC03603.087

to his family

Describes the circumstances under which Mr. Woolley, Captain Uphan, and Lieutenant Ives have resigned or otherwise left the service. Also critiques reporters' accounts of the battle and attempts to describe the battle more clearly for his family...

GLC03603.088

to his family

Writes a brief note on the back of a hand-written report. Reports that they have yet to leave for Beaufort but that they are expected to march 35-40 miles.

GLC03603.089

to his family

Describes boarding "the Sentinel" and rowing to Newbern [North Carolina] to eat dinner at a hotel. Gives the death toll of the last battle as two dead and four wounded.

GLC03603.090

to his family

Writes of the trip from Newbern, up Slocum's Creek to Carolina (most likely North Carolina). Describes conditions of the camps and on the march. Also thanks his family for the maps they have sent him. Written from "Carolina City."

GLC03603.091

to his family

Criticizes McClellan and gives his opinion on the Union military strategy employed in the war. Writes of having a new horse which came to him with musket ball wounds. Mentions that it is his birthday and he had not realized it until dating the letter...

GLC03603.092

to his family

Writes of his promotion to Captain of Company B. Mentions that his new title reminds him of "another Captain Coit" (perhaps his father or another relative). The promotion means he gets his own quarters and he says he will miss bunking with the Field...

GLC03603.093

to his family

Writes about detailing an orderly to help him with his paperwork. Instead of helping, the orderly left names off of the roll call and spilled two bottles of ink. Written from "Carolina City," most likely in North Carolina.

GLC03603.094

to his family

Discusses feeling very ill and being treated with quinine pills which seemed to make his fever worse. Also writes of having to fire his servant, Charles, because of drunkenness and various brushes with trouble.

GLC03603.095

to his family

Responds to his mother's concerns expressed in a previous letter. She had written that "Rev. Mr. Hall" had reported to her that Coit was looking very thin through the face. Coit responds by saying he has never seen or met Hall and that his mother...

GLC03603.096

to his family

Responds to news from home by saying that one of his family's boarders should be kicked out. Further says that the boarder's sons are despicable soldiers and write home with lies that are then transmitted to his family. Complains of body lice and...

GLC03603.098

to his family

Writes with instructions on where to send his new trunk. Also complains that a box he was expecting is most likely being enjoyed by another regiment and is unlikely to reach him.

GLC03603.099

to his family

The letter begins "Fort Macon is ours." Writes of the rebel troops manning the fort raising the white flag and surrendering. Believes that the 8th Regiment should be allowed to raise their flag over the conquered fort as it was rightfully their...

GLC03603.100

to his family

Writes of his regiment being ordered back to Newbern as soon as transportation can be arrived. Looks forward to going to a city and being able to read about the battle in a newspaper.

GLC03603.101

to his family

Thanks his family for the package and mentions getting a prayer book, a bag of tea, sardines, gumdrops and a set of brushes and combs. Written "South of Newbern," likely in North Carolina.

GLC03603.102

to his family

Writes of setting up new tents and using boards from the "Rebel fort" as a floor. Says that the 8th Regiment was ordered to Newbern to recruit. Complains about the lack of good and accurate press regarding the 8th Regiment and says that they have...

GLC03603.103

to his family

Writes that he needs to study his "Tactics" because he makes blunders while drilling his Division. Written "Near Newbern," in North Carolina.

GLC03603.104

to his family

Writes that he is showing his new servant, "Napoleon," how to make baked beans with molasses. Discusses the difficulties he is having with his new position, particularly the Battalion drills. Written from "Camp on the Neuse."

GLC03603.105

to his family

Writes about the troubles involved in sleeping in a tent and of his ill luck with receiving boxes sent by his family.

GLC03603.106

to his family

Writes of receiving a compliment from the Colonel and the Major regarding the condition of his Company during an inspection of the camp. Company B was not used to receiving compliments and Coit writes that the men "were exceedingly pleased" and that...

GLC03603.107

to his family

Writes about his servant, formerly an enslaved man, selling his old horse, The Governor, for $100, of another officer having "the piles" which is apparently common among the men and that he is the one who is to seize the liquor sent to soldiers in...

GLC03603.108

to his family

Writes of some men from his company bringing him pints of blackberries that they had picked. Also writes about the task of confiscating liquor from the boxes which were sent to the men. His thoughts on this responsibility illustrate his ideas about...

GLC03603.109

to his family

Writes in defense of Dr. Storrs, the new Company doctor. Explains that many dislike him because he does not take time enquiring about their feelings but rather works from an intuitive doctor's sense. He also inspects sanitary conditions in the camp...

GLC03603.110

to his family

Writes that he has sent $250 home.

GLC03603.111

to his family

Writes that he is to report to the jail for Court Martial duty. Is resistant to go because he does not know anyone he will be serving with. Writes that though he is supposed to be relieved of his duty to his Company during this time, he does not...

GLC03603.112

to his family

Writes of the officers confronting the Chaplain with his nosy behavior. They report that he is writing home with detrimental news of the regiment.

GLC03603.113

to his family

Writes that he hopes to have a tailor in the company make his a coat if his family will send fabric. Is also excited that his company plans to raise up a band.

GLC03603.115

to his family

Tells of Colonel Harland being asked to command a Brigade consisting of the 8th, 11th of Connecticut and 4th of Rhode Island regiments making him a Colonel Commanding with the powers of a Brigadier. Coit is very sad as Harland will have his offices...

GLC03603.116

to his family

Writes of having command to the picket of his brigade. The brigade is 20 miles from Richmond and Coit writes of his uncertainty of the mission's plan. Also mentions hoping to be involved in the capture of Richmond. The Division has been reassigned...

GLC03603.117

to his family

Writes that all of the previous orders have been changed and that they are departing on a new mission the next morning.

GLC03603.118

to Grier Maitland [incomplete]

Incomplete letter. Appears to be written to his brother, Grier Maitland. Discusses the burning of Richmond. Comments "...I think it was perfectly right to burn it, as almost all the men of the town are in the Rebel army."

GLC03523.10.244

to Joseph Maitland [incomplete]

Incomplete letter. Appears to be written by Grier Maitland to his brother Joseph, but signature is illegible. Discusses weather and crops.

GLC03523.10.245

to Maitland Family [incomplete]

Incomplete letter. Appears to be written to the Maitland family from a cousin. Discusses her brothers rank and pay in the Union army. Says she is worried her brother may not return from the war but "...if they should happen to fall it is in a good...

GLC03523.10.246

to Joseph Maitland [incomplete]

Written to Joseph M. Maitland from cousin Kate Cherry. Expects to come down with the measles soon. Reports she will reluctantly begin training as a school teacher as it "...is the only way at present to obtain any money." Says she will board in a...

GLC03523.10.247

Dear Cousin Joseph

Letter from cousin Liddie. Mentions rainy weather. Gives news of recent marriages and relationships. "Eliza Chamberlain has more suitors than true lovers, she can take a buggy ride anytime if any young man or married man comes anytime in the night."...

GLC03523.10.251

to [Joseph M. Maitland]

Informs of mother's injury to her hand while opening a jar. Says mother wants him to come home. Reports the Baptist church now has a singing school and most of the neighborhood has joined. Tells him he will start school next week. Mentions he sold...

GLC03523.10.253

to unknown

Reports weather conditions are good for making molasses and sugar. Informs him of the activities of neighbors and friends. Letter is a fragment.

GLC03523.10.255

to My Dear Son

Says Joseph is complaining about the harvest. Reports all the hay is done and the corn looks good. Informs there will be a festival at the church and people are very excited about it. Begs him not to study too much and to exercise to keep his health.

GLC03523.10.256

to unknown

Reports what he knows about the promotion that just occurred and why Elhanan did not get it. Asks him to keep the information private. Discusses the crops. Says he sold eleven acres of land. Comments that some neighbors "...are down on the war and...

GLC03523.10.257

to Cousin Joe

Gives an accounting of crop prices, says they are all very low and business is not good. Reports there were 1300 hogs sold in his county in four days. Informs he is teaching a class of fifty-eight students in his home. Discusses many friends and...

GLC03523.10.258