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to his family

Writes about the activities of setting up the encampment and of the use of nearby farmhouses for shelter and food. Mentions that he is dreading the Dress Parade. Closes by saying he must form the regiment for church.

GLC03603.013

to his family

Describes the Dress Parade and writes that he believes his performance to have gone very well. The townspeople are very kind to the soldiers and have given them bread and apples. The field staff, including Coit, are staying in an empty house which...

GLC03603.014

to his family

Describes how much he enjoys the company and conversation of the other Field and Staff as they are "almost all educated men." Says he has not received any mail from home since leaving Hartford. Written from Camp Buckingham.

GLC03603.015

to his family

Comments on the skill and performance of different officers in his regiment, especially of the Lieutenant Colonel and the Major. Invites his family to come and see him in Dress Parade and says that he will be able to find them accommodations near the...

GLC03603.017

to his family

Tells his family about Professor Andrews, a family friend who had stayed at the Coit house last time he was in Norwich. Andrews is a professor at the female seminary college near the camp and invited Coit and the Captains of the regiment to his home...

GLC03603.018

to his family

Describes the presentation of the state banner by the Sons of Connecticut as "mushy." Also writes about coming to enjoy participating in the Dress Parades. Written from Camp Buckingham.

GLC03603.019

to his family

Writes of his Uncle William's visit to the camp. Also states that he does not know how long the regiment will stay at Camp Buckingham. Requests a "double gown" for sleeping.

GLC03603.020

to his family

Writes that word has gotten back to him about his family sharing his feelings about Colonel Cunningham and the Lieutenant Colonel. Demands to know how word of this got around. Tells his family about the construction of an underground stove in his...

GLC03603.026

to his family

Describes the construction of his tent and introduces his servant, Stanton. Also remarks on the return of his rubber blanket by the person he believes is the thief, Captain Ward's servant. Describes how he has supplied brandy and extract of ginger to...

GLC03603.027

to his family

Considers acquiring a camp stove with which to do his own cooking. Also writes about "shipping" Stanton and says he would rather have a colored waiter. Asks if "Daily" knows anything about cooking and, if so, if he can join Coit in Annapolis.

GLC03603.032

to his family

Writes about the good condition of his tent and its ability to keep him dry. Encloses a certificate that Daly will need to travel to Annapolis. One of the five pages is written on back of a letter from Colonel Thomas.

GLC03603.036

to his family

Writes that he is still awaiting the arrival of Daly. Mentions a new rule that dictates that the morning reports written by Coit and other Adjutants are to be handed in by 9 a.m. Describes this as a hard task that he believes will get easier with...

GLC03603.040

to his family

He writes primarily about the issue of having a servant. Daly did not come and will not be coming due to unknown, humorous circumstances. Asks if "Howard from Gordon's barber shop will come at $20 +food."

GLC03603.041

to his family

Still unsure about Daly's status and writes that he has been checking the station daily for him. Declares that the Major has given him a whole roasted chicken and about baking cakes with cornmeal and buckwheat. Says that General Foster spoke of...

GLC03603.042

to his family

Thanks his family immensely for the box of "goodies" they have sent him. Discusses both his and Stanton's illnesses and reports that he is forced to do all his chores himself as Stanton is not well. Writes that he hopes for a servant to be arranged...

GLC03603.045

to his family

Writes that the pay master has visited and that he is now acting as "A. Adjt. Genl." Complains about Stanton and gives more details about what he would like in a servant.

GLC03603.047

to his family

Writes that Mrs Dr. Perkins has visited him at the camp. Also mentions that he is trusting his family to judge the character of a prospective servant they have found for him in Norwich. Of the possible promotion he says, "Ellen must not expect me to...

GLC03603.050

to his family

Writes that Stanton has left and that he is receiving assistance from a soldier from Company D. Explains that he is traveling to another camp to teach the Adjutant there to write reports correctly.

GLC03603.052

to his family

Writes of the excellent service that Joseph B. Burlingame, the soldier from Company D, is providing. Says it may be possible to keep him as a servant even though he is a soldier. Has received a letter from William Tucker addressed to "CMC Adjt Genl...

GLC03603.053

to his family

Writes about the spacious tent that he and Lieutenant Colonel Andrew Terry have made by combining their tents. Also mentions trouble he is having with his horse and says he plans to sell his horse, "the Governor." Adds that he believes he is gaining...

GLC03603.061

to his family

Written on board the ship "H. J. Brookman." Describes the accommodations aboard the H. J. Brookman and the differences between the officer's accommodations and those of the enlisted men. Is still unsure about direction and where mail should be sent...

GLC03603.065

to his family

Written on board the ship "H. J. Brookman." Writes about the terrible crowding of the soldiers on the ship and compares the ship's packed condition to slave ships.

GLC03603.066

to his family

Written on board the ship "H. J. Brookman." Mentions still being anchored in the sound and finally receiving mail from home. Discusses what he is reading and how he wishes he had brought a book of poetry. Reports receiving a pair of stockings from...

GLC03603.069

to his family

Mentions the boredom and laziness of being aboard the ship. The men pass time between meals by playing checkers and reading. Writes that Captain Harland has shared that he believes General Burnside is attempting to join the division with another...

GLC03603.070

to his family

Responds to three letters he has received from his family all at once. Reports that he has been transferred to another ship where the field staff shares a cabin.

GLC03603.072

to his family

Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Believes that the 8th regiment and other regiments in the brigade will sail tomorrow. Gives details of life on the ship including the poor quality of the food, water and sanitation. Also mentions five rebel...

GLC03603.074

to his family

Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Provides more information about ship-board conditions including "bed bugs…large enough to carry knapsacks." Adds that his family should not speak about the poor conditions he describes as it might hurt...

GLC03603.075

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 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

Mentions the boredom of being on the ship again. Describes a passing ship giving news of Burnside being promoted to Major General and that Nashville has been taken as well as 8,000 prisoners. Written on board the ship "the Sentinal," at Roanoke...

GLC03603.084

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

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 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

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 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

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 leaving Newbern by train and waiting to board a steam ship that would take the troops to an unknown destination. Before the steam ship can depart, word comes from General Burnside of the capture of Richmond and negates the need for the...

GLC03603.119

to his family

Writes in response to a letter received from his family and requests mosquito netting.

GLC03603.126

to his family

Writes that his regiment set up camp and were promptly called to support batteries. Reports that he and Lieutenant Shepard ate dinner at a private house. They have been expecting to be called into battle for a few days and are able to see other...

GLC03603.143

to his family

Thanks his family for sending the handkerchief, towel and knife. Describes the behavior of Lieutenant Shepard who seems to be having a hard time adjusting to army life after recuperating from his wounds at home. Writes about what a good man...

GLC03603.180

to his family

Believes the winter campaign to be over. More men are allowed furloughs and there are plans to improve the camps. Hopes that arrangements will be made to have better mail service and that the sutlers will be supplied more efficiently.

GLC03603.187

to his family

Encloses of draft of a thank you letter to Miss Greene. Thanks her for the glass and says that he is sure that no one can possibly understand how much the soldiers appreciate remembrances of home. Expresses a commitment to "crush this wicked...

GLC03603.198

to his family

Writes that he has a wall tent to himself and gives directions for George to come for a visit.

GLC03603.199

to his family

Writes that George should bring a knife and fork with him on his visit. Mentions seeing Kate Lott of New London at the review. Says that he doesn't "think the army is any place for ladies to visit and I should prefer to have all my lady friends stay...

GLC03603.200

to Charles Morgan Coit

Lets his brother know that he anticipates arriving at Fort Monroe on Tuesday morning. Writes that he has stayed with their Uncle William in Brooklyn, New York.

GLC03603.202

to his mother and brother

Describes the smoothness of the New Jersey Railroad ride as a byproduct of the flat and uninteresting country. He is on his way to visit his brother, Charles, and suggests that his mother and sister follow suit. He describes attending a Union...

GLC03603.203

to his mother and sister

Describes the camp and goes into great detail about the Division Guard Mounting. Notes his feeling of pride at seeing the 8th Regiment's bullet-pierced flag and describes "Charlie's" daily duties.

GLC03603.205

to his mother and sister

Writes of meeting various Norwich acquaintances he has been seeing in the camp and attending church services.

GLC03603.206