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to his family
February 20, 1862
Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878
Describes the regiment setting up camp on the island. Also mentions becoming ill and staying with a family.
GLC03603.079
3 March 1862
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
9 March 1862
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
4 April 1862
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
26 April 1862
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
8 May 1862
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
13 May 1862
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
14 May 1862
Writes about the troubles involved in sleeping in a tent and of his ill luck with receiving boxes sent by his family.
GLC03603.106
28 June 1862
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
5 July 1862
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
23 July 1862
Writes in response to a letter received from his family and requests mosquito netting.
GLC03603.126
13 September 1862
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
9 January 1863
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
February 1, 1863
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
February 25, 1863
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
2 March 1863
Writes that he has a wall tent to himself and gives directions for George to come for a visit.
GLC03603.199
4 March 1863
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
7 March 1863
Coit, George O., fl. 1863
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
9 March 1863
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
Writes of meeting various Norwich acquaintances he has been seeing in the camp and attending church services.
GLC03603.206
11 March 1863
Describes camp life and goes into detail about the meals that he has eaten. Remarks on the good spirits of the men in the camp and says that Captian Hoyt has offered to lend Charles and George horses so that they can ride to all the different camps.
GLC03603.207
March 29, 1863
Responds to questions from his family about fixtures in their rental properties. Expresses interest in the results of the election and requests that a chess set be sent to him via one of the Norwich men who are home on furlough. Writes that he has...
GLC03603.217
March 30, 1863
Writes that the enemy is surrounding Suffolk and "The cannon[s] are cannons are booming away at short intervals," though they have not been attacked yet. Notes that one of the pickets from his Regiment was attacked a few days ago. His brigade has...
GLC03603.218
2 April 1863
Writes that he is in command of a picket of 50 men. He does not believe there is any reason to be afraid of attack as they have been withdrawing their forces during the day.
GLC03603.219
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