29 June 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 from the 9th A.C. to the 7th A.C.

GLC03603.117

1 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

5 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 intended mission. The regiment is ordered back to Morehead City and Coit believes the next step is to head for James River. Mentions a quiet Fourth of July passed by staying in an abandoned barn with the regiment.

GLC03603.119

7 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of the trip to Fort Monroe by boat. There are speculations as to their destination but Coit believes they are being sent as reinforcements to General McClellan. Writes, "I shall go into battle confident that God will again show forth his great mercy towards us all and will in answer to prayer spare my life." Written on board the ship "the Guide" off the Virginia Coast.

GLC03603.120

8 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes, "I have no doubt that Richmond will be ours within a week." False news of a defeat of McClellan's Brigade had reached the regiment only to be replaced with news of a victory. The 8th regiment is to join McClellan's Brigade once other regiments meet up near Fort Monroe. Written on board the ship "the Guide" near Fortress Monroe.

GLC03603.121

9 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Mentions waiting to join McClellan's troops and discusses the massive amount of weaponry housed at Fort Monroe. Provides news of the other men from Norwich. Written "On ship at Ft. Monroe."

GLC03603.122

12 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes a brief letter about not understanding why the regiment is camped in Newport News.

GLC03603.123

14 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of the steamer trip to Norfolk to acquire more coal. Mentions being able to see the wrecks of the Cumberland and the Congress from where the Regiment is camped. Also writes of what a fine city Norfolk is.

GLC03603.124

18 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother

Writes about the ability to get day-old New York newspapers in Newport News and comments on the contents. Also mentions that he has in his company "two contrabands:" Napoleon and a 13-year-old who hid on the boat when they left Morehead. Pities the 13-year-old because of his lack of food source and shelter. Writes that more of the men from Norwich should take up arms and enlist in the army. Writes of the poor character of privates who have been under the watch of officers too long, and behave like "machines." Discusses their foolish behavior with money and with their rations, and describes…

GLC03603.125

23 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

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

GLC03603.126

25 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Declares that he wishes General Halleck had a stronger anti-slavery stance. Reacts to news of new recruits from Norwich and tells of the officers being switched around because of promotions and resignations.

GLC03603.127

30 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that Charley Breed from Norwich died that morning. Reflects on his last conversation with Breed and how much he was valued by the regiment. The diagnosis was hemorrhage of the bowels.

GLC03603.128

31 July 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Mentions attending a Preparatory Lecture. Declares that pay will be a month late. Writes a quick note before posting the letter that they have just been paid.

GLC03603.129

11 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: [Day pass]

A day pass for Charles Morgan Coit to go into Fredericksburg and return. Signed for by Major General Burnside and Lewis Richmond.

GLC03603.133

11 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he is sending his trunk home with his broken revolver in it. Asks his family to fix the revolver so that his brother, George, might have it.

GLC03603.134

13 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about other regiments moving out of Fredericksburg and reacts to news that Bela Learned was wounded.

GLC03603.135

16 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about a conversation he had with Colonel Harland about promotions and rank. Responds to news about who is enlisting in Norwich and writes that he knows his experience as an officer has been much better than that of the privates. Request shirts with pockets sewn into them and asks his family to preserve and season some tomatoes to send to him.

GLC03603.136

25 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes his Company going on a mission to round up stragglers and deserters. Writes about Dick Ripley, who has become the Hospital Steward. Reacts to news that his brother wishes to enlist as the paymaster's clerk. Thinks it might be a good job for his brother but insists that he is needed at home to help maintain the family's rental properties.

GLC03603.137

26 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Mentions the band and glee club performing. Compares General McClellan and General Burnside in respect to physical appearance, dress and character.

GLC03603.138

13 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 companies in battle in adjacent fields.

GLC03603.143

18-19 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He starts "Praised to God I am entirely free from even a scratch after the terrible + bloody battle of yesterday." Describes the Battle of Antietam and says that Lieutenant Eaton and Lieutenant Shepard were both wounded. Believes the regiment acted "beyond all praise." Describes the way the men under his command asked permission to break ranks after being wounded. Discusses the injuries and deaths of others and says he believes that their Regiment was beaten because they did not have proper support. Estimates that only half of the 8th Regiment left the battle without being wounded or dying.

GLC03603.144

19 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes more about the outcome of the battle. The regiment has guarded a bridge most of the day while the rebel soldiers have possession of the battlefield. Some of the dead and wounded Union troops are still in the field but cannot be retrieved. Counts that there are 19 or 20 dead and wounded from the 8th Regiment. Lieutenant Wait's body was later recovered from the field. His watch and other possessions had been stolen.

GLC03603.145

4 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been ill and has had a hard time marching. Has been treating his head and stomach pain with brandy. Believes his illness is being caused by drinking water that has traces of lime from limestone in it. The doctor tells him to mix cider vinegar with the water to counteract the effects. Also writes of having seen his Uncle William.

GLC03603.147

4 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports that the second member of the 8th regiment died from his battle wounds. Coit responds to newspaper coverage of the battle that fails to mention the 8th Regiment as being present. Also cites the accompanying newspaper art as inaccurate. Writes a more detailed account of the death of Lieutenant Marvin Wait, who was not dragged off the field after he was injured and was left when the 8th Regiment was forced to retreat from the field. Writes of finding his body the next day when he had been sure that Wait would be carried to the hospital on neutral ground.

GLC03603.148

5 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes to ask that his brother, George, request "muster rolls" from Lieutenant Shepard, who has been sent back to Norwich to recuperate after being wounded.

GLC03603.149