6 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the hardships of being shuffled from the front to the back. Responds to news about Beckwith and James Jennings, both soldiers from Connecticut who have suffered what Coit believes to be self-inflicted wounds. Describes motivating frightened soldiers with threats. Discusses the clean springs near the rifle pits that Coit says provide good water while they are fighting.

GLC03603.297

9 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

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

GLC03603.298

12 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Requests a valise to be sent from home. Says a sutler, who is supplied by Smith and Co. in Norwich, has joined the troops. Notes that Captain Henry C. Hall was killed when he "exposed himself needlessly." Mentions two books or magazines "Atlantic" and "The River."

GLC03603.299

18 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Complains about the load of paperwork he is doing and reports that Colonel Ward is feeling unwell. Says that Ward does not stay near the field staff even when he is feeling well. Requests that his news about Ward not be repeated. Reports that Captain Goodrich is feeling better but he may lose his leg. Describes the vegetables that are available. Writes that he trusts George with all the family business while he is unable to do it. Notes that he does not expect to take Petersburg anytime soon and believes they will move again soon. Says that Colonel Steadman has a reputation of being "rashly…

GLC03603.300

18 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes an additional letter to include things he had forgotten. Requests a pair of cavalry boots and describes the type and size.

GLC03603.301

23 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Encloses this draft of a memo to all officers in letter no. 303a. The memo announced the deaths of Captain John McCall, Captain Henry C. Hall, Alfred M. Goddard and Levi C. Bingham. It also recommended that all officers wear crepe morning band for an unspecified number of days.

GLC03603.302

23 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the promotions process in the 8th. Notes about letter no. 302 and his feelings surrounding the memo. Comments that General Ord is now in command. Requests a bottle of Osgood's Cologne.

GLC03603.303

25 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Says he is considering not reenlisting in September. Notes that the camped was "shelled" the night before but no one was hurt. Writes that most of the best officers have been killed or wounded and that re-enlisting would mean being in the company of men who are "anything but agreeable." Requests envelopes and restates his boot size.

GLC03603.304

July 28, 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes in response to a letter from his family, outraged that they have not received all the letters he has written. Gives more instructions on the kind of boots he wants. Notes that he has been enjoying canned fruit and milk. Says that he receives extra goodies when he is commanding the regiment. Reiterates his intentions to leave the army after his three year commitment and mentions that all of the officers who he considers descent will be leaving in the fall if they have not already been killed or wounded. Writes about the relief of General Smith. Believes it is because of tension between…

GLC03603.305

3 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the regiment's defeat after blowing up a rebel fort. Mentions a black regiment fighting along with them. "Everything has been gained and now everything has been lost."

GLC03603.306

7 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes to request his Receipt Roll, which he accidentally sent home with his clothing return. Requests a response from his family regarding the memo he sent about the officers who died in battle. Says that the memo has yet to be published and circulated. Describes the camp that the regiment occupies. Writes that he will be getting loan of a horse.

GLC03603.307

10 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Requests more "light reading" and remarks on having read Uncle Tom's Cabin. Writes that he has received his new horse. Notes that 56 of the 100 recruits sent from New Haven have arrived and are about to begin training. Writes about the condition of the new recruits, saying that not one was American, but rather Irish, French and German. Comments that it seems his valise and papers have fallen victim to an explosion during delivery.

GLC03603.308

11 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that Captain Goodrich has returned to the regiment after recuperating at Annapolis. Comments tha he testified to the good character of Colonel Ward under oath during a hearing by the military commission. Says he put everything in a favorable light. Mentions an order by the War Department that refuses to muster out officers who have served less than three years in their present rank. Says that he feels as if others think of him as a mainstay in the Regiment and also that he is unsure of what he would like to do once he is mustered out.

GLC03603.309

15 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes that the U.S.G. has a new leader and that he had to give up his horse. He requests hair oil and sends sewing silk.

GLC03603.310

28 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda that they have moved to a new camp. Colonel Ward is still is poor health and has requested a leave of absence. He writes of treating a "chill" with whiskey and thrashing his arms. He asks to borrow money as they have not been paid yet.

GLC03603.311

18 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda that he would like to re-enlist for a period of time less than three years but that it seems impossible. He is not angry with the service or the mission but rather with the regimental management. He writes that many lives were lost when "a great freshlet" swept through the ravine where many of the troops were camped.

GLC03603.312

28 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda that they have been busy moving camp and that the chaplain is ill. He also writes that Colonel Ward has recovered and has been offered a regiment.

GLC03603.314

31 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda that he has recovered the papers that were accidentally sent home and writes that Captain Hoyt will be taking over for Ward, who is headed home on leave.

GLC03603.316

2 September 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda that he has given command of the Regiment over to Captain Hoyt since he is the superior. He is happy to have command of his company again. Discusses the policy that states that no officers will be mustered out until they have served 3 years in their current rank. Writes that under the new terms, he will not be completed with his service until 3/27/1865 (he writes 1864 but that would be a mistake as he is writing in September of 64). He also describes what he considers to be the unjust system of compensation to officers who have not been paid on time.

GLC03603.317

5 September 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda thanking his family for the valise and shoes that they have sent to him. He writes that Captain Hoyt's most pressing duty has been "guzzling whiskey." He writes that Captain Foss calls the headquarters "a public bar." Coit fears Colonel Ward's discharge because the men of the Regiment like him so much. He encloses some badges that he asks his sister to embellish with silver thread.

GLC03603.318

9 September 1864

Wait, J.T., fl. 1861

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Morgan Coit

Wait requests information from Coit for George Pratt, an author who is preparing a sketch of Marvin. He wants to know the date of Marvin's enlistment, when the company moved from Norwich to Hartford and how long the company remained in Jamaica. Coit's answers are penciled onto the letter above the questions.

GLC03603.319

15 September 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda requesting his Ordinance return and other papers to be sent immediately by mail.

GLC03603.320

18 September 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda about a wooden shelter that has been built for him in camp. He gives more specifications on the papers he is looking for. He writes that he encloses Generals Orders No. 126 as a curiosity.

GLC03603.321.01

13 October 1864

Smith, Edward W., fl. 1864

Document

Title: General Orders

The orders say that 100-150 Union troops have been captured by the Confederate Army and will be placed in front of their troops going into battle. The orders request that an equal number of Confederate prisoners of war be "set to work in the excavation at Dutch Gap, and elsewhere along the trenches" and that their rations match those that the Union prisoners of war reportedly receive. The order is to be read to the prisoners to inform them of the reasons for their treatment. Those attempting to escape will be shot.

GLC03603.321.02

30 September 1864

Smith, Moses, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George D. Coit

Smith (Chaplin 8th C.V.) writes to George Coit to let him know that he has just come from the battlefield and that Charles is well. He reports on the progress of the battle saying that they have captured 500 prisoners and that the 9th lost 9 officers. Charles requested his family be informed of his well-being.

GLC03603.322