8 May 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 done far more hard work than they are given credit for. Also complains about the presence of ticks. Written "Near Newbern," in North Carolina.

GLC03603.103

12 May 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

13 May 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

14 May 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

15 May 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 their pride has been awakened. Writes that he has heard word that any liquor sent to the Company will be seized and disposed of. Written "Near Newbern," in North Carolina.

GLC03603.107

20 May 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 his company. Regarding the servant, Coit uses graphic racist language to describe Black people performing spiritual songs and dance. Shares the process of how the songs are created as he understands it.

GLC03603.108

May 25, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 leadership and discipline. Also describes a boat trip that he took with a few other officers on the Trent River. Written "Near Newbern," North Carolina.

GLC03603.109

1 June 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 and has issued an order that all men must bathe at the 5 p.m. drum call. Responds to reports of his illness that have reached his family through other soldiers' letters by saying that they are much exaggerated. Also responds to his mother and sister proposing the idea that they go into an army hospital as nurses. Writes that he is very opposed to…

GLC03603.110

2 June 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has sent $250 home.

GLC03603.111

4 June 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 trust Lieutenant Shepard. Tells of Shepard inviting other officers to drink with him and having such a rowdy time that Coit had to throw them off the company ground. Soon afterward, Shepard and his servant were both very ill. Because of this incident, Harland forbids the sutler from selling alcohol in the future. Also, the incident lead to the forced…

GLC03603.112

16 June 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

June 23, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

28 June 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 away from the rest of the camp. Is not sure he will be offered a position in Harland's staff. Says the regiment is preparing to march and has made rations for a three day tour. Believes they are headed to Goldsboro.

GLC03603.116

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