4 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on the back of a draft of a note confirming the receipt of ten company morning report books. Says that he is now doing both the work of the Adjutant and the Assistant Adjutant General. Mentions that Harland is now also acting "Brigadier" though it seems that these are only temporary positions.

GLC03603.048

7 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on Chelsea Savings Bank stationary. Writes about praise given to him by General Foster regarding his "correct"ness when completing forms and reports. Mentions that he has sent $40 by express. Believes he has found a new servant.

GLC03603.049

8 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 get the position of Adjt. Genl. + don't think there is hardly a chance."

GLC03603.050

9 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of Harland talking about their prospects in terms of promotions. Reports that though they are both acting in higher positions, they are only being paid according to their official ranks. Responds to the promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Mathewson and says he does not believe he is the man for the job.

GLC03603.051

9 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

13 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 8th Regt C.V." Mentions that there are 958 men in his regiment, including the commanding officers. Believes that the division will have a very pleasant expedition because Burnside is married to Cameron's daughter and Coit does not believe he would send his son-in-law into dangerous situations.

GLC03603.053

14 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports that a review of the division went very poorly for the 8th Regiment because of the Lieutenant Colonel. Responds to news from his mother about a possible servant by saying that he will give him a try if he is under no obligation to keep him. Declares that he really likes the servant he has and would like to try to retain him.

GLC03603.054

19 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family ("Dear old Anne and all there")

Describes a package he received from his cousin Ellen, which contained food. Also asks that his brother, George, tell him what rooms and stores are rented.

GLC03603.056

28 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about minor promotions within the regiment. Also says he has not received letters from home in a few days.

GLC03603.058

29 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Mentions that the regiment has received word that they must be ready to leave Annapolis at 12 hours notice. There is uncertainty as to where they are headed but he expresses fear that he will not be brave enough for battle. Discusses the skills and leaders of the other regiments in his division.

GLC03603.059

2 January 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to a letter from home saying he is very concerned and will send $200 as soon as he can. Writes about officers who have resigned and one who has written a critical article about the 8th Regiment for a newspaper. This letter was dated by Coit as January 1861 but it was actually written in 1862.

GLC03603.060

1 January 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 weight and his jacket is getting snug. This letter was dated by Coit as January 1861 but it was actually written in 1862.

GLC03603.061

3 January 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Worries about money matters at home. Promises to send money as soon as he can and requests that his brother, George, keep very careful account of the money coming in from rent. Writes about the poor condition of his horse and hopes that the government will give him money for a new one as The Governor was "spent in the service." Writes about his father's past military service and wonders about his early life. Mentions the promotion of Captain (Hiram) Appelman to Senior Captain. This letter was dated by Coit as January 1861 but it was actually written in 1862.

GLC03603.062

4 January 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been paid and will be sending money soon. The regiment has been assigned to sail on the H. J. Brookman and the Steamboat Chasser. They are expected to sail the next day. Mentions that he hopes his horse dies on the passage.

GLC03603.063

6 January 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment broke camp and marched to the wharf only to find that the ships were not ready. He, the Lieutenant Colonel and the Major all tried to find rooms at hotels but ended up hiring a small boat to take them to the ship. Is uncertain where they are headed but speaks of stopping at Fort Monroe. Written on board the ship "H. J. Brookman."

GLC03603.064

8 January 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 to.

GLC03603.065

8 January 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

January 11, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on board the ship "H. J. Brookman." Describes in more detail the voyage from Annapolis to the waters off the coast of Fort Monroe. Reports that several of the ships in the procession ran ashore and had to be towed off.

GLC03603.067

January 18, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on board the ship "H. J. Brookman." Mentions that he is still on the ship and has no contact with the outside world besides the occasional conversation with a tugboat crew that sails out to the ship. Many men on the ship have been seasick but he writes that he has not been ill. The officers have been passing the time by sleeping.

GLC03603.068

January 23-January 26, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 his "third cousin Lillie Coit Collins." Says that the soldiers are very isolated from outside news and he requests that his family send a copy of Norwich's weekly Tribune. Mentions men from the boat visiting the sutler on another boat to purchase food. Discusses the way men who buy food sell it to others at a large mark-up. Also reports that a…

GLC03603.069

January 28, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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 group of "loyal men" on land. Harland believes that the time the division is spending on board the two boats is meant to give the other group of soldiers a chance to organize and prepare for their arrival. Written on board the ship "H. J. Brookman," in Hatteras Inlet.

GLC03603.070

21 April 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of the construction of three batteries around Fort Macon for use during the attack on the Fort. Complains about faulty news coverage of the battles. Gives news of the death of Dr. Lathrop, one of the Division doctors. Tells of Major Appelman being wounded by a "spent grape-shot." He has sent in an order with the sutler to get fruit and farina from Newbern. He has still not fully recovered from his illness.

GLC03603.097

18 June 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he will attempt to take a furlong at the end of the month. Makes reference to staying at Miss S. G. C.'s house during his time off. Thanks his family for the photograph of his brother ("the young man in the Insurance Company"). Also scolds his family for spreading the information of him seizing the liquor from the soldiers.

GLC03603.114

2 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they have been ordered away with an unknown destination. Expresses distaste at new enlistees being given bounties. Instead, he believes that the states should draft men and attempt to refill the old regiments. Writes, "I can hardly keep from swearing when I think how everything seems to be so mismanaged, especially the enlistments."

GLC03603.130

4 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes the passage, by boat, to Acquia Creek from Newport News. Also writes that the officers plan to erect a monument to Dr. Lathrop and that he will consult with the doctor's widow to see what she would like done. Makes reference to a monument being erected for his father in the past.

GLC03603.131