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to his family
5 May 1863
Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878
Sends a declaration of defeat from Major General Peck to his family with only one addition: "Bah!!"
GLC03603.232
21 May 1863
Writes that part of the regiment has been commanded to prepare three days rations and march as soon as possible. Coit and his company are to stay on duty at Fort Jerico. Says that there is nothing for him or the company to do at the fort and that he...
GLC03603.234
23 May 1863
Writes that they have returned to the same site that they had camped at a month ago but that a new camp has been erected on its site. Mentions that he plans on extending his tent by building an 'evergreen bower' and hanging his hammock. Requests that...
GLC03603.235
[General Order #75]
26 May 1863
Comments on [General Ambrose] Burnside's General Order thanking the 9th Regiment for their "behavior in their brilliant action before Suffolk, V.A." Writes that he and the others are happy to have been remembered by General Burnside and refers to him...
GLC03603.236
2 June 1863
Writes about the trip into the swamp that he took with the other officers last weekend. Also writes of a soldier who causes him trouble. He requests black pepper, black tea and other food and mess items to be sent to him. Responds to the request for...
GLC03603.238
14 June 1863
Writes that his company has been relieved of duty at Ft. Jerico and sent to rejoin their regiment. The box that his family sent has arrived and he thanks them and mentions that several of the jars had broken in shipping. Describes using sweet gum...
GLC03603.241
17 June 1863
Writes of commanding a picket line. Also, he writes of receiving word of the Rebel raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Says that he does not believe the rebellion will last much longer. Writes that he presumes that the camp they are in will soon be...
GLC03603.242
21 June 1863
Notes that they have marched and are camping near Portsmouth, Virginia. Believes that they are to wait there while Keyes' force attempts to create a diversion or capture Richmond, Virginia. Writes of the regret that the regiment feels "that our state...
GLC03603.243
22 June 1863
Writes of marching and arriving at Yorktown. Mentions that this was the site that General "McC's" troops were camped a year ago and describes an incident in which a black Rebel sharpshooter hid out in a tree and picked off the Union men until he...
GLC03603.244
7 July 1863
Reports an unsuccessful raid on Fredericksburg and Richmond, Virginia. The marching is very difficult due to the extreme heat and that several have died or been maimed by sunstroke. Though none of the men were wounded while they attempted to take the...
GLC03603.246
8 July 1863
Writes from the "White House" that they are about to march to Fort Monroe 75-80 miles away and that his family should expect no letter for a few days.
GLC03603.247
11 July 1863
Writes that they have received word of Vicksburg, Mississippi and [General Ulysses] Grant's victories. The marching is very hard on the men and he writes that half of them, himself included, are marching barefoot because of wet boots and swollen feet...
GLC03603.248
4 August 1863
Notes that he has returned from a visit to his family and is camped with new conscripts and is unsure whether he will be in charge of them or not. Says that he has purchased a leather trunk and a duster. Writes that Colonel Otis is in charge of the...
GLC03603.249
7 September 1863
Writes after his family has visited him. Says that he is feeling better. "The day and night that I was on duty we had more Conscripts in the building than at any previous time and I am most happy to say that not one escaped during 24 hours." The...
GLC03603.250
26 September 1863
Writes that they are leaving for New Haven that evening. Requests that his family not come immediately to visit. They had a very unpleasant march to New York.
GLC03603.251
13 October 1863
Says that he is finding it hard to write because he feels very close to home. The officers of his camp were complimented on their abilities and commitment to duty. Responds to news from home that his family is thinking of renting out their house in...
GLC03603.253
February 28, 1864
Describes his camp quarters. Notes that a good deal of his time has been spent making muster rolls detailing what each man lost while in Connecticut. Writes that the losses are due to the individual soldiers' carelessness and Lieutenant Morgan who...
GLC03603.254
1 March 1864
Writes of missing being able to stop in on his family in the evenings and how he will write letters again now that he is away. Notes that he is now with the 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.
GLC03603.255
4 March 1864
Writes how busy he is with muster rolls and straightening out the clothing and ordinance accounts. Notes that he is relieved that he is not responsible for these accounts. The letter is written on a piece of paper that he has used to add account sums...
GLC03603.256
March 12, 1864
Reports that they have orders to move to Deep Creek the next day and set up a new camp. They have not been called out to fight because so many of the recruits are unarmed. Writes more about how he finds Goddard "awkward." Arranges for his family to...
GLC03603.258
March 22, 1864
Discusses the men from his regiment who have deserted and how they were punished. Describes being ill and of other officers sending for their ladies. "… wonder if mine would come if I sent for her…"
GLC03603.259
March 27, 1864
Responds to news from his family about their new living situation. Writes about the Chaplain's insistence that the officers set good examples. Mentions his pledge not to indulge in alcoholic beverages and of his new pledge to give up tobacco...
GLC03603.260
1 April 1864
Writes that he has been in Norfolk and Portsmouth on business for the regiment. Notes that Sam Foss was ill with cholic and that Alfred Goddard knew how to treat it.
GLC03603.262
3 April 1864
Writes that there is more religious interest in the camp lately and describes Regiment Captain Ford standing at a prayer meeting to say that he was giving up alcohol and cursing in favor of living a Christian lifestyle. Notes that his birthday passed...
GLC03603.263
to George Coit
Congratulates his brother on having won first prize. Advises his brother on the path to better health and says that he would like to see a copy of a speech his brother is to give.
GLC03603.264
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