January 30, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Expresses sadness at the change of generals and says that he hopes Burnside is assigned a new command and that the 9th Regiment can follow them. Writes that the roads are untravelable due to rain and mud. Believes that he was allowed to take leave to visit his family because of Colonel Harland's influence. Reports that he has given up on waiting for a package sent by his mother and tells her that she should recall it.

GLC03603.185.2

January 31, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to news that his brother has been considering a job with General Casey's staff by saying that such a chance is not to be dismissed. Qualifies this statement by saying that there is no prestige in being part of the staff of an inactive general and that he would object if his brother were ever to be part of a war. Says that if the regiments were to be consolidated, he would have a chance to quit the service without any harm to the company or his reputation.

GLC03603.186

10 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment received news of the election results and were very much pleased. Describes the polling method used among the soldiers for the governor's race. Writes about how much he respects and admires General [Ambrose] Burnside and predicts that Burnside will be remembered as a great war hero. Responds to news from home that burglars have broken into the store that the family owns.

GLC03603.223

2 March 1864

Palmer, William J., 1836-1909

Autograph note signed

Title: to Henry M. Cist

Requesting that another officer be allowed to go home with him. Mounted on paper 29.5 x 20 cm.

GLC03472.04.01

9 November 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports that Corps Head Quarters has issued an order to the regiments to pray for success of our arms in the battle they are about to fight. Writes that they marched and camped in the first snowfall the regiment has experienced. Describes his regiment being called to back up General Pleasanton's men as they advanced. They arrived "just in time to see a cavalry charge + the rebels skedaddle…"

GLC03603.163

16 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes, "The mental suffering of the last few days & nights has been beyond expression & much as we all disliked the marching in retreat the relief of mind on putting foot to ground this side the river was wonderful." Describes retreating after six days of fighting and the tirelessness of General Burnside. Assures his family that no one they know was injured. Written from Lacey Mansion, in Falmouth, Virginia.

GLC03603.173

26 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes waking and reading aloud the "testimony of generals before the Conduct of the War Comm." and then preparing and eating a large Christmas dinner. Describes trying to make "lasses candy" and suspending "a Castor trimmed with evergreen and candles from the ridge pole as a chandelier." Says that General Sumner does not grant furloughs unless there is some sort of emergency. Of General Sumner he says "An old "Bull" he is indeed & I don't like him." Captain Sheffield returned after recovering with a wound and brought two recruits with him. Asks his family to keep the secret that "…

GLC03603.176

January 10, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes a new military plan that is meant to alleviate the financial pressure caused by the long period of time between visits from the paymaster. The new plan allows officers to purchase two rations of food daily in order to feed servants that had otherwise been fed using the officers pocket money. Jokes that once their money runs out, all the officers will be forced to resign. Reports that he and the other officers blame General Sumner for this unfair plan.

GLC03603.181

January 16, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been using his new knife and passed part of an evening whittling. Gives an update to the news of Sumner's order regarding food purchase at the commissary. An order by General Burnside has dictated that the men may purchase whatever they would like from the commissary at the prices the government pays. Writes of his fondness for photographs of his family and about the general craze for photographs by the other men. His family has sent him $5 and he feels terrible that he has not been able to send any home.

GLC03603.183

January 26, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes a short comment on an official notice from Assistant Adjutant General Lewis Richmond announcing that the command of the Army of the Potomac will be transferred from General Burnside to Joseph Hooker. Writes that it is a sorry day for the 9th Corps.

GLC03603.185.1

February 5, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

The regiment has received orders to cook three days rations and prepare to leave for Fortress Monroe. Believes that this is connected to "the raid of rebel rams at Charleston & the temporary raising of a blockade" and that they may in fact be headed to Charleston. Mentions rumors about who General Burnside will be commanding. Lieutenant Shepard has resigned.

GLC03603.188

4 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that George should bring a knife and fork with him on his visit. Mentions seeing Kate Lott of New London at the review. Says that he doesn't "think the army is any place for ladies to visit and I should prefer to have all my lady friends stay a great way off." Writes that he believes that General Burnside will once again be in charge of the 9th Corps.

GLC03603.200

25 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that General Harland has told him that there is a chance that he will be made Major of the Regiment. Requests that his family keep this a secret as he is sure that it is only a slight possibility. Says that he is relieved that General [Ambrose] Burnside has once again assumed command over the 9th Regiment. Written at Camp Suffolk.

GLC03603.214

26 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they marched to Fort Dix. Describes General Corcoran and 6-8,000 troops going on a recognizance mission and retreating when they saw a rebel battery with a few hundred troops manning it. Criticizes other recent military moves and complains about the newspapers giving all the credit to the New York regiments. Requests that a vest be made for him and that his family send a new strap for his field glass.

GLC03603.227

10 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they are all excited by the news about [Joseph] Hooker. Coit believes that the end of the war will involve the Army of the Potomac. Notes that he shared his brother's plan to go to the Scientific School in New Haven with Colonel Harland. Says that Harland's reaction was that George would get a much more valuable education there than he would at Yale.

GLC03603.230

5 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Sends a declaration of defeat from Major General Peck to his family with only one addition: "Bah!!"

GLC03603.232

15 July 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his brother John McKinley Gibson

A camp rumor states that Sherman gave up his campaign against Atlanta and is fortifying along the Chatahoochee. "But this is mere conjecture." Gibson goes on to offer offensive diversions to draw Sherman from Atlanta, such as massing Confederate troops along the Potomac or attacking Sherman's Army in the rear. "Kin" is John McKinley Gibson's nickname.

GLC04501.023

9 December 1861

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his father Tobias Gibson

Randall describes a prisoner exchange between Grant and Cheatham. He comments that Grant "had somewhat the appearance of a gentlemen but the rest seemed to me impudent upstarts--some made confidence in the 'on to New Orleans' intention and all of them declared they were fighting for us-- that they came to save not to destroy. Genl. Grant even saying he would resign his commission if war should be made against slavery -- but it was evident from the whole tenor of their remarks that their purpose individually was subjugation & confiscation. I was thoroughly disgusted with the whole party…

GLC04501.013

25 July 1864

Gibson, Randall Lee, 1832-1892

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister Louisiana Gibson

Confidently predicts a Confederate victory against Sherman's army, which "will be driven back to the borders of the Ohio." His troops are stationed on Peach Tree Road, near the Atlanta railroad. The civilians have evacuated the town. "Louly" is Louisiana Gibson's nickname.

GLC04501.024

January 30, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, sister and [brother-in-law]

Writes that he has received his mother's likeness and will treasure it. Asks that Darius write as soon as he is well enough to do so. General Rosecrans has prohibited picket fires at night, so they have to make a big pile of coals and sleep beside it to keep warm during picket duty. Wheeler doesn't think Morgan will confront them for a while. Writes that the Union victory at Murfreesboro was so difficult that "old Bragg claims one on his side." Reports that Porter West, and Phil Hartman were wounded at Vicksburg. He encloses a letter from Captain Warner to Darius; which reports that…

GLC07460.012

February 21, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents and sister

The whole regiment has been healthier since they left Tunnel, Tennessee where many from Wheeler's regiment died. Wheeler has heard rumor that Vicksburg was taken from the Rebels. Some of the men are trying to publish the truth about Captain Warner in the Sycamore Republican (Warner is from Wheeler's hometown of Sycamore, Illinois). Reports that Warner is no longer officially captain of company C and instructs Darius to dispell rumors that Captain Warner left the Army honorably. The men believe Warner kept their money from board bills and are determined to make him pay it back. General…

GLC07460.015

February 23, 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Asks Darius, his brother-in-law, to settle some acounts for him back home. Reports that his regiment will march to meet General Hooker tomorrow morning. Mentions the Sons of Temperance a brotherhood of men who were committed to not drinking alcohol and asks if they have "turned him out".

GLC07460.016

15 March 1863

Wheeler, Lysander, 1837-1917

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his parents, [brother-in-law], and sister

Wheeler writes that the men have been busy foraging for Rosecrans' Army. He comments that they've been learning drilling in the French fashion. Writes that the men have taken to singing at night in their tents and have some pieces of sheet music including "The Soldier's Dream". He also writes that his favorite piece is "Never Forget the Dear Ones that Cluster Around thy Home". Updates his family on the health of his company and writes that it is harder for a soldier to get a furlough. Writes about the alcohol problem at camp and states that although he is offered liquor everyday, he…

GLC07460.022

20 September 1862

Lee, Samuel Phillips, 1812-1897

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Henry F. McSherry

Written on letterhead of the USS "Minnesota" by Acting Rear Admiral Lee as commander of the North Atlantic Blockading Squadron. Lee was previously the commander of the USS "Vandalia," which Henry McSherry served on in 1860-1861. Says he has nearly worn Henry's letter of 3 September "to wadding whilst carrying it in my side pocket." Says he has 50 ships under his command and the "desk work is immense." Says one of the USS "Minnesota's" assistant surgeons, Dr. Dodge, is helping at the Navy hospital that recently opened. Says he would "like it vastly" if Henry was given Dodge's position if it…

GLC03523.21.18

circa 1861-1865

Ritchie, Alexander Hay, 1822-1895

Print

Title: [Print of Oliver Otis Howard]

Depicts General Howard in Civil War uniform.

GLC00723.04