31 May 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from the "White House" that his regiment is expecting to stay here to hold it as a base for Grant's army but they have been ordered to move again. "I hope that if we are about to go into action & danger that we shall at least have the satisfaction of thinking that we are under a commander who is accomplishing something & that we are helping even if so little towards ending the Rebellion." Includes a summary of how many officers and staff are still with the regiment.

GLC03603.286

3 June 1864

Spafford, Forest, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the family of Charles Morgan Coit

Writes on Coit's behalf. Says that the regiment has joined Grant's group and is at the center of their "line of battle." Comments about the position of the enemy and the condition of the regiment.

GLC03603.287

5 June 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Thanks God for preserving him through the days of danger and suffering. Writes about his feelings about acting as a commander. Notes that he read the last letter from his family "with the bullets whistling over me".

GLC03603.288

9 June 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been in the rear trenches for a day and will be moving to the front at night. Reports that the regiment consistently loses men in the battle. Writes of leaving the trenches to track down the regiment's luggage. Says that the Lieutenant Colonel Burpee was shot and killed in battle.

GLC03603.289

June 13, 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment has left the Army of the Potomac and are bound for Bermuda. Describes what he understands as the strategic reasons for their being ordered to move. Says that the loss from the previous battle was 33 killed and wounded. Writes that all the troops are about ready to "give out."

GLC03603.290

14 June 1864

Alexander, W.S., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Morgan Coit

This is a letter that Coit passed along to his family. The original letter stated the Coit was to receive one can of cherries and one can of milk. The note that Coit added to his family says that the milk and cherries were a generous gift from the visiting reverend.

GLC03603.291

16 June 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about marching from Point of Rocks to a camp and then on towards Petersburg. Describes the 8th regiment driving rebel soldiers back into the woods. Gives more details about the fighting and says that the loss was very slight. Writes that the officers have taken up residence in a house and that he has been able to stand very close to General Grant.

GLC03603.292

18 June 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that his personal conditions have improved and that he has been reunited with his luggage and his wall tent. The 8th Regiment, along with Burnside's other regiments will be transferred to the 9th Corps. Mentions the leadership implications of this transfer. He gives his opinions on General Smith. Comments that he sees the Army of the Potomac as an immense hoard where "individuals, regiments or brigades are as nothing." Tells a story in which General Smith dismissed a work team who were repairing a road because it was Sunday and there was to be no working.

GLC03603.293

24 June 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that, after 48 hours "at the front" they have been relieved. He writes about taking over a "pit" that contained fancy furniture that had been stolen. Describes battle with the rebel soldiers and reacts to news from home. Says that he does not sleep very much. Also writes about reading the Spectator and the Atlantic and about food prices.

GLC03603.294

1 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He reacts to his family reminding him about his pledge not to drink liquor. Defends his drinking of liquor by saying that they only pledged not to drink it as a beverage-not as recreation. Says that he has been indulging in it quite freely.

GLC03603.295

3 July 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that his regiment is "in the rear" to rest but that they are still working very hard. Notes that Captain Goodrich was shot while lying right next to him. Also writes that he has lost Colonel Sergeant Glover, one of the best men in his platoon.

GLC03603.296

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