25 September 1864

Tillotson, George W., 1830-1918

Autograph letter signed

Title: To his wife

Cross written. Receives 10 months pay ($150) in "Green Backs": "four [months] of which I had drawn once before . . . . " Can not use the dollar his wife sent him because it is state money. Fever & ague strike the regiment; drawing clothes rations; expects to be mustered out on November 11th.

GLC04558.163

6 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and sister

Writes that most of the normal camp activities have been suspended because of bad weather and that he is working on supply and logistic reports. Says the he also passes the time whittling, reading the "Atlantic," and playing chess. Requests the weekly edition of the New York Times and says he likes its coverage of the war best. Responds to news from home and says he hopes that "Wm. A. B." has won the recent election.

GLC03603.266

21 June 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

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 has lost a set of colors" during battle. Describes Lt. Foss feeling ill and being treated with opium. Notes that they have received orders to march at 2 a.m. with only their tents and blankets.

GLC03603.243

4 August 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

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 camp. Writes that his brigade was summoned to Charleston but was missing so many men that the first brigade was sent in their place.

GLC03603.249

April 5, 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Coit

Requests a chess handbook and describes a company box that he has acquired to hold his books and other belongings. Writes that he is in command of the Regiment because Captain Hoyt is in Portsmouth attending a court martial.

GLC03603.265

24 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Notes that many different regiments are gathering in the Yorktown area. Everyone is being ordered to store or ship their possessions. Writes that all men, including the band, are being armed.

GLC03603.272

4 May 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment is getting ready to march. Supplies have been consolidated and rations for five days have been prepared. He passes on rumors of different destinations. Writes of sending his possessions to be stored and sending money to be deposited in the name of William Rollins, a black soldier who is Coit's servant. Asks his brother, George, to add Rollins to his savings account as a trustee. Responds to the two books sent by his family, "Paradise Lost" and "Seasons."

GLC03603.274

29 May 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of commanding the regiment in place of Colonel Ward and of embarking to join [General Ulysses] Grant's army. Notes that four of the companies lost all of their baggage when the rebels captured it. Says that he found and sent home Alfred's valise with some of his own things enclosed.

GLC03603.285

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

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

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

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

5 September 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda thanking his family for the valise and shoes that they have sent to him. He writes that Captain Hoyt's most pressing duty has been "guzzling whiskey." He writes that Captain Foss calls the headquarters "a public bar." Coit fears Colonel Ward's discharge because the men of the Regiment like him so much. He encloses some badges that he asks his sister to embellish with silver thread.

GLC03603.318

20 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment is in need of knapsacks and dress coats. Believes that he will be sent to Washington to pick up the needed items. Describes his soldier's coat and requests that his mother send new shirts. Writes that all but three of Connecticut's 11th Regiment's field officers have decided to resign. Explains that he was forced to direct the dress parade because none of the higher-ranking officers were present. Closes the letter with a note saying that he is headed to Washington.

GLC03603.156

25 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he arrived back to camp with the supplies much earlier than expected. The regiment has been given orders to march the next morning and rumor has it that they are traveling 6-8 miles down the river to Berlin.

GLC03603.158

17 November 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he plans to send most of his supplies home and only carry a small bag. Also writes more about the new chain of command within his Grand Division.

GLC03603.164

21 November 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has asked the Quartermaster to purchase some supplies for him when he goes to Washington, D.C. to procure shoes and clothing. Describes the march and the current camp and assures his family of his comfort. Also says that the regiment has run out of candles.

GLC03603.166

5 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes his thankfulness at being able to have shelter in the mansion during a snowstorm. Writes that he has filled out a Quarterly Return of Deceased Soldiers. There are reports that a soldier from the 21st Regiment froze to death in the night. Requests a pair of field glasses for Christmas. The letter is written on the back of a draft of a letter to General Thomas. Written from Lacey Mansion, in Falmouth, Virginia.

GLC03603.170

January 26, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes after returning from a trip home. Reports seeing Fred Ward's father on the train and hearing him talk about his son who he believes has been taken prisoner. Thinks that Fred Ward is dead but did not tell his father this. Reports that Charlie Johnson met him in New York and attempted to give him boots, an overcoat, and a scarf and gloves. Writes that he arrived in Washington, D.C. and bought a sword, haversack and boots. Declares that the city is "full of shoulder strap & I was ashamed to be seen there." Describes his new sword and his return to camp, where he was made fun of for…

GLC03603.184

January 22, 1822

Hagner, Peter, 1772-1850

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Indicates that a letter with enclosures Representative Hobart sent to the Secretary of War has been forwarded to the Auditor's Office. The letter regarded the payments sue to Edward Morton for boats and arms supplied. Explains pertinent regulations relating to making the payment. Hagmer identifies himself as an auditor. Written from the Treasury Department.

GLC06313.04.143

February 21, 1822

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Written from the Treasury Department & Auditor's Office. Asks for the papers in the case of Edward Morton to be returned. Hobart was helping Morton recover money owed to him for boats and arms he supplied (see GLC06313.143).

GLC06313.04.149

February 11, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes to request a bigger valise and reports having sold the one his family had sent to him for a $1 profit. Says that Colonel Harland is on his way to Norwich for a 15-day furlough and that he would like his family to send a new valise with him on his way back. Also requests a silk handkerchief, towels, a sash and a regulation hat. Then modifies his request to ask that his trunk be sent back to him with a longer list of items to enclose.

GLC03603.194

February 11, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been using the field glass that Miss Greene sent him. Asks advice on what he should write to thank her. Asks how to address her in a letter: "Is she "dear Madame" or what." Also writes that the long lost Harper's Ferry bundle that his family sent finally arrived. Believes that they are traveling to Suffolk and requests a valise rather than his trunk.

GLC03603.195

February 25, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Encloses of draft of a thank you letter to Miss Greene. Thanks her for the glass and says that he is sure that no one can possibly understand how much the soldiers appreciate remembrances of home. Expresses a commitment to "crush this wicked rebellion and hasten the time when we once more return to dear old Connecticut." Describes seeing a review of the 9th Corps. Writes "I truly think the Connecticut brigade surpasses all others in marching and general appearance." Mentions that he would like to invite George to visit once he has a wall tent.

GLC03603.198

23 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment has established a camp near the portion of the river that they are trying to defend. Comments about Colonel Ward having command over a few regiments as a "compliment for his gallant behavior" when he took control of all the troops. Says that he is unsure of the "shape of the enemy" and that his field glass is very useful.

GLC03603.226