3 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: 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

12 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Describes a quiet camp and reading a novel called "Pique" until his candle went out at 4 a.m. Thanks her for sending a book called "Lady of the Lake." Describes singing hymns with the other officers and requests that he be sent his chess set from home. Notes that the regiment does not get very many recruits and that those they do get tend to desert. Writes that there is to be an execution of a deserter who Coit believes joined the Rebel side.

GLC03603.267

1 May 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been very busy with drilling, parading and "his papers." Notes that General Brooks is in command of his regiment and that "it should have been General Burnham." Says that the regiment is keeping 4 days cooked rations ready in order to move quickly if they receive orders to march. Thanks his family for the stockings and postage stamps that they sent and says that he is going to try to purchase new shoes, a tin cup and tobacco from town.'

GLC03603.273

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

31 May 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to a female relative of Alfred Goddard

Writes that this was a draft of a letter he was preparing for a female relative of Alfred Goddard. Encloses the draft with a letter to is family. Writes detailing Alfred's bravery during battle and his dying wishes to have his possessions shipped to his mother and to thank the company for fighting so well. Notes that he and Alfred had been "brought into the closest communion" during the few months that they were together.

GLC03603.280

15 May 1864

Spafford, Forest, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to the family of Charles Morgan Coit

Forrest Spafford writes to the Coit family to assure them of Charles' safety. He writes that the regiment occupies the area around Fort Darling and tells the family about the skills of the regimental sharp shooters. Charles Coit requested that Spafford write a letter to his family when he returned to camp to ease their minds.

GLC03603.282

19 May 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they endured a "flogging" from the rebels on Monday night. Notes that there is an order to clear trees in front of the rifle pits. He requests money.

GLC03603.284

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

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

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

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

11 February 1822

Smith, Albert, 1793-1867

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Discusses family and local news. Mentions worry about Hobart's sick infant, an older man and woman near death, and a four year old whose clothes caught fire and was burned to death. Comments on law lagging behind other professions, "as money is plenty for good notes." A post script urges Hobart to show Smith's reports to Mr. Homans, send a newspaper to the postmaster occasionally, and "remember my unkle N. Smith."

GLC06313.04.151

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

3 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the retreat from Fredericksburg and thanks his mother for the rubber coat she sent him. Writes more about Lieutenant Eaton's condition, which he says is deteriorating.

GLC03603.140

10 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes the views from the march from Antietam. Also predicts that Colonel Harland will soon be promoted to Brigadier, but is concerned that the Colonel will not ask men to be references in his favor. Writes about the other men he is sharing a tent with, Lieutenants Weed and Goodrich, and responds to news from home about his brother George's career choice. Also reflects on marching past the battlefield and seeing the dead bodies as either "losses" or "gains." Writes, "Live rebels, with theirs pointing towards me, I find is a much more horrid sight than heaps of them dead." Responds to a…

GLC03603.151

16 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that Charlie Johnson left after visiting from Norwich for five days. Writes that he is more homesick than ever and hopes that the 8th Regiment will be sent to Connecticut to recruit new soldiers and supplement their depleted ranks.

GLC03603.155

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

8 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that two companies of the 1st Connecticut Artillery have camped right next to them. Also asks his mother to send gloves or mittens with Lieutenant Shepard when he leaves to re-join the regiment. In a note dated 19 December, he writes that he found his letter written on the 8th still laying on the Quartermaster's desk and will re-mail it.

GLC03603.171

30 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Family has received the trunk of extra clothing he has sent home and he responds to a question they asked him about a photograph of a woman that was in the trunk. Says it was merely a photograph he found and kept in hopes of returning it to its owner. The scrap wishes his family a happy new year.

GLC03603.177

1 January 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reflects on the last year saying, "How little we seem to have accomplished during the last twelve months." Expresses his thankfulness for God keeping him safe and healthy. Also says that his regiment has been almost constantly on the "front" for the entire length of the year. Writes of enjoying reading the Washington Chronicle because it "shows the bright side of everything."

GLC03603.178

1 January 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to questions from his family about the belongings of Marvin Wait, one of the men who was wounded in battle and to news that it was the anniversary of his father's death. Believes his father to be the guardian angel that watches over him and his family. Reports the news of General Burnside being promoted to commander in chief of the Army of the Potomac. Written from "Gaskins' Mill," likely in Virginia.

GLC03603.179

26 January 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

30 January 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

31 January 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