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

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

13 October 1864

Smith, Edward W., fl. 1864

Document

Title: General Orders

The orders say that 100-150 Union troops have been captured by the Confederate Army and will be placed in front of their troops going into battle. The orders request that an equal number of Confederate prisoners of war be "set to work in the excavation at Dutch Gap, and elsewhere along the trenches" and that their rations match those that the Union prisoners of war reportedly receive. The order is to be read to the prisoners to inform them of the reasons for their treatment. Those attempting to escape will be shot.

GLC03603.321.02

30 September 1864

Smith, Moses, fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George D. Coit

Smith (Chaplin 8th C.V.) writes to George Coit to let him know that he has just come from the battlefield and that Charles is well. He reports on the progress of the battle saying that they have captured 500 prisoners and that the 9th lost 9 officers. Charles requested his family be informed of his well-being.

GLC03603.322

4 October 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He describes the events of September 28th saying that they crossed the James river and drove Rebel troops back. The 10th of New Hampshire and the 118th of New York were the skirmishers while the 8th and 96th of New York were the support. Lt. Colonel Smith suffered a head wound. Foss was also wounded but Coit reports that neither was wounded fatally. He describes the 8th taking the fort and the two Rebel charges. "The ground was covered with killed + wounded + we took many prisoners".

GLC03603.323

13 October 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes that they were given orders to relieve the troops of the 10th Corps while they made a reconnaissance towards Richmond. When the Colonel and staff went back to "the line" Coit stayed behind to attend to office business. He says it is new to him that he should stay comfortable while other troops are "lying out." He says there will most likely not be any more fighting unless the Rebel soldiers attack.

GLC03603.325

20 October 1864

Smith, Edward W., fl. 1864

Autograph letter signed

Title: General Orders 134

The order informs that the Union soldiers who were prisoners of the Confederate Army have been relieved of their duties in the trenches and orders that the Confederate soldiers being held as prisoners of war by the Union are withdrawn from their retaliatory duties. The order further states that prisoners of war wishing to take the Oath of Allegiance should be allowed to travel North and do so.

GLC03603.327

20 November 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they are camped very near to their old camp. Also mentions that they are camped just across the river from rebel troops and that some of the troops from both sides spoke across the river the night before. The conversation was based mostly on their opinions of the different Generals. Believes that the Union cavalry will charge into Fredericksburg in the evening but does not anticipate any fighting. Writes about the expense of food in Fredericksburg.

GLC03603.165

23 November 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has heard of a mission that the regiment was unable to carry out because of lack of supplies. Believes that this accounts for the long stay at Fredericksburg. Writes that they have moved their camp to the Lacey Mansion ("rebel mansion"). The officers have occupied the mansion and Coit says that he is so comfortable that he dreads the idea of returning to tent living.

GLC03603.167

December 1, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been enjoying the luxuries of living in the mansion. Reports that pay for the regiment will be delayed due to a mix-up with muster rolls. The letter is written on the back of a an accounting blank which contains spaces for descriptions and muster information of different soldiers. Written from Lacey Mansion, in Falmouth, Virginia.

GLC03603.168

2 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has seen Mr. Gardener Green and that he is still comfortably living at the mansion. Written from Lacey Mansion, in Falmouth, Virginia.

GLC03603.169

19 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the Lacey Mansion is being used as a hospital and that the officers are staying in a two-room outhouse. Estimates that the battle has cost the Union side 10,000 and does not see any other result of the four days of battle.

GLC03603.174

10 February 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports that morale has improved since leaving the muddiness of their former camp. The weather is "delightful" and he hopes that they will remain there for a few weeks. Reports that officers from the Nehant and the Galena, two ships that are anchored offshore, have introduced themselves and invited officers from the Regiment on board. Barry, his servant, has left for North Carolina.

GLC03603.192

17 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Notes that he is located "3 miles below Suffolk, on the opposite side of the Nansemond River from the Rebs." Writes of a confusion which resulted in Lieutenant Foss being discharged for not reporting on time and that he will miss Sam (Foss) who he describes as an affectionate soldier who was just as against drinking as Coit was. Remarks about his anger that the 8th Regiment does not get due credit in newspaper stories about the battles. Written near Suffolk, Virginia.

GLC03603.224

23 June 1863

Blake, W.E., fl. 1863

Manuscript document signed

Title: [List of crew from captured CSS "Atlanta" transferred from the USS "James Adger" to Fortress Monroe]

List of 127 prisoners transferred to Fortress Monroe, Virginia under Major General John Dix: 116 crewmen from the captured CSS ironclad "Atlanta" and 11 prisoners taken near Savannah, Georgia. Signed on page 3 by Provost Marshal Captain W. E. Blake of Fortress Monroe and by W.J. Greenway. Written aboard the USS "James Adger".

GLC01007.05

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

14 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment is in Fredericksburg after four days of battle. Reports that the losses to the regiment are 6-8 wounded and one killed. Expresses a feeling of responsibility for the man who was killed.

GLC03603.172

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

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

27 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family/Orderly Gammwell

Writes that he wishes that the receiver's furlong would be long enough to cast a vote for "the suppression of Rebellion". Makes reference to the Hartford Convention of 1863. A draft of a note written to Orderly Gammwell but sent to his family with an explanatory note at the end.

GLC03603.215

30 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the enemy is surrounding Suffolk and "The cannon[s] are cannons are booming away at short intervals," though they have not been attacked yet. Notes that one of the pickets from his Regiment was attacked a few days ago. His brigade has been ordered to different places around the camp to keep guard.

GLC03603.218

2 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he is in command of a picket of 50 men. He does not believe there is any reason to be afraid of attack as they have been withdrawing their forces during the day.

GLC03603.219

31 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he does not believe that there is any further danger of attack. He says "tho' the gunboats keep firing away I doubt whether they see anything to fire at."

GLC03603.220

22 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about going on a recognizance mission to check out some houses beyond the picket line. The mission was commanded by Captain Stevens, who Coit believed had scoped out the area and deemed the mission safe. Reports being fired at by no fewer than 30 men who were "only a few rods off." Says he does not believe he was at fault for leading the men into danger as he had advised Captain Stevens to send skirmishers out to scout the area and the suggestion was rejected. Notes he carries an immense feeling of guilt and says "I would give all the money I expect to earn for a long time if I had…

GLC03603.225