20 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Discusses his underground stove malfunctioning and filling his tent with smoke. When the Major saw the mess caused by the stove, he gave Coit $5 to purchase a camp stove, frying pan and coffee pot. Mentions that Stanton was offered a job by a pistol maker and asks if Coit can replace him. Again requests the presence of Daily. Also remarks on seeing a Pennsylvania Cavalry Regiment passing on their way from Washington to Fort Monroe. Says they were a hard looking bunch that had "been in the service some time."

GLC03603.033

24 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Discusses the group of soldiers who are acting as a guard to the city. Describes how they mostly arrest drunken or rowdy soldiers and keep them for a few days before allowing them to return to camp. Relates an incident involving six rowdy cavalrymen challenging ten of the guard's men. Mentions that he must write to A. A. Perkins though he "can't quite settle who she is."

GLC03603.037

16 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family ("Dear old Anne and all there")

His cousin, Edward Coit, visited him in the camp. Complains that the liquor supply sent to him by his Uncle George is leaking and that he'd better drink it quickly. Says that he only has drank it for medical problems. Describes a very good division review as "perfect magic."

GLC03603.055

26 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reacts to an article in the Hartford Courant that describes the 8th Regiment as poorly organized and Colonel Harland as absent much of the time. Defends Harland and discusses how much the citizens of Annapolis like his regiment. Writes that he does not like two of the tenants in George's building. Requests a map of the southern states.

GLC03603.057

30 September 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Sarah P. Coit

To his mother. Discusses his first impressions of camp life and laments his poor choice of luggage ( an inadequate trunk). Also uses one page to write a request that dividend payments from stock he owns be paid to her.

GLC03603.001

3 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Writes that his horse has arrived thanks to his Uncle George. Expresses his feelings of indebtedness towards his Uncle and his lack of ability to sufficiently express thanks. Thanks his family for letters and reports that he is enjoying his time with the army. Writes from the United States Hotel.

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6 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Discusses seeing Oliver, Samuel and little Mary Coit and attending a church service with them. Mentions discomfort with going to church in full uniform. Writes from the United States Hotel.

GLC03603.004

9 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Brief letter describes uncertainty with the future of his letter-writing. Mentions that his regiment will be leaving Hartford on Friday (which would be two days from the writing of this letter). Writes from the United States Hotel.

GLC03603.005

9 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the new clothing he has bought and of its cost. Also says he is enclosing a watch which stops daily and needs to be cleaned and oiled. Discusses a position in General Silas Casey's staff which had been offered to him. Writes from the United States Hotel.

GLC03603.006

9 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Discusses the watch that he returned home and thanks family and neighbors for their gifts of a blanket and a basket. Declares he does not believe he will be given leave this week but will try to get home if he can. Writes from the United States Hotel.

GLC03603.007

15 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Declares that he has still not left Hartford but orders are to leave at 4 p.m. on Thursday. Requests that his family reimburse H. C. Trumbull for a breakfast that he paid for. Written from the United States Hotel.

GLC03603.011

19 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on blank "Morning Report of Captain" form. Describes the departure from Hartford and their arrival at Staten Island and subsequent trip to Long Island. His brother, George Coit, came to watch the departure of the regiment. Remarks that he wishes he had an assistant. His regiment is under General Burnside.

GLC03603.012

20 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the activities of setting up the encampment and of the use of nearby farmhouses for shelter and food. Mentions that he is dreading the Dress Parade. Closes by saying he must form the regiment for church.

GLC03603.013

21 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes the Dress Parade and writes that he believes his performance to have gone very well. The townspeople are very kind to the soldiers and have given them bread and apples. The field staff, including Coit, are staying in an empty house which the townspeople believe to be haunted. Also describes the "splendid" greenhouse bouquet that he received when leaving Hartford and carried to Long Island, where it sits on the mantle in the dining room of the "haunted" house. Reports that he will soon have a servant. Written from Camp Buckingham.

GLC03603.014

21 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes how much he enjoys the company and conversation of the other Field and Staff as they are "almost all educated men." Says he has not received any mail from home since leaving Hartford. Written from Camp Buckingham.

GLC03603.015

23 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his sister

Writes that he no longer hopes to have the position with General Casey as he is very happy with his current job. He thanks his sister for the newspaper clippings she has sent him and writes that he does not hear any news and is only aware of what is happening in the immediate vicinity. Written from Camp Buckingham.

GLC03603.016

27 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Comments on the skill and performance of different officers in his regiment, especially of the Lieutenant Colonel and the Major. Invites his family to come and see him in Dress Parade and says that he will be able to find them accommodations near the camp. Writes: "Tell Ellen I have not had a single flirtation.." Also asks his sister if she knows Miss L .C. Collins of Hartford or Miss Chuver of Providence as they were the two women that signed the card on the bouquet he received upon leaving Hartford. Requests that his family not tell people about the regiment moving to Annapolis (mentioned…

GLC03603.017

27 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Tells his family about Professor Andrews, a family friend who had stayed at the Coit house last time he was in Norwich. Andrews is a professor at the female seminary college near the camp and invited Coit and the Captains of the regiment to his home the next evening. Written from Camp Buckingham.

GLC03603.018

24 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes the presentation of the state banner by the Sons of Connecticut as "mushy." Also writes about coming to enjoy participating in the Dress Parades. Written from Camp Buckingham.

GLC03603.019

24 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of his Uncle William's visit to the camp. Also states that he does not know how long the regiment will stay at Camp Buckingham. Requests a "double gown" for sleeping.

GLC03603.020

26 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

The brigade surgeon has told Coit that the regiment will be going to Annapolis in the coming week. He is regretful that they will leave Camp Buckingham as he has yet to receive items requested from home and still have no servant. Also writes that his family should not attempt to visit him as they might leave any day.

GLC03603.021

31 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that his regiment has been told to be ready to march with a days notice. They will be heading to Annapolis and then "will be shifted South to Dixie's Land." Reflects very positively on General Burnside. Laments his lack of a servant and details the army stipend allowed to him to hire, clothe and feed a servant. Requests more letters from home and assures his family he enjoys them greatly. Written from Camp Buckingham.

GLC03603.022

1 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment has received orders to leave Jamaica, Long Island the next night at 10 p.m. Mentions that he will be taking a servant that had been rejected by another company because he was missing his two front teeth, making him unable to "tear a cartridge." The servant is from Lebanon and is trained as a blacksmith and is said to be "honest and faithful." Also writes that he has not been out to call on people much because he has been getting over a cold. Written from Camp Buckingham.

GLC03603.023

4 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother, sister and brother

Writes of the long journey from Jamaica to Hunters Point and then by boat to Amboy. From Amboy, the regiment was transported by train cars to Philadelphia. Blames the Brigade Quarter Master for the ill-arranged transportation.

GLC03603.024

10 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that word has gotten back to him about his family sharing his feelings about Colonel Cunningham and the Lieutenant Colonel. Demands to know how word of this got around. Tells his family about the construction of an underground stove in his tent. Also describes the assembly of a Provost Guard from the city, comprised of "Capt. Ward, three of our best Lieuts with 100 men."

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