20 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Considers acquiring a camp stove with which to do his own cooking. Also writes about "shipping" Stanton and says he would rather have a colored waiter. Asks if "Daily" knows anything about cooking and, if so, if he can join Coit in Annapolis.

GLC03603.032

20 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Thanks his family for sending him $5 and describes his meal expenses. Requests coffee from home and his skating cap. Also mentions "franking" soldiers letters for them.

GLC03603.034

22 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the trouble he is having using the $5 bills sent from Connecticut and requests no more be sent. Complains about Annapolis calling it a "one horse town" and assures his sister that he will not lose his heart here because he "doubt(s) whether there are any girls here." Says Daly will need a paper signed by the Governor if he is to travel to Annapolis.

GLC03603.035

23 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the good condition of his tent and its ability to keep him dry. Encloses a certificate that Daly will need to travel to Annapolis. One of the five pages is written on back of a letter from Colonel Thomas.

GLC03603.036

24 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes briefly about the uncertainty of where the regiment is headed next.

GLC03603.038

26 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Mentions the arrival of General J. G. Foster and his eminent inspection of the camp. Expects that he will be invited to have Thanksgiving dinner with the Colonel and the Major as they have shared their plans to dine on a full Thanksgiving dinner that is being mailed to them by the Major's brother.

GLC03603.039

27 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he is still awaiting the arrival of Daly. Mentions a new rule that dictates that the morning reports written by Coit and other Adjutants are to be handed in by 9 a.m. Describes this as a hard task that he believes will get easier with time.

GLC03603.040

29 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes primarily about the issue of having a servant. Daly did not come and will not be coming due to unknown, humorous circumstances. Asks if "Howard from Gordon's barber shop will come at $20 +food."

GLC03603.041

29 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Still unsure about Daly's status and writes that he has been checking the station daily for him. Declares that the Major has given him a whole roasted chicken and about baking cakes with cornmeal and buckwheat. Says that General Foster spoke of condemning the regiment's arms during the inspection.

GLC03603.042

30 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that Daly has not/will not be arriving. Seems angry about it. Asks that his family hire anyone they can find for $25 a month and send him to Annapolis with the enclosed slip (see GLC03603.044).

GLC03603.043

30 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Slip prepared by Charles Morgan Coit and endorsed by Lieutenant Colonel Cunningham. States that the bearer ("colored") is his personal servant.

GLC03603.044

1 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Thanks his family immensely for the box of "goodies" they have sent him. Discusses both his and Stanton's illnesses and reports that he is forced to do all his chores himself as Stanton is not well. Writes that he hopes for a servant to be arranged and sent soon. One side written upside down on a draft of a morning report.

GLC03603.045

2 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Has just heard about the promotion of Colonel Harland to Acting Brigade General and, therefore, Coit will be promoted to Assistant Adjutant General. Requests that his family not spread word of his possible promotion around.

GLC03603.046

4 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the pay master has visited and that he is now acting as "A. Adjt. Genl." Complains about Stanton and gives more details about what he would like in a servant.

GLC03603.047

4 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on the back of a draft of a note confirming the receipt of ten company morning report books. Says that he is now doing both the work of the Adjutant and the Assistant Adjutant General. Mentions that Harland is now also acting "Brigadier" though it seems that these are only temporary positions.

GLC03603.048

7 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on Chelsea Savings Bank stationary. Writes about praise given to him by General Foster regarding his "correct"ness when completing forms and reports. Mentions that he has sent $40 by express. Believes he has found a new servant.

GLC03603.049

8 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that Mrs Dr. Perkins has visited him at the camp. Also mentions that he is trusting his family to judge the character of a prospective servant they have found for him in Norwich. Of the possible promotion he says, "Ellen must not expect me to get the position of Adjt. Genl. + don't think there is hardly a chance."

GLC03603.050

9 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of Harland talking about their prospects in terms of promotions. Reports that though they are both acting in higher positions, they are only being paid according to their official ranks. Responds to the promotion of Lieutenant Colonel Mathewson and says he does not believe he is the man for the job.

GLC03603.051

9 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that Stanton has left and that he is receiving assistance from a soldier from Company D. Explains that he is traveling to another camp to teach the Adjutant there to write reports correctly.

GLC03603.052

13 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of the excellent service that Joseph B. Burlingame, the soldier from Company D, is providing. Says it may be possible to keep him as a servant even though he is a soldier. Has received a letter from William Tucker addressed to "CMC Adjt Genl 8th Regt C.V." Mentions that there are 958 men in his regiment, including the commanding officers. Believes that the division will have a very pleasant expedition because Burnside is married to Cameron's daughter and Coit does not believe he would send his son-in-law into dangerous situations.

GLC03603.053

14 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports that a review of the division went very poorly for the 8th Regiment because of the Lieutenant Colonel. Responds to news from his mother about a possible servant by saying that he will give him a try if he is under no obligation to keep him. Declares that he really likes the servant he has and would like to try to retain him.

GLC03603.054

19 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

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

Describes a package he received from his cousin Ellen, which contained food. Also asks that his brother, George, tell him what rooms and stores are rented.

GLC03603.056

28 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about minor promotions within the regiment. Also says he has not received letters from home in a few days.

GLC03603.058

29 December 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Mentions that the regiment has received word that they must be ready to leave Annapolis at 12 hours notice. There is uncertainty as to where they are headed but he expresses fear that he will not be brave enough for battle. Discusses the skills and leaders of the other regiments in his division.

GLC03603.059

2 January 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to a letter from home saying he is very concerned and will send $200 as soon as he can. Writes about officers who have resigned and one who has written a critical article about the 8th Regiment for a newspaper. This letter was dated by Coit as January 1861 but it was actually written in 1862.

GLC03603.060