17 June 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of commanding a picket line. Also, he writes of receiving word of the Rebel raid into Maryland and Pennsylvania. Says that he does not believe the rebellion will last much longer. Writes that he presumes that the camp they are in will soon be evacuated and that his Regiment will not be called to oppose General [Robert E.] Lee's men in Maryland or Pennsylvania.

GLC03603.242

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

22 June 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of marching and arriving at Yorktown. Mentions that this was the site that General "McC's" troops were camped a year ago and describes an incident in which a black Rebel sharpshooter hid out in a tree and picked off the Union men until he, himself was shot. Says that the men will embark the next day for West Point where, it is rumored, [General Joseph] Hooker's and [General Robert E.] Lee's army's are fighting.

GLC03603.244

7 July 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports an unsuccessful raid on Fredericksburg and Richmond, Virginia. The marching is very difficult due to the extreme heat and that several have died or been maimed by sunstroke. Though none of the men were wounded while they attempted to take the bridge, several were taken prisoner while straggling behind during marching. Mentions that General Getty commanded the expedition, General Harland commanded Coit's division and that Colonel Stedman commanded Coit's brigade.

GLC03603.246

8 July 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from the "White House" that they are about to march to Fort Monroe 75-80 miles away and that his family should expect no letter for a few days.

GLC03603.247

11 July 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they have received word of Vicksburg, Mississippi and [General Ulysses] Grant's victories. The marching is very hard on the men and he writes that half of them, himself included, are marching barefoot because of wet boots and swollen feet.

GLC03603.248

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

7 September 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes after his family has visited him. Says that he is feeling better. "The day and night that I was on duty we had more Conscripts in the building than at any previous time and I am most happy to say that not one escaped during 24 hours." The letter is written on a draft of a memo written to Lieutenant Pratt.

GLC03603.250

26 September 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they are leaving for New Haven that evening. Requests that his family not come immediately to visit. They had a very unpleasant march to New York.

GLC03603.251

13 October 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Says that he is finding it hard to write because he feels very close to home. The officers of his camp were complimented on their abilities and commitment to duty. Responds to news from home that his family is thinking of renting out their house in Norwich and moving to New Haven. Writes that he may be staying in Fair Haven until the springtime and discusses plans to stay with his family. Also mentions his brother, George, coming to visit.

GLC03603.253

28 February 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes his camp quarters. Notes that a good deal of his time has been spent making muster rolls detailing what each man lost while in Connecticut. Writes that the losses are due to the individual soldiers' carelessness and Lieutenant Morgan who allowed for bad behavior. Believes that the soldiers will be able to purchase new items with their bounties. Mentions that General Harland has been ordered to Plymouth, North Carolina and will be missed greatly.

GLC03603.254

1 March 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of missing being able to stop in on his family in the evenings and how he will write letters again now that he is away. Notes that he is now with the 8th Connecticut Volunteer Infantry.

GLC03603.255

4 March 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes how busy he is with muster rolls and straightening out the clothing and ordinance accounts. Notes that he is relieved that he is not responsible for these accounts. The letter is written on a piece of paper that he has used to add account sums.

GLC03603.256

12 March 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports that they have orders to move to Deep Creek the next day and set up a new camp. They have not been called out to fight because so many of the recruits are unarmed. Writes more about how he finds Goddard "awkward." Arranges for his family to send his photograph to friends.

GLC03603.258

22 March 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Discusses the men from his regiment who have deserted and how they were punished. Describes being ill and of other officers sending for their ladies. "… wonder if mine would come if I sent for her…"

GLC03603.259

27 March 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to news from his family about their new living situation. Writes about the Chaplain's insistence that the officers set good examples. Mentions his pledge not to indulge in alcoholic beverages and of his new pledge to give up tobacco. Requests books and thanks his family for the newspapers they have sent him. Also describes the bothersome habits of Alfred Goddard.

GLC03603.260

1 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been in Norfolk and Portsmouth on business for the regiment. Notes that Sam Foss was ill with cholic and that Alfred Goddard knew how to treat it.

GLC03603.262

3 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that there is more religious interest in the camp lately and describes Regiment Captain Ford standing at a prayer meeting to say that he was giving up alcohol and cursing in favor of living a Christian lifestyle. Notes that his birthday passed without him realizing it. Says that he does not know what he will do after his service is up as he feels "more and more unsettled and less like going back to banking."

GLC03603.263

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

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

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

17 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Notes they marched to Getty's Station to attend the execution of a deserter but were told that it was to be postponed. Says that they received orders to march to Bowers Hill and then were transported to Suffolk by "cars." They came back to camp via Getty's Station. While on out on march, they set up camp on a night that is very cold. Since they have all been soaked during the daytime march, the men are very cold. The officers take shelter with a black Cavalry. "I would like to see a nigger with a skin so black that I would not sleep with him if he had a good blanket." He comments on the local…

GLC03603.268

18 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Requests more shirts and says that his friend would like for Coit's mother to share the pattern with his mother so that he can also have one. Aso asks for more socks and says that there is a rumor that they will be marching to Newport News very soon.

GLC03603.269

15 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes a short note about marching from camp to Suffolk, Virginia and then back again. Requests woolen stockings.

GLC03603.270

21 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they broke camp and marched to Deep Creek and then to Portsmouth. Notes that he has shipped his trunk to be held at New Haven post office until he calls for it again. Request postage stamps and woolen socks.

GLC03603.271