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

23 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the regiment has established a camp near the portion of the river that they are trying to defend. Comments about Colonel Ward having command over a few regiments as a "compliment for his gallant behavior" when he took control of all the troops. Says that he is unsure of the "shape of the enemy" and that his field glass is very useful.

GLC03603.226

26 April 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they marched to Fort Dix. Describes General Corcoran and 6-8,000 troops going on a recognizance mission and retreating when they saw a rebel battery with a few hundred troops manning it. Criticizes other recent military moves and complains about the newspapers giving all the credit to the New York regiments. Requests that a vest be made for him and that his family send a new strap for his field glass.

GLC03603.227

2 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that his regiment has been building corduroy roads and gabions. Notes that some people are making "queer remarks" about General Peck. One man said that he hoped that General Peck was killed and went to hell before the soldier did. That way, Peck would get there first and have it so well fortified that the solider would not be able to get in.

GLC03603.228

3 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that there is a "heavy force across the river and the firing has been incessant." Notes that his Regiment is split in two with one half out on a mission and Coit's half camped in the woods. He passes on descriptions of fighting near the river, saying that the Rebels were "in rifle pits as usual." Believes that the goal of the Rebels is to capture part of the railroad and "forage the whole country and prevent the planting."

GLC03603.229

10 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they are all excited by the news about [Joseph] Hooker. Coit believes that the end of the war will involve the Army of the Potomac. Notes that he shared his brother's plan to go to the Scientific School in New Haven with Colonel Harland. Says that Harland's reaction was that George would get a much more valuable education there than he would at Yale.

GLC03603.230

24 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Says that he has hired a new servant named Bill. The Chaplin gave the soldiers a supply of new books and newspapers. Requests that his mother take the money he has sent and buy some letter paper to write him rather than the "old scraps" she has been using. Notes that he waits until he is alone in his tent to open his letters because of the poor quality of the paper. Requests news from home on the marriages of Mrs. Bull and Mrs. Dyer. Sends his regards to his extended family and friends and requests a green checkered shirt. Responds to news that a doctor from Connecticut is planning on…

GLC03603.231

5 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Sends a declaration of defeat from Major General Peck to his family with only one addition: "Bah!!"

GLC03603.232

21 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that part of the regiment has been commanded to prepare three days rations and march as soon as possible. Coit and his company are to stay on duty at Fort Jerico. Says that there is nothing for him or the company to do at the fort and that he stays in his hammock most of the day. Requests more underclothes and says that his trunk is nearly full.

GLC03603.234

23 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they have returned to the same site that they had camped at a month ago but that a new camp has been erected on its site. Mentions that he plans on extending his tent by building an 'evergreen bower' and hanging his hammock. Requests that his family send him his mosquito bar, a vest and some strong cord. Says that he had considered asking for sheets to be sent from home but has decided to get them from the hospital. "You see I am getting decidedly luxurious in my tastes for a soldier but I can assure you we know how to appreciate such things after roughing it for so long." Writes…

GLC03603.235

26 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: [General Order #75]

Comments on [General Ambrose] Burnside's General Order thanking the 9th Regiment for their "behavior in their brilliant action before Suffolk, V.A." Writes that he and the others are happy to have been remembered by General Burnside and refers to him as a "grand old man".

GLC03603.236

2 June 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about the trip into the swamp that he took with the other officers last weekend. Also writes of a soldier who causes him trouble. He requests black pepper, black tea and other food and mess items to be sent to him. Responds to the request for advice regarding his brother George going to New Haven by saying that he does not feel right about giving financial advice at the present time. Mentions that he has heard promotion rumors and says that he "shant cry" over being passed over for a promotion to Major. Written at Fort Jerico.

GLC03603.238

14 June 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that his company has been relieved of duty at Ft. Jerico and sent to rejoin their regiment. The box that his family sent has arrived and he thanks them and mentions that several of the jars had broken in shipping. Describes using sweet gum bark tea to help cure him of diarrhea. Comments about food prices and reports that his servant is doing very well.

GLC03603.241

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