18-19 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He starts "Praised to God I am entirely free from even a scratch after the terrible + bloody battle of yesterday." Describes the Battle of Antietam and says that Lieutenant Eaton and Lieutenant Shepard were both wounded. Believes the regiment acted "beyond all praise." Describes the way the men under his command asked permission to break ranks after being wounded. Discusses the injuries and deaths of others and says he believes that their Regiment was beaten because they did not have proper support. Estimates that only half of the 8th Regiment left the battle without being wounded or dying.

GLC03603.144

19 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes more about the outcome of the battle. The regiment has guarded a bridge most of the day while the rebel soldiers have possession of the battlefield. Some of the dead and wounded Union troops are still in the field but cannot be retrieved. Counts that there are 19 or 20 dead and wounded from the 8th Regiment. Lieutenant Wait's body was later recovered from the field. His watch and other possessions had been stolen.

GLC03603.145

4 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been ill and has had a hard time marching. Has been treating his head and stomach pain with brandy. Believes his illness is being caused by drinking water that has traces of lime from limestone in it. The doctor tells him to mix cider vinegar with the water to counteract the effects. Also writes of having seen his Uncle William.

GLC03603.147

4 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports that the second member of the 8th regiment died from his battle wounds. Coit responds to newspaper coverage of the battle that fails to mention the 8th Regiment as being present. Also cites the accompanying newspaper art as inaccurate. Writes a more detailed account of the death of Lieutenant Marvin Wait, who was not dragged off the field after he was injured and was left when the 8th Regiment was forced to retreat from the field. Writes of finding his body the next day when he had been sure that Wait would be carried to the hospital on neutral ground.

GLC03603.148

5 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes to ask that his brother, George, request "muster rolls" from Lieutenant Shepard, who has been sent back to Norwich to recuperate after being wounded.

GLC03603.149

7 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they will be traveling to Pleasant Valley and that he hopes he will be given leave to visit Baltimore for the day to get some new clothes. Says that he is so ashamed of his appearance that he hardly talks to anyone.

GLC03603.150

10 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Lieutenant Eaton

Responds to news of the Lieutenant's wounds healing, and expresses hope that he will return to the regiment in time for the winter campaign. Reports that Peter Mann and John A. Dixon have died of their battle wounds. This copy is a draft of a letter that he sent to his family.

GLC03603.152

10 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to "Luff"[Lieutenant Shepard]

Jokes about returning to Army life and about the Lieutenant's wound. Also jokingly lists his daily duties.

GLC03603.153

14 October 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: unknown

Writes that he is doing well and describes what he had for breakfast.

GLC03603.154

1 November 1862

Arms, E.P., fl. 1862

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles Morgan Coit

Writes to request more information about the money for the monument to Dr. Lathrop. Asks where the money is deposited and what sort of monument the donors of the money had in mind.

GLC03603.160

3 November 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to A. P. Arms

Writes in response to the request for information about the monument fund for Dr. Lathrop. Encloses the bank draft for the account containing $307, collected from the men of the 8th Regiment.

GLC03603.161

1861-1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Document

Title: [Document concerning monument to Dr. Lathrop]

A draft of a document outlining the intention to honor Dr. Lathrop with a monument and an account ledger keeping track of which members of the 8th Regiment had donated to the fund and the amounts of their donations.

GLC03603.162

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

26 December 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes waking and reading aloud the "testimony of generals before the Conduct of the War Comm." and then preparing and eating a large Christmas dinner. Describes trying to make "lasses candy" and suspending "a Castor trimmed with evergreen and candles from the ridge pole as a chandelier." Says that General Sumner does not grant furloughs unless there is some sort of emergency. Of General Sumner he says "An old "Bull" he is indeed & I don't like him." Captain Sheffield returned after recovering with a wound and brought two recruits with him. Asks his family to keep the secret that "…

GLC03603.176

9 January 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Thanks his family for sending the handkerchief, towel and knife. Describes the behavior of Lieutenant Shepard who seems to be having a hard time adjusting to army life after recuperating from his wounds at home. Writes about what a good man Lieutenant Alan T. Goodrich is. Also writes that he is growing fat.

GLC03603.180

10 January 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes a new military plan that is meant to alleviate the financial pressure caused by the long period of time between visits from the paymaster. The new plan allows officers to purchase two rations of food daily in order to feed servants that had otherwise been fed using the officers pocket money. Jokes that once their money runs out, all the officers will be forced to resign. Reports that he and the other officers blame General Sumner for this unfair plan.

GLC03603.181

16 January 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been using his new knife and passed part of an evening whittling. Gives an update to the news of Sumner's order regarding food purchase at the commissary. An order by General Burnside has dictated that the men may purchase whatever they would like from the commissary at the prices the government pays. Writes of his fondness for photographs of his family and about the general craze for photographs by the other men. His family has sent him $5 and he feels terrible that he has not been able to send any home.

GLC03603.183

26 January 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes a short comment on an official notice from Assistant Adjutant General Lewis Richmond announcing that the command of the Army of the Potomac will be transferred from General Burnside to Joseph Hooker. Writes that it is a sorry day for the 9th Corps.

GLC03603.185.1

1 February 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Believes the winter campaign to be over. More men are allowed furloughs and there are plans to improve the camps. Hopes that arrangements will be made to have better mail service and that the sutlers will be supplied more efficiently.

GLC03603.187

5 February 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

8 February 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes their early-morning departure from their camp near Fredericksburg and the trip on the steamer John Brooks. The men still do not know where they are headed, though Coit still suspects that the destination will be the Carolinas. Writes that he is troubled at how he has not honored the Sabbath day in about 15 months and says he is trying to be more particular about his behavior. Written near Fort Monroe in Virginia.

GLC03603.189

9 February 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes a short letter to say that they have arrived at Newport News. Expects that this is a rendezvous point and does not anticipate a long stay.

GLC03603.190

9 February 1863

Greene, Edward C., fl. 1863

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Charles M. Coit

Writes asking if he will accept the enclosed gift of field glasses. She was unable to present them at the time of his visit home.

GLC03603.191