18 April 1802

Spragins, Mel, fl. 1802-1819

Document signed

Title: [Warrant to the Halifax County jailer to hold three slaves convicted of participating in the Easter Plot]

Spragins orders the Halifax County jail keeper to receive into custody "the body of" Absolam, belonging to John Hillard (in GLC 6336.01 "Absalum" belonging to John "Hilyard"), Bob, belonging to Peter Barksdale, and Martin, belonging to Henry Bass. Docket indicates this is a mittimus (a type of warrant). Spragins was a justice of the peace. "...charged and convicted before me with consulting and conspireing to rebel and make insurrection and you the said Jailor are hereby required to...them safely keep till they shall be thence discharged by due course of Law."

GLC06338.07

17 April 1802

Spragins, Mel, fl. 1802-1819

Document signed

Title: [Writ of summons for the sheriff of Halifax County to summon county justices for a trial of slaves involved in the Easter Plot]

Writ of summons signed by Spragins and Dejurnatt (some ancestral records cite "Dejarnett," among various other spellings). Ordering the county sheriff to summon justices for a 23 April trial of "Sanco [Sancho] a Negro Man Slave now in possession of Richard Booker, Frank the property of Archer Robertson[,] Jim the property of James Booker and Phebey a Negro Woman Slave the property of Daniel Price." Notes that these four slaves were committed to county jail that day as per warrant.

GLC06338.08

17 April 1802

Spragins, Mel, fl. 1802-1819

Document signed

Title: [Warrant to the jailer of Halifax County to receive Abram, a slave, into custody until 23 April]

Spragins and Dejurnatt order the Halifax County jail keeper to receive into custody "Abram a Negro Man Slave the property of William Smith...he being a Witness in behalf of the Commonwealth" against Sanc[h]o, Frank, Jim and Phebey. A note at bottom specifies that "It is necessary that the above Witness be kept Separate from the persons he is a witness against." A note on verso states: "Sank [Sancho?] said he wd kill Danl Dijarnatt & take his wife. / Frank said he would take Danl. Perkins wife / Jim - [unclear if the latter is a signature or an unfinished sentence]." Docket indicates this…

GLC06338.09

17 April 1802

Spragins, Mel, fl. 1802-1819

Document signed

Title: [Warrant to the Halifax County jailer to receive the slaves Sancho, Frank, Jim, and Phebey into custody]

Spragins orders the Halifax County jail keeper to receive into custody "the body of Sancho a man slave now in the possession of Richard Booker of the s[ai]d County and said to be the property of John Booker of Amelia County Frank a negro man slave the property of Archer Robertson, Jim a man slave the property of James Booker and Phebey a negroe woman slave the property of David Price....and them safely keep till they shall be thence discharged by due course of Law." Docket indicates this is a mittimus (a type of warrant). Spragins was a justice of the peace. Also signed by [James?]…

GLC06338.10

18 April 1802

Spragins, Mel, fl. 1802-1819

Document signed

Title: [Writ of summons for the sheriff to call county justices for a trial of the slaves Bob, Absalum, and Martin]

Writ of summons, signed by Spragins, Ordering the county sheriff to summon justices for a 26 April trial of "Bob a Negro Man Slave the property of Peter Barksdale, Absalum a Negro Man Slave belonging to the Esta. of John Hilyard, Martin a Negroe Man Slave the property of Henry Bass...." Notes that these three slaves were committed to county jail that day as per warrant. A docket lists three personal names, at least one of which, "Abny's Ned," appears to be that of a slave.

GLC06338.11

3 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been to see Mr. C. Coit at his office. Requests that his family send him his "Tactics" which he left behind by accident. Describes the strangeness of wearing a uniform and being concerned with horses. Writes from the United States Hotel.

GLC03603.002

11 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Silas Casey

Writes to General Casey about the position of Aide de Camp. Says he would like to meet with General Casey in Washington but regrets that he will be unable to make it as his regiment is being ordered to Hempstead. Does not believe he is knowledgeable enough for the position but would like to learn. This letter is a first draft of the letter that Coit actually sent to General Casey. He enclosed the draft in the 12 October letter to his family. Writes from the United States Hotel.

GLC03603.008

12 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Comments on the Aide de Camp position and how he wishes he could leave the regiment to visit General Casey in Washington. Laments that he would have a hard time with the dictation aspect of the position because of his poor spelling. Writes from the United States Hotel.

GLC03603.009

14 October 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes a sermon he attended with the regiment on the subject of maliciousness. The regiment still has yet to leave Hartford but he states that they will leave on Wednesday afternoon (14 October was a Monday). Letter was fowarded to Coit's brother by Coit's mother. Written from the United States Hotel.

GLC03603.010

6 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother, sister and brother

Writes more about the hard journey to Annapolis and mentions that someone has stolen his rubber blanket. The regiment is housed in buildings belonging to the Recruits College.

GLC03603.025

13 November 1861

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

Encourages more letter-writing on his family's part. Describes his Sunday activities and writes of his Assistant Adjutant General not receiving the monthly report he worked on for nearly a whole day.

GLC03603.029

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

21 April 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of the construction of three batteries around Fort Macon for use during the attack on the Fort. Complains about faulty news coverage of the battles. Gives news of the death of Dr. Lathrop, one of the Division doctors. Tells of Major Appelman being wounded by a "spent grape-shot." He has sent in an order with the sutler to get fruit and farina from Newbern. He has still not fully recovered from his illness.

GLC03603.097

18 June 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he will attempt to take a furlong at the end of the month. Makes reference to staying at Miss S. G. C.'s house during his time off. Thanks his family for the photograph of his brother ("the young man in the Insurance Company"). Also scolds his family for spreading the information of him seizing the liquor from the soldiers.

GLC03603.114

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.

GLC03603.003

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