26 February 1822

Peirce, Levi, 1773-1847

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Seeks advice about his liability in a local matter in which he was bondsman for a tax collector. Asks about specific charges he might be liable for.

GLC06313.04.162

26 February 1822

Sampson, Zabdiel, 1781-1828

Autograph letter signed

Title: to Aaron Hobart

Discusses the upcoming selection of candidates for state senate. Discusses the suggestion that Sampson's salary (as district Collector) be abolished and thanks Hobart for being against it. Comments on the bill (with the salary provision) and its possible negative effects on shipping at length. Notes thoughts and worries of "Our merchants & fishermen" in regard to the Mackerel Fishery Bill.

GLC06313.04.163

29 May 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he is not very busy and that his "chief employment is battling the flies." Mentions that he plans on visiting Lake Drumond with a group of other officers and that they are to be "poled out by a couple of darkies, the distance is 12 or 15 miles and directly through Dismal Swamp." Notes that he has requested a leave of absence so that he can take care of some business at a savings bank. Says that he has an excellent new servant who keeps things very clean. Describes the foods he has been eating which include codfish balls and strawberries. Writes that he is suspicious of his…

GLC03603.237

8 June 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of his trip to Baltimore to take care of a savings bank matter. Notes that he has seen Cousin Ellen, Becky, John, James and wife and Mrs. Dr. Elisha. Says that he felt unprepared for visiting and feels he made a fool of himself.

GLC03603.239

12 June 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes his trip to Baltimore, Maryland and how pleasant it was to see pretty shop windows and the faces of women. Writes again of seeing his cousin Ellen and his discomfort with being there and not being offered time or room to clean up. Provides more details about the rest of his visits. Encloses a pressed magnolia from Dismal Swamp.

GLC03603.240

23 June 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that they are still waiting to leave for battle. Believes that the higher-ups want to learn the outcome of the battle between [General Joseph] Hooker and [General Rovert E.] Lee before sending reinforcements.

GLC03603.245

10 September 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of being "ordered off" to the Army of the Potomac and then being relieved of that duty because another soldier wanted to go to Washington to pick up his pay. Says that Colonel Otis strives to make everything "as pleasant for us as possible." Hopes to be home soon. Gives a rather poor review of Alfred Goddard's service.

GLC03603.252

10 March 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes jokingly that his family constantly suffers from illnesses while he is "growing fat and hearty." Mentions that General Hunt is to be relieved. Notes that his time is spent straightening out the account books and drilling the new recruits. The chaplain has asked the officers to sign a pledge to abstain from "liquor as a beverage." Says that they will probably remain in the same camp until mid-June.

GLC03603.257

15 March 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes of the lull in activity for officers in the camp. He is reading a book titled "Hard Cash." Describes a problem with the Ordinance Officer over vouchers.

GLC03603.261

6 April 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother and sister

Writes that most of the normal camp activities have been suspended because of bad weather and that he is working on supply and logistic reports. Says the he also passes the time whittling, reading the "Atlantic," and playing chess. Requests the weekly edition of the New York Times and says he likes its coverage of the war best. Responds to news from home and says he hopes that "Wm. A. B." has won the recent election.

GLC03603.266

12 May 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes aboard the "The George Washington" that they are landing at City Point. Says that he does not believe that there will be any fighting and is unsure of where they are headed afterwards.

GLC03603.278

18 August 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes from camp Bermuda that he awaits the return of papers that he accidentally sent home. He will loose pay without them. He writes that a group of soldiers coming to join the picket line were attacked by rebel soldiers and wounded.

GLC03603.313

17 October 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes that he has inspected the whole Brigade (5 Regiments) and that his hand is tired from writing. He describes the content of the inspection blanks. He writes that he has received a commission as Major, which he considers an insult and plans to decline. He intends to obtain a staff position. He believes he has done his full duty and wishes that someone else would try to fill his shoes and uphold the reputation that he has worked hard to create and maintain. He writes that he is frequently asked why he has not been promoted and that it has embarrassed him. Now he will be able to say…

GLC03603.326

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