1861-1870

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Header Record

Title: Collection of Charles M. Coit, field and staff, 8th regiment, Connecticut, infantry [Decimalized .001-.345]

Charles Morgan Coit worked as a banker and lived with his family in Norwich, Connecticut. On 18 September 1861, at 23 years old, he enlisted in the Connecticut 8th Volunteer Infantry. During his time in the Union Army, he was promoted from 1st Lieutenant to Captain, to Major and finally to Lieutenant Colonel. Charles Morgan Coit's father, Charles Coit, had also served in the army and had been a Colonel at the time of his death in 1855. Charles M. Coit's mother, Sarah Perkins Coit; sister, Ellen Grosvenor Coit; and brother, George Douglass Coit; continued to live in Norwich and maintain the…

GLC03603

May 18, 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes that Quartermaster Merriam has given Coit his tent to make him more comfortable. They are camped 3-4 miles outside Manchester. Though he is in camp, he is considered sick and not on duty. He writes that he is putting off decisions about his future to see what pans out. He encloses a Richmond Times.

GLC03603.341

29 October 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his mother

He writes that he has been wounded in the shoulder and is in the hospital. The bullet is still lodged in his side. He requests his mother's presence and says the wound prevents him from writing.

GLC03603.329

25 October 1864

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He responds to his family's criticism over declining the promotion. One of the big issues determining wether or not to be mustered out is regiment size. Coit describes his own feelings on this as well as Captain Goodrich's. Coit continues to describe his desire for a staff position and the implications this would have for him.

GLC03603.330

2 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Coit is back in camp after his long convalescence. He is not yet on duty but has status as "sick". He writes about Colonel Coughlin, Captain Fleming and Lieutenant Colonelcy. He writes of trying to collect souvenirs for family friends. Written in Manchester neighborhood of Richmond

GLC03603.336

5 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Coit writes that he had the pleasure of telling Major Pratt that news of his promotion had been published in the Connecticut newspapers. He writes that Pratt told him that he was the one who deserved the promotion and that he would decline it if it meant that George would accept. He has heard a rumor that he will soon be detailed as Aid at Division Head Quarters of General Devens. He reacts to news from home about the management of the family business.

GLC03603.338

5 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to George Coit

He responds to news that his Uncle George attempted to influence Mr. Blackstone in order to secure a promotion for Charles. He writes that he is sending all his official papers to George's box. Written in Manchester neighborhood of Richmond

GLC03603.339

8 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes that he was about to turn in his application for muster but was persuaded by Major Pratt to wait a few days. He writes of the possibility that the regiment may soon be mustered out of service. He writes that he hardly knows any of the other officers as everyone he knew before he was wounded has left. He requests a particular copy of the Navy Journal. He writes that Sherman's Army is beginning to arrive at the camp.

GLC03603.340

23 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes of riding out with other officers to welcome Sherman's troops but getting lost and wet with rain along the way. He writes of seeing Mr. Birnie, Mr. Buckingham and Mr. Ripley in Richmond. He receives an order to escort the Springfield party "round the fortifications." He resists telling the guests the heroic tale of the 8th putting "the first colors on Ft. Harrison".

GLC03603.342

2 June 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He has just arrived in New York from Richmond and expects to reach New Haven very soon. He plans to see his Uncle William in Brooklyn.

GLC03603.343

27 May 1865

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes that he rode to Division Headquarters a Captain and back as a civilian. He describes his plans to travel home, stopping to see his Uncle William. He hopes to find a "situation" in New York immediately.

GLC03603.344

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