13 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about other regiments moving out of Fredericksburg and reacts to news that Bela Learned was wounded.

GLC03603.135

16 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes about a conversation he had with Colonel Harland about promotions and rank. Responds to news about who is enlisting in Norwich and writes that he knows his experience as an officer has been much better than that of the privates. Request shirts with pockets sewn into them and asks his family to preserve and season some tomatoes to send to him.

GLC03603.136

25 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes his Company going on a mission to round up stragglers and deserters. Writes about Dick Ripley, who has become the Hospital Steward. Reacts to news that his brother wishes to enlist as the paymaster's clerk. Thinks it might be a good job for his brother but insists that he is needed at home to help maintain the family's rental properties.

GLC03603.137

26 August 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Mentions the band and glee club performing. Compares General McClellan and General Burnside in respect to physical appearance, dress and character.

GLC03603.138

13 September 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that his regiment set up camp and were promptly called to support batteries. Reports that he and Lieutenant Shepard ate dinner at a private house. They have been expecting to be called into battle for a few days and are able to see other companies in battle in adjacent fields.

GLC03603.143

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

February 10, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Reports that morale has improved since leaving the muddiness of their former camp. The weather is "delightful" and he hopes that they will remain there for a few weeks. Reports that officers from the Nehant and the Galena, two ships that are anchored offshore, have introduced themselves and invited officers from the Regiment on board. Barry, his servant, has left for North Carolina.

GLC03603.192

February 8, 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

February 9, 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

February 10, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Describes how he accidentally mailed an envelope of blank envelopes instead of an envelope full of letters to his family.

GLC03603.193

February 18, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has given the photographs of himself to Captain Hoyt and Lieutenant Goodrich. Requests more because "the Officers are exchanging quite freely." Asks that his trunk be sent by express. Writes that he has heard that Captain Pasco Coit has lost property recently. Requests guidance on what to write to Miss Greene.

GLC03603.196

February 18, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that the mail deliveries are few and far between. Is still undecided on the issue of the valise and trunk because he is unsure of their destination and mode of travel. Writes that he has sent a picture of Lieutenant Goodrich in which he looks like he is ill.

GLC03603.197

February 28, 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

February 5- February 8,1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

The first part of this letter (5 February) is written while still onboard the Sentinel while the second part (8 February) is written after the Battle of Roanoke. Reports that the 8th Regiment sustained no loses. Coit was not very engaged in this fight and writes only of musket balls being fired over the heads of his regiment after going ashore. Discusses the color guard's flag being flown over the conquered rebel fort. A note at the end says "Oh if I could see you all to night I can now assure you that there is no fun in fighting…"

GLC03603.076

February 9, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Declares that his family need no longer fear for him as his regiment will be staying on Roanoke Island while other regiments move on.

GLC03603.077

February 10, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Comments that there are so many rumors about the battle that he would be glad to receive General Burnside's report when it appears in the newspaper. Gives more details about the battle and says "it was rather exciting stepping on hostile shores for the first time." Writes that there are 2000 rebel soldiers taken prisoner and that the Union now has control over the whole island.

GLC03603.078

February 28, 1862

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to 5 letters he has received from his family and reacts to news about his Uncle George's illness. Writes about taking a soldier from another company as his orderly until he is fully recovered. Mentions promotions within the regiment and again requests newspaper accounts of the battle of Roanoke. Written from Joshua Johnson's house on Roanoke Island.

GLC03603.080