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

January 10, 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

January 16, 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

January 26, 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

February 1, 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

February 5, 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

February 11, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes to request a bigger valise and reports having sold the one his family had sent to him for a $1 profit. Says that Colonel Harland is on his way to Norwich for a 15-day furlough and that he would like his family to send a new valise with him on his way back. Also requests a silk handkerchief, towels, a sash and a regulation hat. Then modifies his request to ask that his trunk be sent back to him with a longer list of items to enclose.

GLC03603.194

February 11, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has been using the field glass that Miss Greene sent him. Asks advice on what he should write to thank her. Asks how to address her in a letter: "Is she "dear Madame" or what." Also writes that the long lost Harper's Ferry bundle that his family sent finally arrived. Believes that they are traveling to Suffolk and requests a valise rather than his trunk.

GLC03603.195

February 25, 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Encloses of draft of a thank you letter to Miss Greene. Thanks her for the glass and says that he is sure that no one can possibly understand how much the soldiers appreciate remembrances of home. Expresses a commitment to "crush this wicked rebellion and hasten the time when we once more return to dear old Connecticut." Describes seeing a review of the 9th Corps. Writes "I truly think the Connecticut brigade surpasses all others in marching and general appearance." Mentions that he would like to invite George to visit once he has a wall tent.

GLC03603.198

2 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he has a wall tent to himself and gives directions for George to come for a visit.

GLC03603.199

4 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that George should bring a knife and fork with him on his visit. Mentions seeing Kate Lott of New London at the review. Says that he doesn't "think the army is any place for ladies to visit and I should prefer to have all my lady friends stay a great way off." Writes that he believes that General Burnside will once again be in charge of the 9th Corps.

GLC03603.200

6 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

He writes on his way back to camp after a visit home. He is traveling by rail and ferry and writes about leaving his scarf on-board the train. Written "All Along Shore."

GLC03603.201

9 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes in anticipation of his brother's arrival. Hopes that they will have another large review while his brother is present. He writes that he really enjoyed an article that his mother has sent to him: "How a free people conduct a long war" by Charles J. Stills. He closes the letter with a note about seeing his brother on the dock, grinning as he comes to pick him up.

GLC03603.204

18 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that he was regretful for sending George away so suddenly. He did so because of a rumor that the regiment might be involved in a battle. Some officers have their wives with them. Says that he has heard from Cousin Lemuel that George is very interested in going to war. Remarks that he was involved in a skirmish near Blackwater. He also says that the camp at Suffolk is "strongly fortified" with forts on every side.

GLC03603.211

22 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Thanks his mother for sending the newspapers and clippings. Writes of experiencing a very bad snow storm and the poor conditions of the enlisted mens' shelters. Whiskey was served to the entire regiment for warmth. Believes that his regiment is there merely to hold the land that has been captured. Gives a summary of what has happened to the men who were wounded at Antietam. Requests more photographs to trade. Written at Camp Suffolk.

GLC03603.212

18 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: Charles Morgan Coit to George O. Coit

Writes that he wishes George could have come with him but that it was a very long, cold journey from Newport News to Suffolk. Asks that George write him from Baltimore, Maryland. Written at Camp Suffolk.

GLC03603.213

25 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes that General Harland has told him that there is a chance that he will be made Major of the Regiment. Requests that his family keep this a secret as he is sure that it is only a slight possibility. Says that he is relieved that General [Ambrose] Burnside has once again assumed command over the 9th Regiment. Written at Camp Suffolk.

GLC03603.214

27 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family/Orderly Gammwell

Writes that he wishes that the receiver's furlong would be long enough to cast a vote for "the suppression of Rebellion". Makes reference to the Hartford Convention of 1863. A draft of a note written to Orderly Gammwell but sent to his family with an explanatory note at the end.

GLC03603.215

29 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Writes he and his company wish they could go back to Connecticut to vote on the Conscription Act, which calls for a draft and excuses men who can furnish a viable replacement or pay the government $300. Says he has heard that an officer cannot walk through the streets of Hartford, Connecticut without being deeply insulted. Writes of wounded men being laughed at by some of the same people who encouraged them to enlist. Notes he had a portrait taken.

GLC03603.216

29 March 1863

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Autograph letter signed

Title: to his family

Responds to questions from his family about fixtures in their rental properties. Expresses interest in the results of the election and requests that a chess set be sent to him via one of the Norwich men who are home on furlough. Writes that he has sent $370 via another solider traveling to Norwich last week. Writes of the weather getting warmer and of seeing daffodils bloom in the yards in Suffolk. Describes how the soldiers spend Sunday, with detail about what activities they avoid on the Sabbath. Says that he believes that Captain Hoyt would be of better service to the regiment if "he…

GLC03603.217