Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.053 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Annapolis, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 13 December 1861 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Writes of the excellent service that Joseph B. Burlingame, the soldier from Company D, is providing. Says it may be possible to keep him as a servant even though he is a soldier. Has received a letter from William Tucker addressed to "CMC Adjt Genl 8th Regt C.V." Mentions that there are 958 men in his regiment, including the commanding officers. Believes that the division will have a very pleasant expedition because Burnside is married to Cameron's daughter and Coit does not believe he would send his son-in-law into dangerous situations.
Annapolis, Md. Dec 13 I feel real clever this morning. I have just finished a first rate breakfast of oysters fryed in cracker crumbs & coffee. The man detailed from Co. D Jos. B. Burlingame from willimantic bought a quart of oysters, opened for hire for twelve cents & fixed part of them this morning for my breakfast. I never ate better oysters in my life. I do hope I can in some way manage to keep this man tho' I hardly know how to do it, he wishes very much to stay & we seem to suit each other. If I can arrange to keep him it will cost $24.50 per month every thing included, food & all. He would be simply detailed from his Co & would receive his food & clothing & pay from the Government but in making out our muster Rolls for payment I should write after my name that I employed a soldier as servant & have in making out my payroll the paymaster would allow me nothing for servant so one would balance the other. I hope to do this for the Co clerk job that price I would almost pay that to have him take care of the horse, he has now had the care of him three days & he is a different horse already. Jos understands horses & loves to work over them he spends most of his time fussing over him & feeding him & he is entirely greatly informed say he will have him looking as fat & gay as any of them if he can take care of him & I think he would then he is a nice affirming handy neat trim fellow & I like him very much. I write this fully as you have known so much about servants lately. we are to be reviewed (the 2d Brigade) this afternoon, by whom I dont know, Gen Foster I suppose Harland will command the Brigade, his first appearance, he asked me whether I would go as Adjt or Act Gehl & told him I would prefer Adjt & he said he was rather glad I preferred the Adjt position as he would not know what to do with me as Act. Gehl, (ha, ha) I think he has considerable confidence in me & tell me what he keeps from others. our Regt have been practicing firing at targets lately & want to go with them but have been too busy as yet. recd a special invitation to go with Co. D. to day but cant spare time. Was engaged more than half yesterday with Major & our two men building shed for our horses & we made a nice tight one, the best here. I forgot to say that the major hired the Q Master's man. I went to see the Q. M. so that he would not think I had been try to get his man away & in mean time the man went to major who hired him without saying a word to Q.M. I did only as I should wish another to do by me. our major is very independent & does as he likes and dares the consequences. I prefer my man Jos to William if I can only keep him but I dont like detailing him from his Co. Recd a letter from Wm Tucker directed to CMC Adjt Genl 8th Regt C.V. I hardly expected to get a title like that at present as there is but one Adjt Genl in the U.S. Army. Mr. Woolley our Chaplain has been to Ct, says he saw a cousin of mine in Hartford (Mr Sam Coit I think) who said he should see you soon & would tell you he had seen me, I was very glad. we have 958 men including com. off. in the Regt the chaplain is not included as he is not reckoned in the strength of the command. Dr. Lathrop is detailed (to take charge I believe) of the Genl Hospital in city I am very sorry to have him away from us but i suppose he returns to us when we move of which I see no sign at present. There is a strong impression here that we shall have as pleasant an expedition as possible because Burnside married Cameron's daughter & they think Cameron will do well by his son in law & not send him in to any very great danger. I am writing longer than I ought with best love & regards to all & every body do remember me always to Uncle G. & aunt Mary. I meant to have written something about pay but it is too late now. Chas.
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.