Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.063 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Annapolis, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 January 1862 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes that he has been paid and will be sending money soon. The regiment has been assigned to sail on the H. J. Brookman and the Steamboat Chasser. They are expected to sail the next day. Mentions that he hopes his horse dies on the passage.
Annapolis Md Jany 4 Afternoon
Dear All, The Paymaster is here & my tent is & has been full all the time he is working so I could not write by mail to day, though if I had known it was Saturday i would have written a line at least. Yours of the 2d inclosing note written by uncice Geo I have just received. I am so glad I had previously sent a note which I hope you rec'd in time for the renewal. I have received $270 & shall send you by express or by draft $200 as soon as I can get down Monday it is too late to day. one thing while I think of it. I paid the Express on the saddle from Hartford back to Norwich. I suppose if the money reaches you soon it will save the discount on the new note. We have been assigned our vessel - the Bastine Queen - it is a large first rate steamer. We are much pleased with it probably Genl Parke & Staff will go on with it, so he considers it a good one, this a great thing I consider it. Sunday afternoon - I was wrong about the vessel we were to go on The 8th are assigned the barque H. J. Brockman (if I remember the name) and the steamboat chasseur (dont know how to spell it) The Col & staff will probable go on the former. I do not think we are going far enough to meet any of the dangers of the deep if we were though a sailing vessel is much safer than any steamer. I think we are to co operate with Genl McClellan in an advance movement though I know nothing about it. I doubt if we sail much farther than Fortress Monroe where part of our fleet are now. we are ordered on board tomorrow but probably shall not leave the harbor for several days very likely more than a week. I understand Harland that on board the barque we shall (the Field staff) have state rooms & bedding & our meals will be prepared for us. Our horses will all go on a separate vessel & I hope mine will die on the passage.
we are of course very busy to day even the chapel service are disposed with though I think very unnecessarily. I have a good deal of writing to do also my packing Lt. Col. Terry & I will pack both our stoves & cooking utensils together in a box perhaps the old Pomfret chest & so hope to carry them. I hate to leave the old chest & some of the tin pans but cant carry them will not pay to express them home, particularly if we pay double express as seems my luck. I sent you by express this morning $200, I inclose receipt I wish it was more Dr. Storrs has just brought me two bed quilts. I dont know how I can carry more than one thats all I asked for, it was very cold last night I wanted more clothes in this large tent warmer to day. would like to have spent this day more like the holy day it is but must work a large part of it. Shall probably write tomorrow from on board ship. Must stop now may add something before mailing. Your loving son & bro Chas.
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