Our Collection

At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878 to his family

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.293 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878 Place Written: Point of Rocks, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 June 1864 Pagination: 4 p. : Order a Copy

Writes that his personal conditions have improved and that he has been reunited with his luggage and his wall tent. The 8th Regiment, along with Burnside's other regiments will be transferred to the 9th Corps. Mentions the leadership implications of this transfer. He gives his opinions on General Smith. Comments that he sees the Army of the Potomac as an immense hoard where "individuals, regiments or brigades are as nothing." Tells a story in which General Smith dismissed a work team who were repairing a road because it was Sunday and there was to be no working.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources