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

He writes that he has inspected the whole Brigade (5 Regiments) and that his hand is tired from writing. He describes the content of the inspection blanks. He writes that he has received a commission as Major, which he considers an insult and plans to decline. He intends to obtain a staff position. He believes he has done his full duty and wishes that someone else would try to fill his shoes and uphold the reputation that he has worked hard to create and maintain. He writes that he is frequently asked why he has not been promoted and that it has embarrassed him. Now he will be able to say that he has turned down promotion. He states that he would rather leave the noble regiment at its zenith rather than witness its inevitable decline. He writes that the Quartermaster told him that the regiment would "go to the dogs" if Coit left and that Colonel Ward planned to leave if Coit was also leaving. He writes that he is trying to get "some thing" for Mrs. Hotchkiss but that he is bad at getting "trophies." Asks if she would like an Indian arrowhead or a Rebel Hymn book that he found at Petersburg, Virginia. He also mentions that he has included General Order No. 134.