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 brother

Order a pdf of this item here.

Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.125 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878 Place Written: Newport News, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18 July 1862 Pagination: 4 p. : Order a Copy

Writes about the ability to get day-old New York newspapers in Newport News and comments on the contents. Also mentions that he has in his company "two contrabands:" Napoleon and a 13-year-old who hid on the boat when they left Morehead. Pities the 13-year-old because of his lack of food source and shelter. Writes that more of the men from Norwich should take up arms and enlist in the army. Writes of the poor character of privates who have been under the watch of officers too long, and behave like "machines." Discusses their foolish behavior with money and with their rations, and describes army accounting procedure in reference to finances and food rations.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

Citation Guidelines for Online Resources