Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878 to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.276 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878 Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 17 May 1864 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes that he has returned to a camp in an undetermined location after being beaten in battle by a much smaller force. Describes fighting in dense fog at the command of Colonel Smith. Says that the regiment split during battle and Coit and many other men got lost in the woods. Notes that he and a few other men occupied a brick house and held it. Writes that many men were wounded and others fell into enemy hands. "I never felt so perfectly above all fear as during the heavy fighting early in the day, the crisis seemed too great for any such personal feeling and through it all with the bullets striking every thing round me and shells exploding constantly I had the most perfect assurance that I was safe." Notes that the regiment lost 63 men and that he is surprised not to be a prisoner. In closing says "God is very good to me."
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