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

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.049 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Annapolis, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 7 December 1861 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy

Written on Chelsea Savings Bank stationary. Writes about praise given to him by General Foster regarding his "correct"ness when completing forms and reports. Mentions that he has sent $40 by express. Believes he has found a new servant.

(letterhead) Lorenzo Blackstone, President Charles M. Coit, Sec'y and Treas. Incorporated 1858 Chelsea savings Bank. Norwich, Ct., Dec 7, 1861 Yesterday so warm & such a lazy day that i did not write you I did as little as possible in afternoon left any writing & went outside of the Guard & laid down on a rail fence & sunned myself - no coat or hat on - for half an hour or more. Had quite a compliment paid me night before last. was in Lt. Col.'s tent with or. Storrs talking about discharging one of our men & the Lt. Col. said that Genl Foster told the man to get Adjt Coit to make out his papers as they had found me more correct than anybody else. I dont at all think Gen. F. ever said anything of kind. Capt. Hoffman might have said something which served a foundation & the Lt. Col. worked it up. I have no doubt he is great at that if he feels disposed. But without any boasting I am confident that Capt. H. has a pretty good opinion of knowledge of Reports for in one item where my Reports differed from his instructions he told me to continue to report as I thought right & he would write for further instructions for I could raise more objections to his method than he to mine. he said I had evidently studied that subject more than he had. & he would not have proposed me as A.Ajt.Gen & given me the most ignorant Adjts to deal with unlefs he thought I was pretty well posted, but I must admit I have neglected many other things particularly drills while training this, I thought there was the most immediate need of correct reports. I like Capt. Hoffman very much & am greatly obliged to CCJ for his introduction. I dont believe there is any probability of Harland being made Brig & even less of my being appointed A A Genl but it is very pleasant & good talk to serve in that capacity for even a short time, tho' it makes consider able work. sent forty dolls $40 to you by Express yesterday instead of writing thought it might be quite as acceptible though I then intended to write also.. Rec'd a note last night from Harry Lord or Lundy or something saying a rel - ative of mine Mrs Dr Perkins was staying with his mother & wished to see me & the camp shall go down to day as early as I can Intended to write about other things but I have boasted so much that there is no room or time left. Stanton will leave soon I shall take a man here, that Johnson has found on trial so I shall not be without any one & he may prove just the man. Love to all Chas.

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

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