Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.234 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Suffolk, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 21 May 1863 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes that part of the regiment has been commanded to prepare three days rations and march as soon as possible. Coit and his company are to stay on duty at Fort Jerico. Says that there is nothing for him or the company to do at the fort and that he stays in his hammock most of the day. Requests more underclothes and says that his trunk is nearly full.
Camp Suffolk May 21 P.M.
Dear All.
Last evening while I was up at Camp getting my supplies (I walk up to camp for my meals) orders were recd for the Regt to prepare three days rations & to march as soon as possible to report to Genl Concoran at Deserted House about 10 or 12 miles out towards the Blackwater. I immediately went to Col. Ward to see whether or no I would go, as my Co. you remember is detached & on duty at Ft. Jerico, but he could not tell me & said he was going to Hd. Qts. to ascertain. As my going or remaining was uncertain I thought best to be on safe side & therefor had rations send down & went down myself & set the cook to preparing the rations & I packed my trunk & got every thing ready to march. Receiving no further notice from the Coln about 9 PM I again went up to camp & found that I was to remain at the fort. I did not offer the first objection. I shall certainly not ask the privelege of joining any marches as long as this hot weather continues particularly so long as I am without a servant. I gave my Jim a pass to go to Norfolk & spend a day at home & he has extended the day to the present time, about ten days. I liked him very much & am sorry to lose him. The boys have had a good deal of trouble since the "seige" commenced as the Provost Guard have caught them whereever they could & set them at work in the Forts. The Q.M. has just been in & brings word from the Regt - they are about ten miles, one Company on Picket & all pretty tired & dirty after the march in the heat & dust. No enemy appears in their front. Genl Concoran is at Windsor six miles to the right of Deserted House & he is there seeing some skirmishing with the Rebs. I presume our troops are sent out to protect a working party who are taking up the track of the R & S RR Co. we hear that the Rebs carried off part of it & we propose to save the remainder. Yours of the 15th inst. is recd. I wish you could look in upon me as I lie all day long in my hammock (My duties here are just nothing at all & I am relieved from all duties with the Regt.) I would like you to sit on my - tete-a-tete - (I that right) that the boys have made me out of a big grape vine &c - it is so pretty that I wish you had it in the garden. Glad to hear the garden is progressing so finely this season - hope I may be able to get home & partake of the produce this summer. About the shirts I like either of the patterns you sent. The most important item is the size to allow for shrinkage large sleeves & body. If you have not started please send some cotton socks & drawers if I have them. I have a tremendous sight of underclothing on hand. Do you remember the woolen shirt I had there a few winters ago. A kind of slate color. I think that was rather pretty. What do they cost? I'd rather like one or two of the blue cotton shirts but my trunk is full now. won't Geo. have to study pretty hard to be ready for examination by the end of July. Must close & carry this to camp or loose the mail I have been intending to write every day but having nothing to do I do - nothing - & grow - lazy -. Love to all Chas Notes: Transcript provided by Eighth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Co.A, Inc.
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