Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.237 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Suffolk, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 29 May 1863 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Writes that he is not very busy and that his "chief employment is battling the flies." Mentions that he plans on visiting Lake Drumond with a group of other officers and that they are to be "poled out by a couple of darkies, the distance is 12 or 15 miles and directly through Dismal Swamp." Notes that he has requested a leave of absence so that he can take care of some business at a savings bank. Says that he has an excellent new servant who keeps things very clean. Describes the foods he has been eating which include codfish balls and strawberries. Writes that he is suspicious of his servant because he is so good and charges a low price (only $10 a month). Says that he has heard rumors of the regiment moving west. Writes, "The prospect of a speedy capture seems to be dissolving and fading a way farther and farther each day."
(up margin first page) Hope to be paid off every day shall have to ask for a little if it dont come pretty soon
Ft. Jerico Suffolk
Friday P.M.
Dear All, I have been trying to sit down & write you during the last two or three days but I am living such as lazy life that I can't make up my mind to do any thing. My chief employment is battling the flies. Its very strange but while all the other officers are on duty every second or third day I lie off at my ease. Every private in the Regt is on picket every other day. I seem to be alone in my glory but for all that I shant ask the colonel to detail me for any thing. Tomorrow I expect to visit Lake Drum mond in company with col. ward, Dr. Storrs, & quite a number of the officers. There is a little canal running out there & we are to be - poled - out by a couple of darkies, the distance is 12 or 15 miles & directly thro' the Dismal Swamp. I anticipate much pleasure. (upside down bottom margin first page) Please tell Mr. Ward that I hope to forward the power of Atty. complete. To day I sent in an application for leave to visit Norfolk & Ft. Monroe. I wish to go to execute that power of Atty: for the savings Bank. If I cannot accomplish it at Nor or Ft. M. I shall go to Genl Dix at the Fortress & try to get leave to go on to Baltimore: I have forgotton what us officials can review acknowledgements in case of their bands & I am sure I cannot find a Notary Public short of Baltimore. In my last letter I wrote that I had just hired a new man. I like him very much. I am boarding myself alone now & I find him a first rate cook & - real clean - our thing is truly remarkable, he always washes all the dishes immediately after every meal & they are always clean. I must tell you what sumptuous meals I have now-a-days. This morning for Breakfst had coffee, fresh fish, fried codfish balls, boiled eggs, boiled potatoes, bread & butter & - strawberries - for Dinner - Fresh Mackeral fried, codfish balls, boiled potatoes, asparagus, lettuce. I get all the vegetables & greens that I can. I had none at all last year & have had none this spring until the last two days. You should see me as I sit down to the table & chuckle over every thing; it is so different from what I have been having & every thing so clean & nice. I never enjoyed my meals so much. I am always ready for them & I make long sittings - take my own time. If I was sure we were to remain here or in this neighborhood I believe I should ask you to send me some white china dishes & a table cloth - ha ha, I wish Geo. could come to me now. My boy - "Bill" - is fine, came from Washing ton D.C. & has been with the army nearly two years & understands his business. I can't underst and how I have him so fortunate as to pick up this boy & the low price of ten dollars per month. I fear there is something about him that is not right. He left his old place with the intention of returning to Washington but could get no farther than Suffolk. oh! I heard today that Hinsdale of New Haven had just given up the Express bus- iness & I fear that Frank Leavens will be stupid & not send it right on by Adam's Ex. Co. I need the things now & Adams is bringing Express directly thro'. I am very sorry I told you to send by Hinsdale. I think flies will swarm me before I can finish this note. we have all kinds of rumors of our moving & that we are going west & that we are only going to Portsmouth. The 1st and Third Brigades of our Div- ision are near Portsmouth now. A new line of fortifications is being erected extending from the Nansemond to the Elizabeth River. I have looked on the map & think that last sentence must be wrong. I think the forticiations must extend from a creek just East of Portsmouth to the Elizabeth. what are we to believe of Grant & Vicksburg. The prospect of a speedy capture seems to be dissolving & fading a way farther & farther each day. I do pray he may succeed but it may not be for the best. I had hoped for a letter from you all today, but am disappointed. I would like George to send me a check on New York for the whole amount of company savings. I suppose Geo. is to busy to write lately. God bless him. Remember me to Uncle Geo. & Aunt Mary. Best love to those at home, Chas
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