Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his mother and sister
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.266 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Deep Creek, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 6 April 1864 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Writes that most of the normal camp activities have been suspended because of bad weather and that he is working on supply and logistic reports. Says the he also passes the time whittling, reading the "Atlantic," and playing chess. Requests the weekly edition of the New York Times and says he likes its coverage of the war best. Responds to news from home and says he hopes that "Wm. A. B." has won the recent election.
Camp April 6, 1864.
Dear mother & sister, This week thus far has been a continued storm & most of our outside camp duties are suspended. I have been busy getting of my quarterly Returns of ordinance & Camp & Garrison Equipage & clothing & posting the Company book. I dont like Mr. Goddard's penmanship well enough to have him assist. In the intervals of labor I have amused myself reading the April "Atlantic", whittling & playing chess with Capt. Roberts & Alf. Goddard. Thus far neither of them have beaten me a game, two games with Alfred have been drawn, the remainder I have won. I like to show people that I can beat them at chess. Capt Hoyt went down to Norfolk Monday night & has not yet returned, so I am in command of the Regiment. I thought I should surely get a letter to day but there is no boat thro' from Baltimore & therefor no mail. In this out of the way place our mails from home bring all the news we get from the out- side world as well as the news from home for we are so far away from other troops that it does not pay the newspaper boys to come up here oftener than twice a week. There never was a time when the papers you send were more acceptable I wish for the present you would send me a - weekly - N.Y. Times each week, there I can follow the news & get all that's important I like the Times best as a military paper, I hope you will have a very pleasant visit in old Norwich, though you will have so much to do that I presume you be at work all the time. I always supposed that George would go on with you, the 1st day of April & dont yet understand why he did not unless it is that his term has not closed. I think he wrote that he should start for Norwich the 12th inst. so you will be alone almost two weeks & from Aunt Mary's letter I fear that you will not get the man (Alba I think the name was) you wanted to assist you so uncle Geo will have to collect the rents if George remains until the 12th I am sorry for that for I do think it is the meanest business in the world & I dont like to think that uncle Geo is bothered with that when he is not well. Do write me particularly about him. Aunt Mary's letter that you sent states that he was out that day, had driven down in a - closed - carriage to the Rolling Mill. I hope the rents will come in promptly. I dont see any prospect of our being paid off before the middle of next month - May - that's the earliest day probable at all. I saw the Pay master last week & he said the Rolls were all right & he was all ready but he had no money & had not received any intimation as he had expected from Washington that money would be sent during this month. I think it will run along until after another Muster day & then I hope we shall receive four months pay. There is one pleasant thought always in connection with not receiving pay when due & that is - that if you dont have the money you cant spend it & what you get in other ways you are more careful of, so in the end there is a little more than common to send home. If we dont get paid during this month I know you will have no surplus & will be obliged to convert another U.S. bond. I dont think I have waisted the money that I brought out with me this time but its most gone. Are expecting Col. Ward every day Election day is over suppose of course Wm. A. B. is the elected. I never wanted to vote as much before as this year. Do hope you are all well. Wrote Geo. a note last night. Shall certainly expect a letter tomorrow Good night Chas
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