Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.013 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Jamaica, Long Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 20 October 1861 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes about the activities of setting up the encampment and of the use of nearby farmhouses for shelter and food. Mentions that he is dreading the Dress Parade. Closes by saying he must form the regiment for church.
20th Sunday. 2 o'clock PM
A funny Sunday too. Hard at work all day. Marvin wait is now copying for me, writing as I have had to go yesterday & to day on a board on army? We are going to church at 3. I began reading a chapter this morning but had to give it up & go to work at my report & Regimental Orders. Every body is hard at work completing the Encampment. Have conducted Guard mounting twice, got through pretty well, we have our first Dress Parade at S to night. I dread it. John Henry & Theo Perkins are here & will take this line to N.York so you will get it at 8 to morrow morning. I have new experiences each day but I cannot write them now. I do like this life much but I found the floor last night rather hard. I am out in the open air so much that I can sleep any where & eat any thing we dine at a farm house near here & am well fed. we are now sleeping in an unoccupied house on the camp ground, sleep on the floor with my blankets. Some thing of a change in my life but I can not regret it. I sometimes think of the folks at home I hardly believe I shall forget them if we are gone three years, yet I am too busy to be homesick, there is something to be done each hour. I wish I had time to write off the detail of duties for each day beginning at Reveille at 6 A.M., & closing with Taps at 10 P.M. Mr. Woolley our parson will preach in the congl church to day, the Regiment will go to hear him. Some young man came here this morning - I must close & form the Reg for church
Chas
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