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

Monday evening Octo 21, '61 Head Quarters 8 Reg Cv. Camp Buckingham, Jamaica
Have had Dress Parade & my friends have congratulated me & say I did very well. Col says the Parade was better then he expected I wish you all could see the Reg in line during the Parade, it is a splendid sight cant you come down during our stay as you talked after we have had a little more drill we shall make a very creditable appearance. I want you all to see the Reg. together over at last. we had a jolly time at the supper table after Parade, the complete staff was on hand at Dress Parade & the surgeons & chaplain were entirely green we have a grand laugh over the mistakes &c. I have favored to our meals with real pleasure I have never been assisted as intimately with such pleasant & gentlemen men. The first order I gave at the parade my voice broke quite badly & I fully expected it would give out before I got through but I had no farther trouble. I never was more at home in my life, I did not feel confused & was not even nervous so you see this life agrees with me. there were a great many visitors on the ground & I stood on giving my first orders in a crowd of ladies yet but I didnt seem to care for any thing. I made several mistakes but not bad ones. I shall look forward to the next with more of pleasure than dread. I think its fun to stand and "holler" with all my might & see the effect in the change of position of Reg. The people round here are very kind, quite a number of cartloads of bread have been distributed free to the Reg & this afternoon several bushels of apples were piled in the corner of my room from the men & a pile of selected ones in the Col's for the Field staff. We - the Field & staff - are living in an unoccupied house just at the corner of the camp ground. said house is haunted so say the neighbors but we have not seen the ghosts as yet, neither do we lie awake nights for fear of them. I have some boards slanted against the wall & sitting on my trunk it makes quite a respectable writing desk an improvement upon the board on my knee used first. I saw Gen. Burnside at Hunter's Point while waiting the cars for this place the afternoon we arrived. I am glad we are under him I was much pleased with him, no red tape where he is & he is so pleasant social. we may remain at Jamaica but a day or two, may go to some other part of the Island, or anywhere we are the first Reg reported in the Burnside Brigade & there will be no better one I know. I expected a letter to day, we have rec'd our mail from Hempstead but none for me. I dons understand why. I hope nothing is wrong I cannot help feeling a little worried for I thought I shouild have one certainly. I began to say in one of my letters that a young man called on me Saturday or Sunday & said Mrs Jenkins wished me to call on here at 62 Columbia St Brooklyn or she should come out here to see me. I cant call of course I do not expect to leave town while we are encamped here I shall not have time. Have you heard anytihng now from Genl Casey I dont think I should accept any way now. I like here so much. Did George tell you what a splendid boquet I received in front of the state House as we were leaving Hartford. I rarely ever saw afraid men take roses, viburnas, heliotropes, &c. The State Room used by the Col & my self on the boat was filled with the perfume from it that night & the next day & I brought it through all the hurly burly & it now graces the mantle piece of our dining room. it was one of the very first green house boquets & two cards came with it. Miss L.C. Collins of Hartford & Miss Chuver of Providence, R.I.
It is half past nine & I must find our Drum Major & have the Tattoo sounded, then at ten we close the day with Taps after which all noise must cease & lights be put out in camp. I began this day by moonlight, it was very light but the sun seemed a great while getting up. I wish if you can you would me that old Dresing gown I used to wear, it would be warmer & pleasanter to sleep in than blankets I think it might be sent in the little carprt bag if you can draw it, with a pair of cheap slippers no. 7. Col. Cunningham's man has written to a friend of his to be my servant. he is highly recommended & if he comes will probably come quite cheap but I shall have to help about his outfit. I made a past mistake in starting without a servant. I shant have much money to send home. I fear before next pay day two months hence, everything thus far has been cash. I suppose the note left with the Norwich Bank due in November will supply you for the persent but I thought I should be almost able to pay for my nervous old horse. He does not behave very well but I think I can have him in time. Good night, all in the house have been in bed for some time but my self & I was the first one up. How I would like to see you all at home. Home & every thing connected with it grows dim each day I am glad I am to busy to think more about it I am afraid I should be homesick. You aff son & Bro Chas Friday noon. Think I shall have a letter this P.M. dont know that I was even so busy without hearing before from home. Nothing new except our additional sopply of grapes for the Hospital &CC
My letters leave here at 3 PM what time do you receive them.