Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.022 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Jamaica, Long Island Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 31 October 1861 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes that his regiment has been told to be ready to march with a days notice. They will be heading to Annapolis and then "will be shifted South to Dixie's Land." Reflects very positively on General Burnside. Laments his lack of a servant and details the army stipend allowed to him to hire, clothe and feed a servant. Requests more letters from home and assures his family he enjoys them greatly. Written from Camp Buckingham.
Octo. 31, '61
Have just replied to an order from Genl Burnside commanding coast Division to be in readiness to march at one days notice that we should be ready when advised. we shall go from here to Annapolis (not to Staten Island and as I have always told you) where we may be quartered for few days perhaps weeks & then will be shifted south to Dixie's Land. Aside from being so far from home & the necessary infrequency of hearing from old Norwich, I prefer going on the coast to any where else & the farther south the better. of course no expedition will be sent out except of strength sufficient to 90 through and we shall probably have less fighting if any on such an expedition than almost any shoveler & it may amount simply to passing a pleasant winter in some southern city living on salt beef & hard bread. Genl Burnside is first rate, very skillful & as kind & considerate he is doing every thing he can for our comfort.
I have not found a servant yet. I hardly know what to do. Have written through these men here to two different ones, one declined & we hear nothing from the other. Can you write me in your next about the widow Williams man, what will he go for &c. what I need is a man entirely honest & faithful with some considerable energy & one who understands horses, though the last is not quite so necessary as the other points for there is a good many here who are acquainted with horses & I could ask advise of them in time. The Government allows me $24.50 per servant counting rations & clothing. cash only $13 (thirteen) the rations probably would not feed him, nor the allowance for clothing cloth him, thus I would have to pay his passage to this place or more likely to Annapolis. I dont think I ought to pay more than thirteen ($13) cash ofered him, he clothing himself. Your letter written 28th & mailed 29th was rec'd yesterday at noon. You seem to think I dont think much of letters from home. I can tell you I do. I dont think many people would with Bromley call my room a palace although it is a front roon. My furniture is the trunk upon which I am now sitting and my desk-board nailed slanting against the wall upon which I am writing. I dont care what you write on or who sees them all I want is the letters from home. Your direction is right C.M.C. Adj. 8th Reg C.V. I got my washing done here. The slippers I like & in the evening I put them on & the old double gown & sit down in front of my blazing fire. I am going to town to get my horse new shod as we may leave any day. Chas
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