Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his mother, sister and brother
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.024 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 4 November 1861 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes of the long journey from Jamaica to Hunters Point and then by boat to Amboy. From Amboy, the regiment was transported by train cars to Philadelphia. Blames the Brigade Quarter Master for the ill-arranged transportation.
Philadelphia, Wilmington & Baltimore Rail Road Magnetic Telegraph - Morse Line Perryville Station By Telegraph Perryville, Nov 4, 1861, 2 o'clock 30 min A.M.
To my dear mother sister & brother Safe this far through life I am come. Arrived at this place about 12 midnight & are now waiting for boats to carry us to Annapolis. The passage from Hartford cannot be mentioned in comparison to this one. We were at Hunters Point all day yesterday till after dark and how it did rain I think every one was soaked. & yet I think it did my cold good as I have been better to day. The passage by boat from Hunters Point to Amboy was bad enough, lasted all night the officers had a large room to sleep In with a good fire, but I dont believe many of them slept much. I did not certainly. I dont know whether the floor was particularly hard or not. A large part of the men must have stood up all night or else sat in the water on deck. The boat was only intended for a few hours sail on a fair day.
The ride by cars to Phila I enjoyed very much, it was a a delightful change from the night before. The soldiers entertaining committee met us at the depot & gave us all a good dinner the first decent meal we had since leaving Jamaica. We shall probably get our next meal at Annapolis sometime tomorrow. We reached Phila before 12 noon & were detained there till dark & have had a very tedious & cold ride to this place. So you see I have had a new experience as to the different modes of spending the Sabbath but I dont find any improvement on the old Norwich fashion. The blunders in our transportation must have been largely the fault of the Brigade Q Master. Our Regiment was always on hand & our officers prompt. Hope you are having a pleasant time in N. York. I am very sleepy must lay my head down on this desk & catch a nap if I can. Chas I dont know how I shall send this.
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