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

Nov 12, '61
Am well but quite busy as usual. Stanton was at work most of yesterday building over again our stove & making me a bedstead out of crotched sticks & poles, it is nice & springy so my tent was in no condition for me to write in & I was engaged with him most of the time. therefor I did not progress much with my back writing & I must do it to day. was vaccinated yesterday with the rest of Field & staff & we were most all of us complaining last night or rather complaining this morning that were sick last night. The Coln was quite sick but is well again this morning. I was only a little sickish at my stomach & an perfectly well this morning, ate my full allowance of Pork - fresh- & fried fish with hot bisciuts, corn bread & coffee. A colored woman near camp supplies us at $3.50 per week. I mess in Cols tent with Col, Major & Chaplain, we have good plain fare. what bother a horse is, particularly a nervous one. Stanton says the rest of the hay at the shed where he is kept is musty & the rats are all gone. I made a requistion for fodder several days ago & expect a supply of hay & oats this morning. A few days ago I fastened the Governor to a tree in the city while I was buying some bread & cheese for my supplies. he managed to twist the halter round the tree, fall down, and break my fancy bridle bits &c. so I shall have to buy a new bit & rein. His great fault is that he will not stand when I am on him or any other time he is always on the move which is almost as bad as the entire opposite would be. always standing still. I dont think there would be much to choose between the two. When I am with the regiment & should be facing them he always will face just the opposite direction from them & then keep moving backward forward or sideways but as he is I would not trade him for hardly any horse in the Regiment, they all have their faults. I do wish I had taken the dappell horse I think he was plenty good enough & would have been more steady, which I now think the just thing but dont think there is any thing dangerous about the Governor's nervousness it is only troublesome. Nothing new & I ought to be at work I intended to have included a copy of the last nights countersign showing the folding &c but must close. with bushels of love Chs
Connt is one of the wealthiest states in the Union she sent out her troops not half furnished compared with some other states. The Mass men are fairly equiped in every particular for instance the regiment which arrived the day before us had 19 wagons with full compliment of four horses, we have four with horses, they have four ambulances, we have none, each have two hospital wagons & it is so in almost every thing even to straps to muskets that straps to sling them on the back in marching Connt great aim is to get off with the least cost possi ble & to cheat the men all she can and if Gov. Buckingham did not personally attend to much of the business that I suppose he would be entirely justified in leaving to others I dont believe our men would have decent coats on their backs some of our officers speak quite plainly about these things but all admit Gov. B. does all any one man can do for their good. What I have written applies only to privates. officers furnish themselves (perhaps I have written stronger than I ought) you know. It is getting late perhaps I can add a line in the morning. Good night all. Do always give best love to Uncle Geo & Aunt Mary & remember me to every body.
when is Uncle Geo. note to Lippingwell due. I hope I can pay it soon. Isnt Uncle Wm going to furnish any more cash & have you any for yourself. 9 A.M. 14th inst. Going down to city to find out about report. Nothing new & very well.