Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.045 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Annapolis, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 1 December 1861 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Thanks his family immensely for the box of "goodies" they have sent him. Discusses both his and Stanton's illnesses and reports that he is forced to do all his chores himself as Stanton is not well. Writes that he hopes for a servant to be arranged and sent soon. One side written upside down on a draft of a morning report.
Sunday evening, Dec. 1, 1861 The box arrived this P.M. & I am now writing on it. even without the good good good good GOOD things within it would prove a treasure to me & add a valuable article to my furniture. I have not as yet had time to go quite to the bottom, but I removed many of the goodies & find every thing in first class order, & the things made at home do taste so good. I was obliged to pay two dollars & fifty cents express on it, but that is better than losing it as I expected. I told the express man that it was paid thru' from New York, he said it was not & that they paid our express charge on it when they received it. I get from the Adams Ex. Co. & I find a check of "Studley's, New Haven & Harlem RR Ex Co." on the box also. all this makes it expensive but it is mighty acceptable. but if I am rid of Daly I hardly care what it costs. I realize more each day how much I am dependant on my man particularly have I today, as Stanton is quite sick, I will try to go thru' the day as briefly as possible. Rose about 6 A.M. and found I was to unwell to do anything so got my breakfast before light & then went at work on morning Report. about 7 1/2 oclock I told Stanton if he was so sick he must go & see the Doctor, had been trying to persuade him before now I fairly ordered him - he is mortally afraid he shall be put in the Hospital - he went out as I supposed to see the Doctor & I did not see him again until 5 P.M. said he had been asleep most all day in one of the tents, - finished my Report & Guard mounting soon after 9. borrowed Cols horse as I had no man to go after mine & was in hurry. did not get back from Hdqrts until about 11 then went for Governor & fed & watered him. then began my monthly report as Capt Hoffman was wanting it. could not make it Saturday as expected so much extra work to do. did not have my(?) (?) hardly(?) until 3 1/2 when rode down to deliver it & waited an hour to see Capt. H. as he wished to see me his orderly said. reached camp just in time for Dress Parade there with work on rolls to be delivered & the box the day is brought down to bed time. I had nothing to eat from breakfast until I opened the box about 6 P.M. I was [the following is the remainder of the letter written upside down on a Morning Report, which follows] really too busy to cook anything. If S. had been well of course he would have had dinner ready. You may depend upon it I made way with considerable corned beef & cookies & coffee it is grand. Hope Stanton will be well in morning - he is one of those who mopes around & makes every thing as bad as possible I am very sorry for him & as much for myself. But I am usually too busy to think much of anything I shall have a clerk detailed to assist me as soon as I find a good man I cant stand this any longer. There is more work than I can do although I should prefer to do it all myself. All the other Adjts have clerks & I shall right off. I'll try to add something in the morning. Have rec'd no answer to my telegraph Saturday afternoon. Hope Solomon Howard will come. I am afraid Williams is too old, I can see Johnson thinks he is hardly the man for me. I Am so sorry to trouble you so much with these matters. they dons trouble me near as much as you will think I am too busy. I can hardly keep my head above water in my business & it seems to grow - per(?) all the time & yet I enjoy myself very much. & really like it. I can thank you for the box there is no use trying everything - closing(?) Monday evening Am very well. Stanton is sound again. Morning Report of Capt Ruth Co.B. 8 Regt C.V. 1 Captain 1 1st Lieut 1 2nd Do 5 Seargents For duty Musicians 78 Privates 1 Non commissioned officer ] Sick 1 Musicians put in ranks ] 3 Privates ] 3 Commissioned officers ] Total non commissioned officers ] 95 Musicians & Privates ] 98 Aggregate 98 Aggregate of last Report Station camp Burnside Date Dec 1st 1861 signed Wm L. Wilson(signed) Capt Ruth 1st sergeant Comd'g Co
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