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

Annaplois Md, Dec, 29 Dear mother sister & Brother,
Every thing now like a speedy departure. We received orders this afternoon to hold ourselves in readiness to march at twelve hours notice. Our sick have also all been removed to day wither to the Genl Hospital or on board ship & certainly the time of our departure is near though the impression here is that we shall not get off under one or even two weeks, of course I am inexperienced & cannot judge. Dr. Lathrop tried to get col. Harland to express his opinions as to how much longer we should be here as to whether the order meant that we shall sail immediately, but could get nothing from him, he would not express an opinion in what he knows nothing about. Col H is a perfect soldier in this respect, always ready for action or will wait without questioning. You will know immediately by telegraph when the expedition sails but the question is where. we know nothing more than you do. one says the Potomac, another the York, or James & others the Gulf. we can only guess & each differently. I cant say I am glad to go though I have seen about all I wish to of Annapolis but I am so pocky afraid I shall prove a coward I can hardly think of anything else. I tell you I would like to look in upon you all in old Norwich before starting while I think rapt Hoffman said a few days since that we should not leave before the proxium & also that he thought we should be paid again before leaving very likely he knew nothing about it but if that is so we shall be here more than one week. we are in Genl John G. Parke's Brigade, that is the third, with the 11th Conn & 53d (zouaves) New York we have the right, the post of honor, though no more a post of danger than the others. I suppose we are considered one of the 3 best regiments in the division we truly are & when it comes to action the 8th will do her part - whether her Adjt turns tail & runs or not - though judging from the quality of the other two regiments in this Brigade I dont think we shall be in the thickest of the fight The 11th is but very slightly drilled - Genl Parke told col H to day that he thought Major Stedman the man of the Field officers & he is very young & inexperienced. I fear Lt. Col. Mathewson has a hard row to hoe before him & Col. Kingsbury is not well strong & is old besides. I wish we were equiped as well as they are. The zouave Regt is small in numbers every other way except in music. The 8th is worth more than both the other Regts together & multiplied by a hundred. There are other Regts to join this Brigade perhaps one from Rhode Island. we had a communion Servie for the first time to day. Few officers were present now commissioned I think except Lt. Col. Terry, the surgeons, & myself. Rev. Mr. Eaton (the private I have written about several times) Dr. Lathrop a private named Dixon are our Deacons. It was quite a solemn service, some ministers would have made it exceedingly so. our chaplain you know is a real nice clever genial pleasant fellow with a very loud voice. I hope I have spent the day better than some previous ones. It is late & I must close will add something in the morning. Col. has just brought in an order from Head Quarters about Adjts reporting which hardly looks like leaving immediately. Dec 30 Yours of 27th by Eastman is just received I know G. better than uncle Geo. does. First rate in some respects not as good in others. Shall miss the mail if I write more. This is the first letter I have recd since Thursday. Dont send comfortable. I shant need it I only thought if Sheldon was coming it could come without expense. I have not needed it as yet & probably shant. we havent had any cold weather yet. It is beautiful to day. Chas Yours of 29th recd as I am mailing this. Dont need anything. Mrs. Dr. Storrs offered to do my mending but I did not want any my washerwoman darns the stocking. Love. Notes: Transcript provided by Eighth Regiment Connecticut Volunteers, Co.A, Inc.