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

Feby. 4, 1862. Not off yet & have received no orders where or when we are going. I always forget when I am writing to tell you how to direct. I always write in such a jam with so much confusion that every idea leaves me before I can pencil it. The direction should be to "8th Reg. Conn. vols. Burnside's Division, Department of No. Carolina, via Fortress Monroe." Dont direct to any particular vessel as that might delay the letters. we have just learned that Charlie Breed graduated second in the signal corps & that he was highly complimented for his proficiency. only a very few of the whole number have been reported as ready for duty & we are all much pleased that Breed should not only be one of the few but among the first. Marvin wait did not graduate & though he has had a better education than Breed & I suppose passed the first examination in general knowl edge, better yet I presume he does not take to signals as readily. The day we left Annapolis I saw Sam Fuller in the street, he is orderly Sgt in a co in the 11th is at present serving as a kind of clerk in the ordinance Department, when I saw him in A. he had on a pair of very fancy tinted kid gloves. I was much amused, he said he bought them in the evening and did not see the color, I should consider kids of any color rather out of place in this business. I have written before that we have a water condenser on board - the tank that receives the water after being distilled is in the hold where two of our companies are quartered and it is always leaking & a large part of the time steam rising from it, so the bunks are wet & it is really hot down there you can imaging how healthy it is one of the privates told me this morning that the bed bugs down there were large enough to carry knapsacks. Dont repeat what I write home about the hardships of the privates for officers should not do the least thing to discourage enlistments. I know but I do pity them it is not to be wondered at that it makes beasts of many of them. I want George also to know how they are taken care of. one of Genl Parke's aid de Camps has just called with orders I must copy them dont know what they are. we are expect ing a tug boat here this AM to take off some of our sick men & I intend to send this letter by it. I have been copying the orders recd until forced away from table by the boys setting it for our rice dinner. immediately after dinner I go in the boat to the Chasseur & the schooner James H Hoyt to carry the orders to the other parts of the Regiment. The orders relate to manner of disembarking the troops &c nothing particularly interesting. I shall leave this letter here to be sent if the tug comes before I return though I think I can add to it before it goes. The steamer is here & letters are going. Good bye Love Love Love from son & brother Chas.