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At the Institute’s core is the Gilder Lehrman Collection, one of the great archives in American history. More than 85,000 items cover five hundred years of American history, from Columbus’s 1493 letter describing the New World through the end of the twentieth century.

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

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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.077 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 9 February 1862 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy

Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Declares that his family need no longer fear for him as his regiment will be staying on Roanoke Island while other regiments move on.

Ste "Sentinal" Tuesday morning You can feel safe about me hereafter we have just received word that we are to remain on this Island with the 5th N.Y. Regt. while the rest of the troops go This is not a pleasant idea to us & some are raveing about it. Col. H. I think feels very badly about it though he says nothing. Lt. Col. Terry raves & talks of resigning (the old fool I cant help saying so) I think we can be quite com fortable here but I cannot feel satisfied. although I am not "spitting for a fight" I am willing to confess. Beckwith is safe without doubt & Treadway also though I have not seen them. I send this by the mail steamer which has not gone yet. The gunboats yesterday captured several rebel gunboats & sunk others. I am writing on a Harpers in my hands so excuse penmanship. I am very well. Slept on boat last night, am just going ashore Love to all Chas

Coit, Charles M., 1838-1878

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