Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.078 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: s.l. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 February 1862 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Written on board the ship "the Sentinal." Comments that there are so many rumors about the battle that he would be glad to receive General Burnside's report when it appears in the newspaper. Gives more details about the battle and says "it was rather exciting stepping on hostile shores for the first time." Writes that there are 2000 rebel soldiers taken prisoner and that the Union now has control over the whole island.
On board "sentinal" Feby. 10, Monday Dear mother sister & Brother, After spending two nights & days on shore in the rain & sleeping in wet clothes wet blankets on the ground I thought it would be a pleasant change to spend over night in my bunk here, this will explain the date of this letter. I am just going ashore again have only time to write a few lines. As I wrote night before last that we had met with a decided success after a very hard fought battle where the position of the enemy was thought be them to be impregnablee from all I can learn I think they had all the troops they judged could be used to advantage. There are so many rumors about here that it is hardly possible to get at the truth & I long to see Genl Burnside's official accounts do send it as soon as it appears. The Friday fight was entirely a bombardment of a fort on the shore by our gunboats, the troops were landed that afternoon & during the night. It was rather exciting stepping on hostile shores for the first time After wading in mud & water quite a distance nearly kneee deep we came upon our troops lying on the ground & standing round camp fires there occured no end to the numbers of them. We all of us laid on the ground in our blankets a rough night it was as it rained all night. Saturday, the fight was by the troops before a fort in the interior of the island. The fort was built in a morass directly across the road. The rebels considered the swamp impregnable & had cut down the trees on both sides of the road to give fair sweep to the cannon shot. Some of our troops finally worked through the swamp & the rebels finding they were being outflanked retreated. At the first reports we heard the Hawkins zouaves had all the glory for charging the battery & taking it but it was the other Regiments flanking it that caused the evacuation. I must close. The island is entirely in our possession & we have a very large number of prisoners about 2000. our force in killed & wounded must be nearly 200. I have inquired for Beckwith & Treadway in the 10th & think they are both safe. I cannot ascertain definitely. I should have heard if they had been injured. The fight was so near our position that part of the time musket balls flew over our heads. We are (the 8th) now in the same place while all the other troops have been advanced to the other side of the island where the forces sur - rendured & are now guarded. o. Jennings wise died yesterday, plucky to the last. I walked over the battle field & fort yesterday, the road for a long distance was lined with all kinds of soldier equipments haversacks filled with rations &c most of the dead had been carried off there were some dreadful sights. I do not know when we shall go from here, some of our officers think it about our luck to be stationed here. There is one thing about this life & that is that when I get home I shall know how to appreciate it. Regards to every body & very best love from yours truly affect son & bro Chas over I am just as well as can be but can hardly say that I enjoying myself.
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