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

In Camp near Newbern Saturday morning mar. 15. Dear All, I can now write with truth that I have been in a battle & really under fire. I judge our men exposed to the fire of the rebels about three hours and part of that time the bullets whistled "right smart". we had a delightful sail down from Roanoke Tuesday & Wednesday. The weather both days was clear and very warm & I enjoyed the voyage hugely. It was very interesting to watch the great fleet headed by the little gun boats, (they always remind me of wasps) and the signal fires on the main land which we suppose were to inform the rebels of our progress. Wednesday eve we reached the point on the river where we were to land & also received our mail which brought me three blessed letters, so there was little sleep for us until the small hours. Sorry as I am to have George leave his studies, yet I am happy he has such a good plan and I think the conversation of the gentlemen he will meet in the affair will be valuable to him. The landing commenced about half past 8 AM Thursday Col Harland went ashore with the first boat load from sentinel, I went with him. About 3000 troops landed at once, the small boats being towed by small steamers loaded also with soldiers. our Regt commenc ed the march at 12 1/2 M & did not bivouac until after dark. The afternoon had been rainy & very muddy. We had marched nine or ten miles & we had to lie down in the wet our clothes soaked thru' with rain & perspiration I never know what it was to be tired before & yet I could not sleep more than a couple of hours it was so uncomfortable the remainder of the night I stood by the camp fires. Yesterday we were on the march by 7 1/2 AM & soon the firing commenced & we were hurried forward to take our part & very soon the bullets & cannon ball were flying over us. After marching perhaps a mile we were halted and skirmishers sent forward from Cos. G & K - they were almost immediately driven back & a volley of musketry poured into our midst men were lying down or many must have been killed. Just before the skirmishers were ordered forward a man in Co. B was shot & killed immediately very near me. he was the first man killed. Capt Upham commanding the skirmishers of Co K (Meridan Co.) was shot in the shoulder & I fear is badly wounded. it is supposed others in this Co. are killed or wounded tho' we know only of one private wounded. We replyed to the enemy's fire & they retreated, we did not follow them directly as this battery was in front Before firing they were surrounded in a ravine of rifle pits. soon we were ordered to flank this battery & we worked our way thru' woods & over fallen trees onto the railroad when we were again exposed to a severe fire. Here we had to lie down by the side of the rail road, while the 4th RI passed us to charge the enemy's extreme right. when they had passed we started on again & formed battalion front & charged into the battery next to the one where the 4th RI was engaged. we found it just evacuated and raised our flags on the ramparts. This battery I think is an eighth of a mile long. The whole line of fortifications is said to be three miles and soon it was all ours. while we charged, other Regts were charging to our right & the RI was engaged at our right. twas a lively time I assure you. According to orders we remained drawn up in line in the battery exposed to a scathing fire for a long time & then ordered forward to support another Regt that was engaged in front. but again the enemy re treated before we came up to them. Then we marched forward with the other Regts for Newbern on the rail road. a hard march I assure you for me as I had blistered my right foot the day before & my foot had become very tender, soaked as they had been for two days. We found the bridge connect ing with the city of Newbern had been burnt & the city itself was burning whether set on fire by the rebels or by our gun boats, which had now come up the river. I don't know, so we were sent back to occupy rebel barracks near by. At our barracks the fires were burning & everything just as the rebels had left them. I did not get much plunder as I was too tired to look after it & at first I supposed everything would be turned over to the Government & tho' I was the second off. In the encampment & saw many things I wanted yet I was so confoundedly green I didn't take anything until it was too late to get much that was desirable. Almost everything I have has been and Horses (not a very good one) a nice flute, a first rate saddle & saddle bags, a little smoking tobacco, a pair of new shoes, rather stiff & several sizes too large, a new chamber wash stand & several little things. In one of the off. barracks I found nice bedstead bureau & glass & wash stand all of the same pattern. it was the most luxurious apartment I had been in since leaving connect. I found a fine large cooking stove that we shall use for the cooking of the Field & staff. I wish I could send it home. I am writing longer than I ought & am sure I dont know what as I have written fast. we find files of letters here, some are decidedly amusing & a few show that there is a union sentiment in N. Carolina & I do believe there is for I am sure they would fight very differently If they had any faith in their cause. I dont think they fight at all well for they always have the advantage. I can't think we deserve much credit for whipping them. our loss as far as we know is two killed three wounded & 77 reported this morning missing some have come in since, we may find some are killed & wounded. we are rather proud of our flag with several holes thro' it. I am very well this morning though rather stiff & my feet quite tender. The march was rather hard on me as I had been laid up most of the time at Roanoke. I therefore had had no exercise to speak of since leaving Annopolis. I was so glad to get your letters & the papers I know that you were well again. Best love to everybody. Do remember me particularly to uncle Geo. I am so sorry he does not improve. I have been round camp continually this Morning with no coat on, it is so warm. We think we may remain here some time. I must go & get some (vertical along left margin) hay for my bed before it is all gone. The boards were rather hard last night.