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

In camp near Newberne May 8, 1862 I hear a mail leaves N. tomorrow & I write a line to go in it. we are getting on very well, yesterday we recevied new tents for the Regt - Sibley's patent a ventilated tent & larger than our old ones. Only one tent is allowed to the three officers of a Co. but we are permitted to keep one of our old wall tents, so the Capts. take the new Sibley's & give their Lieuts the old wall tents. I am just sending a detail of men down to the rebel barracks half a mile below here for boards for a floor &c & I expect soon to be fixed up in apple pie order. we were ordered up here to -recruit. - & so I suppose we -may- remain a week in one place. We have had the lion's share of work to do at Ft. Macon & were much exposed there more than either of the other Regts., -every- time an advance of our lines was needed in order to build a battery nearer the fort, the 8th was ordered to drive in the enemy & hold the position & every time they did it & on one occasion Capt. Sheffield was seriously wounded, & at another the Major. two privates were also wounded. The day of the bombardment the -8th- was on duty in the trenches & one Co. in advanced rifle pits acting as sharpshooters. That day we were mercifully preserved. Several were scratched or slightly bruised by fragments of shells but no one badly injured tho' some very narrowly escaped & yet when we wished to remain on duty over our time & so be the troops to first repossess the fort we were not permitted to but a Regt that had not done half the duty or suffered near as much was ordered in instead of the 8th. It makes my blood boil when I read how the 7th Conn is praised for their service at Ft. Pulaski & we get no praise for what we did at Ft. Macon. There is great deal of feeling in the Regt at the manner in which we have been slighted by -Genl Parke -. I fear & believe he is influenced more by soft speeches & compliments than by real service. the 8th does not play the first part but when called for for the latter it has never been found wanting. We are now -temporarily- in the 2d (Genl Reno's) division. You need not alter your directions of letters &c. we have a very pleasant camp ground on the bank of the river which is always lively with constantly passing vessels. The line officers tents (Capts & fits) are under the trees & literally on the bank. I like the situation very much with the exception of the numerous -ticks-. Found two on me last night & one this morning but suffered no harm from them as I discovered them before they had buried themselves. They are more troublesome than any thing else. If they get under the skin they fester & make quite a bunch but not generally painful at all. Lt. Ripley reported here this morning. I was so glad to hear from you by him, says you were all well when he left but I dont understand why I only got Geo's letters by last mail. Shall get another mail to day as the steamer he came on brought one. Hear Lt. Eaton is not likely to return to the Co. at present as he does not get up very fast. Lt. Ripley says you spoke to him about a box you were going to send me but says he could not find it on the boat. I think he refers to the bundle that I recd Sunday but shall enquire at the Express office. Have not been over to Newbern yet, have been too busy, I can write no longer now, will add a line after the mail comes. Am very well. Have just recd your 3 letter shall go over for box this P.M. we have Fresh Beef & soft bread now. Am much obliged. Postman waits. Love Chas