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

Near Newbern, May 15, Am going over to the city to the Express office immedia tely after dinner to look for the box of eatables. Recd your letters of 5th 6th & 8th last evening. Am so sorry to hear mother is still troubled as of old with her sick headaches. I wish I could do something for them, do they occur oftener than previously. I do hope all of you will keep well. I feel more inclined to respond when you write that either of you are sick than when I am sick myself. The officers were all dressing very much more since we encamped so near Newbern & I shall get me a new McClellan cap while in the city if I can find one, these caps are much prettier than our old fashioned ones. they (new ones) have straight visors. That paper mail has just arrived & I have the Extra Bulletin & the Tribunes thank you. May 19 1862 The box or tub has not made its appearance yet but I shall look again for it tomorrow as a steamer arrived today. I did not get a McC. Cap as I expected, were all sold, a new lot are expected by this boat. Yesterday - Sunday - we had a Regimental inspection in place of the regular Co. inspection. After the Coln & Major had passed thro' my Co. & inspected the arms, he turned to me & said the arms were looking very well. The boys overheard his remark & as the col. started for the next Co. I could hear from one & another down the line, "First compliment Co B. ever recd." "Co B never was complimented before" & c. I tell you it rather waked me up & as we filed into our street I happened to remember that when an inspection is carried out in form, the Co. fall in without arms in their street & when the Inspector enters the street to examine the condition of tents, cess pool &c, they all salute him. So when I halted the Co. I cautioned them to put up their arms & equipments in good order & to keep on their dress coats & be ready to fall in. I had previously had the tents put in order & the street swept particularly clean although I did not know whether they were to be inspected or not but I meant to be on the safe side. After going thro' the regiment the inspectors (Coln & Major) came to Co G.'s street (this is the first street on the right) & nothing was ready for them, they were just sweeping their tents & C. the men were in shirt sleeves many of them & not in line at all. My street is next and as we form facing them, Co B could see every thing their. Well when the inspectors came to our street Co B was all in line, up & dressed, and received them with the proper salute. The tents & cook tent &c were then examined & found all right or as the major expressed it, he "had no fault to find", the Coln also complimented us highly. After the Inspector left us, the boys could hardly keep from crowing. They were not used to being praised & were exceedingly pleased & were talking it over a large part of the day. Perhaps their Capt did not feel pretty well about that time. While we were standing in line waiting the visit of the Inspectors it was very funny to see the Co's to be inspected after us, putting on the dress coats that had been taken off & falling into line. I called the attention of my men to it & they were much pleased to think that they had set the example. Of course after we started it all the remaining cos followed. - Mail has come, more anon - Have read your two letters of 10th & 14th & also one from Coln Terry & one from Thompsonville notifying me that a box has been forwarded by Express for benefit of the sick of Co. B. The chief contents of said box seems to be mine, which I think I shall turn over to the Hospital altho' the letter requests that everything be used by this Co. I shall at least write in reply that all liquor in future sent to the Co. or members of the Co. will be seized & so disposed of. But to start again where I left off. I think the appearance of the Co. Yesterday & the compliments of the Coln & Major are worth every thing. they will be remembered & will save me much exercise of my power in the way of discipline. they will awaken the pride of the co. which has slumbered much too long. I did not mean to imply in one of my former letters that the Co. was originally the "toughest" but only that mismanagement had given it that name. The men all seem disposed to turn over a new leaf & I shall encourage them all I can. We, day by day, report less sick & more for duty than any Co. in the Regt. Don't understand that that is any credit me, it was always so. I am much shocked at Mr. Goddards sudden death, what changes I shall find when I get home. Do remember me to Mrs. Goddard & say what is right. How sad that Henry & Alfred should both be about & I suppose Louis Mitchell has not as yet returned. It is almost time for Battalion Drill & I must close & book up a little before it. Lt Shepard has been unwell a day or two & went to New Bern Saturday. Yesterday I recd a message from him that he was engaged writing for Capt Richmond Asst Adjt Genl at "Head Quarters". Dont know how long he intends to stay. He has not done as much as I expected he would, he is dreadfully sick of camp of life & very desirous of returning to "Head Quarters" talks of it continually. Our New Dr - Pease - has just been in. He is built after the fashion of Gordon Chapman Esq. A good subject for a long march. He is from Thompsonville said to be a first rate Dr. & seems very pleasant. Love to all. Uncle Geo & Aunt Mary. Sorry to hear uncle Geo does not get up well. Remember me to rapt Farnsworth & every body. Aff son Chas. My dinner was roast beef & toast. dons suffer for good food. Will write after as I can spare time but am very busy. We get all New Bern news in New York papers.