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

In Camp Near Newberne Sunday Dear All, May. 25. 1862 Have just waked up from a good sound nap & find the afternoon nearly gone so tho' I feel stupid & thick headed enough, I shall write something for when Monday comes I may find the week fully occupied otherwise. I always look forward to Sunday as my leisure day & the day for writing you. I was waked up by two of my boys coming in to the tent with about two quarts of nice blackberries for me. They had been off an hour or two & picked a large basket full. we were to have had another Regt inspection this morning but the rain prevented. I was rather sorry my boys had been preparing for it & would have done themselves credit. My seizing the liquor that was sent the boys from Thompsonville made quite a rumpus in the Co. It was a most unpleasant job but decidedly exciting as I stood over the boxes as they were opened at my tent door & selecting out the bottles jugs & cans while the whole Co. almost stood round a large part of them being victims. It was a new performance, not down in the bills & they hardly knew whether to interfere or not, they supposed that it was lost to them forever & I really thought so too at that time. I did not expect they would take it as peaceably as they did (tho' from the talk you would have thought something was to be done) but I thought if the issue between us was to come either that morning while they were sober - or in the evening & night (supposing the whiskey had been given up to them) when they were drunk I preferred to keep their liquor & have the fight in the forenoon. I think but one bottle was overlooked, that was packed in a bale of tobacco, this was sufficient to make two men tight & to secure Guard tent accommodations for both until they had time for reflection & became sober, both are out now. A delegation went down to see col. Harland about it but the comfort they got there was decided cold. He told them I had taken it by his orders Ha ha I had asked his advice & particularly inquired if I had full power to take & dispose of it, coming as it did directed to individuals. That was all the order I had had from him. I shall enclose you a copy of letter that I commenced writing to Mr. Houston acknowledging the receipt of box, this will explain the disposition made of the plague stuff. I feel that Dr Storrs has done a great thing for me in taking it into his charge, it will make him much trouble & take much time. I do not believe he would do the same for any other Capt in the Regt. (if I was writing anywhere but home I should not have added the last line.) I have written you pretty fully I think upon this subject & will only add this much, I believe that I have come out of it with colors flying at the very top mast. Some (two or three) of course are yet cross and think I had no right to do it, but all now know that I shall do what I judge for the good of the Co. even if I take some responsibility & make some enemies & no matter where it cuts. These are great truths for a Co. to learn. I think the Co. like me certainly as well as ever for they know that I get no benefit from it & did it because of the good name of the Co. The old Governor is sold to the Government. I have said good bye & now for the point - I have $100. in my pocket. But as I write I see lying on my table a bill for forage, shoeing & care amounting to $17. So the money goes. Am expecting to be paid off every day. Yesterday in cleaning one of my colt pistols I broke a little spring in the lock rendering it useless. I shall try to get it mended in New bern if I cant then I shall have to send that part of the lock to the agency in New York. I have another in good order which is all I could carry marching. I had offered this one to col H to use if we were in action again as he had lost his or rather his man lost it for him I am sorry this is broken on his account chiefly. = Here is my Tea Toast & Blackberries coming. May. 29. 9 A.M. I did not think four days would slip away before I commenced on this letter again but the days fly so fast, as I am both busy & happy, that I cannot follow them in the least. The trunk I received day before yesterday and would not have suited me better if it had been made to order it is just right & what to say about the contents I do not know. such a pile of goodies overcame me immediately and entirely. Every thing came in perfect order & condition except the Rotarde veal which was very mouldy & somewhat decayed however I cut off the outside & so saved a portion of it. The Pants & coat are just the things & what I have needed much. May 31, 1862 ½ past 6 A.M. The Regt starts in half an hour for the city to attend the grand review before Gov. Stanley. I have tried to finish this letter but cant make out. I am very well, but alone, and it's dreadfully warm. Appelman is made Lt. Col. & ward major subject to the approval of the Governor. Carried major Stedman's things over to him the night I received the trunk. Went out sailing on the Trent with col. Mathewson, major 5, Capt Griswold, a boat load of other officers & a fiddle, had a nice time. Must close shall drop this in the office when we march over. Love to all Your aff son & brother Chas M Coit We have been paid off. I shall send $250 As soon as I can get to the Express office.