Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.127 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Newport News, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 25 July 1862 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Declares that he wishes General Halleck had a stronger anti-slavery stance. Reacts to news of new recruits from Norwich and tells of the officers being switched around because of promotions and resignations.
The 1st Brigade 2d Division marched yesterday. I think to Yorktown. Dont think we shall go just now. Newport News, July 25, 1862 Dear All, On returning from Brigade Drill this P.M. I found Geo's letter of the 22d awaiting me. Oh it is so pleasant to receive letters every few days with news only two or three days old. I was greatly interested in Ellen's account of Genl Casey's call & conversations. I do so like the old hero and wish I could have met him. I am sorry he has resigned, - should not think he would just at this time when such men are so much needed but I suppose he is really too old & infirm for active service in the field & perhaps he can do as good service in drilling & organizing green troops as by field labors. Am glad Genl Halleck is made Comman der in chief rather than some other prominent characters. I am not permitted to critisize my superior officers, and I shall be careful about repeating what Ellen has written. Wish Genl. Halleck was stronger anti-slavery. I received the box, sent by Moore, this noon. I went down to the landing & lugged it up the half mile or so in the very middle of the day. Rather a warm walk. I perspire so freely that it is very troublesome. I soak every thing I wear. This has been rather a tedious day, I should have said the brigade drill is very tiresome & this evening I have been at work making a bedstead out of poles & barrel staves & it is ten o'clock so I close here & will add a line tomorrow. My camp bedstead is packed with some Quartermaster stores that were left at Beaufort as the boat was pretty crowded when we came up here. I like every thing in the box very much, map, Ex. Ginger &c. I have not yet succeeded in cooking farina so that I could or cared to eat it. We sometimes can get milk here & I shall try again with that. I have given it to sick men in the Co. several times & they liked it very much & I was very glad to have it for them. Best love & Good night. Saturday morning - July 26. 1862. I wonder if Crosby, Bromley, J. Young &c really mean to go as privates. I dont believe they will, & I dont think such men are worth much in the ranks, & except that it may induce others to enlist, such men had much better buy substitutes. Such men will fight well I doubt not but they cannot endure the drills & particularly the delays then the tendency here is to make machines of men, all responsibility is taken off them, food & clothing provided &c & as they are not willing to sit on the ground & wait day after day doing nothing. It would be easier to discipline a common regiment than a Co. of such men. We are agitating the subject of changing the position of our officers according to seniority, it should have done every time a change was made in the lines. In this change I may have to leave co. B. & it may go with me. Probably a change would give me different Lieuts. Which I should much regret. I wish the Governor would make me major of one of the New Regts. Ha, Ha. very best love to my dear mother Sister & Bro. Chas oh dont you wish he would but I dont suppose it would do - Rockwell & Griff Stedman & many others are older than me & have the same Claim -
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