Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
High-resolution images are available to schools and libraries via subscription to American History, 1493-1943. Check to see if your school or library already has a subscription. Or click here for more information. You may also order a pdf of the image from us here.
Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.128 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Newport News, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 30 July 1862 Pagination: 1 p. Order a Copy
Writes that Charley Breed from Norwich died that morning. Reflects on his last conversation with Breed and how much he was valued by the regiment. The diagnosis was hemorrhage of the bowels.
July 30. 5 A.M. Wednesday.
Dear All, Charley Breed died this morning. He has been sick, very sick for some time & I knew nothing of it until writing a day or two. He has been staying at Col. Harland's Hd. Quarters, (on Col. Hs staff as signal officer.) & has been thus blessed with more comforts during his sickness than most of us could expect but they were not those of home & friends. He was a grand fellow & we shall miss him much tho' he has been away from us so much we were all much pleased when he was assigned to Col Hs staff as that seemed like bringing him back to us again & now he has gone. One of the last times that I met him alone was, I remember, walking from camp at New berne to the City. We had a long & very pleasant talk together & old Norwich & home were not slighted. what a shock this will be to his mother & family I dons think they knew of his sickness. Marvin wait told me Monday evening that he did not think they knew of it as charley had particularly requested them not to write & Marvin was then uncertain whether he ought to write or not. I don't feel like writing more. Nothing new. Don't think we shall move at present. Am well. Aff son & Bro Chas shall write again to day or tomorrow. Charley Breed had the fever & died of hemmorage of the bowels.
[written large and sideways on the sheet]
Would like some P.O. Stamps
Citation Guidelines for Online Resources
The copyright law of the United States (title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted material. Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specific conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order if, in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.