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

at Fredericksburg Camp Monday 25 Aug 1862 Dear All I was intending to write a good long letter last evening as I have not written for several days but on returning from Col Harlands Hd Qts where I had been for perhaps half an hour, I was met by - Barry - who had been hunting all over the camp for me. He informed me that my Co with three others were going off somewhere Met major ward before reaching my tent & learned from him that he was going with Cos G B C & K in search of deserters & stragglers, to the number of 200 or 300, from Regts of the Potomac Army. Found my Co all formed & ready so I ran into my tent buckled on my sword & pistol & was off. started about 8 PM & got back at 10 marched nearly eight miles & picked up quite a number of stragglers tho' it was dark so soon after starting that we were only partially successful as the deserters go into the woods at night to sleep & it was useless looking there so late. I do think Dick Ripley is a fool to go in the 18th as Hosp. Steward & I should not think him the one for the position any way. I know in this Regt the prescriptions are all put up by the steward & he should understand that business our steward if I am not much mistaken, has been a practicing physician & takes the place for the practice it furnishes. By "sponging" on the sick he will of course get better accom odations than other non-commiss officers but he has no chance of promotion & tho' the duties are im portant & tho' a - faithful - Steward is of great value yet he gets no credit & no - honor. - In fact he is not a soldier & cannot appreciate a soldiers glory. He runs as little risk as any man in the Regt but who respects a soldier who looks for the safest place. I had much rather be a corporal in a co. than Hospital steward. Am I to understand from your last letter that Geo Ripley is in the U S Army? where? & in what position? I expected the Conn Artillery would be up here on their way to join Pope & have been on the lookout for Bela I now hear that they came to Aquia creek & there recd orders to keep on up the river to Alexandria. Please pay my respects to Mrs Frank Johnson's last recruit. Mr. Johnson writes me that Mrs J says he comes in response to the Presidents last call. Joe Rockwell has I think a good position & if he does well will without doubt soon be a Lt. Is it possible that Crosby, Sam Terry, and Edwards are going as privates. I would like Ben Edwards as Co. clerk but would never trust him as high as a corporal even. Dont think of sending me anything that I shall be obliged to carry. Any thing in way of preserved & pickled meats are always acceptable & sardines. I have two boxes of sardines left that you sent I shall carry one with me on Picket tomorrow There is a Mr. Wells (formally of Hartford) of the sanitary commission (I believe) here now distributing towels, stockings, shirts, &c to the good men & heartily engaged in the work, he would like to be appointed a kind of State Agent for Connt & attend to Connt troops especially. He has ladies connected with him and immediately after the Battle of cedar mountain they went to Culpepper & are attending to the wounded. I dont know what to say about Geo. going with Paymaster child as his clerk. The pay is good & we would travel all round & see the troops & run no risk. But he is desperately needed at home All the Paymaster clerks that I have seen have been middle aged experienced men & I guess if major child has to look over some of the new Regt muster rolls he will find himself some what muddled. I am writing longer than I ought or intended & here close Best love always to mmy Dear mother sister & Bro. Chas I am so glad to hear that Ellen's photograph is coming. I can & shall carry that. Is mother's with it? I hope so.