Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.144 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Sharpsburg, Maryland Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 18-19 September 1862 Pagination: 4 p. ; 20.3 x 25.5 cm. Order a Copy
He starts "Praised to God I am entirely free from even a scratch after the terrible + bloody battle of yesterday." Describes the Battle of Antietam and says that Lieutenant Eaton and Lieutenant Shepard were both wounded. Believes the regiment acted "beyond all praise." Describes the way the men under his command asked permission to break ranks after being wounded. Discusses the injuries and deaths of others and says he believes that their Regiment was beaten because they did not have proper support. Estimates that only half of the 8th Regiment left the battle without being wounded or dying.
The Battle of Antietam, fought on September 17, 1862, near Sharpsburg Maryland, was the first major battle in the American Civil War to take place on Northern soil. It was the bloodiest single-day battle in American history, with about 23,000 casualties.
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