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

Antietam, Md Octo. 4 '62 Dear All, My last a week or more ago, was dated mouth of Antietam Creek & I believe I wrote at that time that we were ordered to move that day. Well we did move to this place, a march of only two or three miles. For a day or two previous to leaving I had had some symptoms of diarrhria The march was very hard on me as the sun made me sick at my stomach whenever we halted & it was nearly four hours that we were on the road, we were so hindered by the baggage trains & artillery a head of us, & in the very middle of the day too. When we reach- ed this ground I worked round to get poles for my tent which was in our train behind (Bony was out of the way as he usually is when he is wanted) & then waited round, I was feeling so badly that I could not remain quiet, until 8 or 9 PM when the wagons arrived & then put up the tent in the dark. I presume I worked that day when I needed of all things else quiet & I have been on my back most of each day since, not because I was so sick that I could not be up but I thought it better to lie as still as possible & as I was decidedly weak I could sleep a large part of the time. I have had considerable pain in my head & much more in my stomach. I have avoided all writing since we have been here except making one report that I could not put off or I should have written you before. My flask was about three fourths full of the Brandy you sent me at Newberne & it has been of great value to me, it was so good to alleviate the pain in the stomach. It's all gone & I don't know where to find more but I hope I am beyond the need of it at present. Please send me enough to fill up again when you have opportunity. Our new surgeon Dr. stocking gave me some medicine last night that seems to have almost entirely cured me so that I have felt quite well again to day tho' very weak. We have had no Dr. with us since the battle & often have not seen one for 3 or 4 days at a time tho' from 1/3 to 1/2 of the regt who came safe from the battle field have been quite sick with this same diarrhria. The Dr. of the 16th tried to attend to us but had to give it up as there were crowds of his own men to care for we are in a limestone country & its playing the dickens with us all. I did not suspect the cause at first & kept drinking water freely, I am more careful now & have sent off this PM for some cider vinegar to mix with the water in future before drinking. The Dr. recommends vinegar to counteract the effect of the lime. I can get a good quality here. But enough of this I believe I am all right again now. We saw starkweather & Slocum only a few moments while we were halting during the march. I did hope they would come over here. Did not read your letter until after they left & did not think to borrow the needful until too late. Your letter enclosing $10. came safely. t'was most acceptable tho' I was not quite out but so near that the end was very near. Uncle william called on me the other morning. He had been to some town near in Penna & crossed down to this to see me & glad enough I was to see him. My bed is the ground & having been awake all the early part of the night with pain in my stomach I slept late that morning & I had just roused up to drink a cup of tea & was sitting up the best I could as uncle Bill walked in. He sat down on an old tent cloth & talked real first rate for 15 or 20 minutes & then had to go as another gentleman was waiting in a wagon for him. He first told me this was a lime-stone region. I borrowed $15 of him - so I am pretty well off now but would not object to $10 or $15 more. My face was swollen with tooth ache & had not been washed that morning & altogether I guess uncle wm though me a pretty tough looking specimen. He looked very well indeed. The President reviewed this corps yesterday I sat in the shade & looked on. The 8th had but one Capt able to be on duty that day. The Presdt looked worse than ever. McClellan looked finely. I believe he is the only man we have able to manage our immense armies in action. I do not think McC the man we have so long been looking & waiting for but I do think him the best we have. I wish Fremont could have been tried farther McClellan's soldiers all have faith in him.