Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to "Luff"[Lieutenant Shepard]
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.153 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Pleasant Valley, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 10 October 1862 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Jokes about returning to Army life and about the Lieutenant's wound. Also jokingly lists his daily duties.
Pleasant Valley Md Octo. 10. Dear Luff. I have been all day hard at work, pegging away mainly endeavoring to clear the docket of the pile of letters that have accumulated on my hands since the battle & as the small hours are close at hand & my wits have about run out I have after much deliberation resolved to take you in hand & you need not say to your self that that's not very complimentary because I am going to talk to you just as I have a mind to & if you are intending to return to us with any high flown ideas or any new clothes, if I hear of it, I will report you as a deserter & have you dismissed the service. So now look out. I think I have made out pretty well for a beginning so put down your head & let the boom swing over & we'll make a tack. Wonder if I can manage the tiller on this tack (I did not say hard - tack -) what did you interrupt me for now I've lost the wind & where shall I find my men. Take care - here comes a breeze. How do you get along in a civilized country? do they give you anything to eat & is your present "fodder" really up to the standard of Army rations? I can't believe it & I truly pity you. How hungry you must often be & how you must long for the loaves & fishes upon which we have grown fat the last twelve months. How is that leg that you stuck a pin into & then attempted to palm off upon us as having a hole in it made by a six-pounder? It grows dark. I fear a squall is coming up - (or perhaps the candle is fast vanishing in the socket.) write very soon & relieve my mind of these terrible thoughts that have racked my poor brains the past three weeks. Who can tell what I have suffered. Your bewildered CMC PS I inclose your letters received. My Sibley is the Head Quarters of three Cos. B. H. & C. Delightful. Always full of company. Qus. What is life? Ans. so many Caps overcoats blouses Pants shirts drawers & shoes issued to say nothing of stockings, Descriptive Lists & Pay Accounts, Furl- oughs & unanswered letters & last if not least - Muster Rolls. "Darkness be over me my rest" - the ground. Good night. If my mother should see what I have written she would think her unworthy son had clean gone daft. Go to bed!
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