Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.157 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Washington, D.C. Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 22 October 1862 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Describes the new suit he purchased and the errands he ran for the regiment. This included arranging baggage transportation and passes for himself and the ten men that are along to help him. Writes of seeing General McClellan and his wife and baby at the train station. Also writes about hearing word that a third wounded soldier died at home. Written from the National Hotel, in Washington, D.C.
National Hotel Washington Octo 22 Dear All, Arrived in this city late last evening & after finding quarters for my 10 men tumbled into this house & have made my Hd. Qts. here since tho' not particularly pleased with it. Before breakfast this morning started out & at the expense of about $40. dollars purchas ed a complete suit, from head to foot, cap (blouse coat) vest pants & boots, also paper collar & neck tie. I really did not know my self when I dressed for breakfast. My next visit was to the Provost Marshall's office for passes for self & men, then to the Depot Quartermaster to secure a car for the Regt baggage & so I have been running from one end of Penn Avenue to the other & from one QM to another & from one master of transportation to another all day & have not succeeded in moving a single pound of baggage tho' I am as tired to night as tho I had been transporting the pocky stuff on my back all day. I have however learned the ropes somewhat so that I hope to ac- complish something tomorrow. We go the first thing in the morning to Alexandria to get the baggage that is there. When I get there I shall have to get an order for U.S. wagons & then the wagons themselves to transport that baggage to the boats then an order for transportation on the boat & when it is really on this side I have to go way up to Ind. Ave, (off 22nd street) for an order & wagons to carry it & the other baggage from the dock to the depot & so it goes - you move a rod & then you must get more orders & other transportation to go on again & each order comes from a different source & the different officers are as far apart as even this city of magnificent distances, will allow. I am hoping to get off tomorrow but it is I truly believe hoping against hope. I may not get off in a week. I shall leave the hotel tomorrow any way as my pocket book will colapse when I settle at that time but don't think I shall suffer for I can get my rations & sleep in the barracks at the depot with the "boys" there have better accommodations than at our pre- sent camp. If you can enclose in your next letter 5 or 10 dollars (not more than 10) it will be most acceptable. I hate to ask it but I found on visiting the Pay Dept this morning that all payments were stopped until next month & then we are to muster & receive pay for the four months. Dont think I have been extravagant in purchasing new clothes. My old coat & pants are so shabby that I shall throw them away & I had no covering for my feet except Government shoes, had no vest at all. I intended to have been photographed but cant unless I can raise the wind some way tomorrow & I'm sure I don't know how. The Government pays my fare to often. This has been a decided change in my soldier's life & I enjoy it on that account. I felt so nice & comfortable between sheets last night that I had to lie awake almost all night to I hope to night to appreciate them sufficiently to get the desired benefit from them. I cant make up my mind to visit Genl Casey - dont know how to introduce myself. I believe Fort Richardson is near Alexandria & if so, I shall try to see Bela but I have men in my charge & I do not feel that the time is my own. I would give any thing to see him. Genl Marcy & lady & Mrs McClellan & baby came on in the train with us. Genl McC was at the depot to see them off. Had a fine opportunity to see them all. They had a car to themselves - the car that the President & the other common people ride in. The Genl (McC) sat in the car trotting the baby until the train came & then mounted his stud & galloped off. I have inquired for the 26th Regt (Steve Meech's) but cant find that they have arrived here yet. I supposed it was time for them if they came to this city. Hope to find several letters from you when again I reach camp. Recd none by last mail. our last mail brings us the sad news of the death of another of my wounded men. He was wounded in the head & was doing nicely before he went home he walked down to our camp & was round every where but probably took cold. The wounded in the hospitals round the battle field do better than those who go home. He died at home. Affct Son Chas
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