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

Wheatland, Octo. 31 Dear All, Rec'd a few days since yours finished the 24th, with Lt. Shepard & Uncle Geo & Aunt Mary at tea. Why did'nt you invite me. I am sure I could not have declined. The last mail brought - no letter - from - home - but one from Lt. Shepard dated Octo. 8. & one from - Aunt Mary - a real good & pretty long one & enclosing copies of letters of Wilkinson of Buffalo to his brother in the army. I am very much obliged to her & I shall answer if we ever get settled so that I can have a short time to my self. Her letter was dated - Sept 30 - & just recd. We marched from Pleasant Valley Tuesday (were all packed & waiting Monday & Sunday expecting to move every hour, so those two days were lost) seven miles to Lovetsville Va, crossed the river at Berlin, Md. saw Capt. Lusk a moment as we were passing the camp of 79th NYk at Lovets ville. Wednesday we remained at Lovetsville was busy making roll to be mustered on. Thursday marched to this place about six miles & to day are lying still again while our wagon trains go back to Berlin for rations for seven days. As I write we are all at home. Capt. smith co G making descriptive lists. Lieut. Ward Co H asleep on the straw. Lt. Goodrich, my 1st Lieut, at present com manding Co C (Capt. Ripley's Co.) writing home & your homesick young one sitting on his trunk, writing on a book on his knee. We are bivouacked (I never like to call this ground where we pitch our shelter tents a camp) in a beautiful oak & walnut grove & the leaves over us are all colors. We probably forward again tomorrow & where to is the question. I think first to Leesburg. Every thing looks like a campaign - may it prove short - I do hope it will not prove a winter campaign. I should dread that. No one can imagine the suffering that would follow, it must be endured to be appreciated. The expense in life & health destroyed among the men will be terrible. Bullets are not to be considered in such a campaign. All this I truly believe. We can bear it pretty well until the 1st of Dec but I believe it would be madness to push on after that time. I with 3 other officers have a good wall tent (one I found among the baggage at Washington) & I have besides the rubber blanket three good woolen ones - the men have shelter tents & only one rubber & one woolen blanket apiece. I dont consider my supply super abundant so what can I think of the men. My food is also much more abundant & better quality. Enough of this - Yesterday recd notice of Lt. Eaton's resignation & the major informed me that 2nd Lt. Goodrich of Co H was promoted & transferred to fill the vacancy. I had no previous intimation of the appointment but he is the man of all others whom I would have chosen. He was junior 2nd Lt. to Lt. Shepard & he will feel very sore over it I suppose but he is worth 50 of him. He is only 6 ft 2 inches high & straight as an arrow. It is only intended as a temporary arrangement. He will be made a Capt. soon & I suppose it was thought best to make him 1st. Lt. before promoting to Captaincy over so many 1st & 2nd Lts. - This last must not be repeated as it is entirely secret. - Dont let - Lt. Shepard - know that I wrote it was only - temporary. - Lt. G. is a Meriden man & has been in business for several years in Brooklyn N Yk enlisted as private in the Regt while we were at Jamaica L.I. - is member of church & a first rate man. His family reside in Brooklyn. I get no benefit at present from the promotion as he is commanding Co. C. The Regt is so small now that it is divided into eight Co's when we march & I command the 4th - Color - Co. - 3rd in rank. I have some of the Norwich Co - I - in my new Co. - none of my own men. One of our men has gone back to Harper's Ferry this morning & I sent by him for my shirts which I presume are there by this time I shall have to throw away some of Lt. Shepards & my own things to make room in trunk for them. Lt. S. better bring on a valise with him when he comes to carry his dudds in. He will not be allowed to carry a trunk. Dont ever send me anything that is not necessary, that I shall have to carry. I thought yesterday I should have to throw away my trunk & I should have come nearer resigning than ever before if I had been obliged Poor Steve Meech I am sorry he is connected with such a scaly Regt. How glad I am that I am with the bully eighth. Is CC Johnson sick from the cold he took while with us. Please remem ber me to him and every body. Uncle & Aunt. Love to Mo sis & bro. Chas (Top of first page.) Was very sorry to leave Washington without having a photograph taken. Had no time to myself after the first morning & no money. Recd $10 in your last Many thanks. Hope to be paid for 4 mo. soon. If you have not sent bundle of shirts don't until you hear from me as we shall have no further intercourse with Harper's Ferry.