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

1st page Lacey Mansion Dec 5, 1862
Dearest All, I sit down to write a good long letter. It's been raining since morning & this afternoon has changed to snow & it comes down in the real old fashioned way but what do I care, personally, I am so comfortable here that I rather enjoy it - a nice fire is blazing & cracking before me & every thing inside comfortable & pleasant but when I look out at the - little - cluster of shelter tents that cover all the "for duty" men of the regiment I try to be thankful that I have for the present storm at least a good shingle roof over my head. It looks dismal enough out away there. Capt Ripley arrived yesterday about noon & brought your letter inclosing Ellen's - Photographs I am so glad to get them. - If mother had only sent to, then I should have had you all, & I do prize them out here. I dons think they flatter Ellen particularly and as her hair is worn differently from last year so that at first they did not seem quite right but it is after all the same dear face & that's what I wanted. I have them deposited in my pocket book in the left side pocket along side of little [name]'s face. Now when I get mother's I shall be all right. - I shan't return either of Ellen's. I want both. - Capt Ripley looks much better than I expected but it is so sad to see him so helpless in some things. At the table some one cuts the meat for him tho' he says he can do it when it is tender but after all he is the same lively, jolly fellow & we are all rejoiced to have him with us again. He makes some fun at Shepard's expense - says Shepard was doing very well until he heard of Lt Goodrich's promo tion & also that Shepard when he heard that Lt. Eaton had resigned said "well there is a chance for someone as 2d Lt. of Co B". I am really sorry for him & I should have favored his promotion but I am glad it is as it is for he is not the man for an officer & does not command the respect of the men & can not controll them. Your letters often speak of George sitting at the Piano &c I am glad he is learning - wish I could we have an organ in the front hall & our QM Sargt plays psalm tunes & we sing sometimes but the organ needs much repairing & tuning. we are having drills of the officers, in the manual, evenings. [2] I had never tried to go thro' the manual until last Wednesday & I have always felt my difeciency while drilling the company. Sunday morning - Dec. 7, 1862. Whenever I sit down to write a line I often write a long letter. Last night was the coldest night we have experienced since we have been in the ser- vice - this morning the river is quite generally skimmed over with ice tho' it moves quite rapidly. I wish I was at home to go to church with you instead of sitting round this - green pine - open fire trying to keep it burning. Capt smith has a bayonet and pokes it incessantly. I went out into the company & asked the boys how they slept last night & they said they were too cold to sleep & I don't doubt it. Here comes a blank Return that I must fill out. Quarterly Return of Deceased soldiers. - After dinner - Major ward has been at Col Harland Qts. during the morning & returns with the report that a man in the 21st Rg. C.V. was frozen to death last night. The surgeon of the Regt says it is really so but I can- not believe it. He must either have been unwell or in some way particularly exposed. I wonder what the good people of Connecticut will think of a winter campaign when they hear that their sons & bro thers are freezing even here where they are as comfortable as it is possible in shelter tents. We hear that Genl Burnside notified the war Dept last week that he was ready - so I suppose we await orders from Washington but I should not be surprised if we remained near this place all winter - in any event I intend to have a full supply of blankets and I know I can stand it in the day time if I can sleep at night. We are so very comfortable in this old house that I should dread to move. The great objection to this place thus far is that it is [3] so comfortable that we have a great many visitors (friends) & these short days fly so rapidly that I seem to accomplish just nothing. Our room is the favorite resort & is full the whole time. Our brother officers come in before we arise from our beds of down (about 8 or 9) & we almost have to drive them away to get possession of our beds at night. Then drills consume three hours & meals another three so you see we are dreadfully busy. Had nice baked beans for dinner to day but I had to sweeten them as usual. Morton & Charlie Hale were here yesterday F.M. & sat with us a couple of hours. We are really expecting soon to be paid off & I hope then to send you at least two hundred & fifty dollars some of my bills here will be pretty heavy - commissary & mess bill U.S. over-coat, pants, blankets, & shoes. U.S. clothing is cheap but it costs money after all. - The major &c are singing "Home Again" rather a favorite song here. - How much was the city tax due last month & how do you stand now. I hope I shall want no more cash. If I sent home in the trunk any letters for members of the company please return them & I am almost out of envelopes. I have used a great many lately. The US supplies paper but very few small envelopes. If about Christmas or New Years any of my kind friends desire to make me a real expensive present I would not object to a receiving a real strong ^small field glass - like a small opera glass but much stronger. it would be of no real use to me tho' & only a kind of luxury. Has Shepard yet made up his mind when he will return. I wish I was with you in the old granite church this P.M. Are you all real well this cold weather. Love Chas Camp of the 8th Rg Connt Vols. Near Fredericksburg Va. Dec 4. 1862 Brig. General L. Thomas, Adjutant General U.S. General: I have the honor to forward herewith, Final Statements of Privates Charles Bond, John A. Dixon and Peter manor, of Company B 8th Rg. Connt vol's. Very Respectfully Your obedient Servant Chas M Coit Capt Comdg Co. B 8th C.V. When I commenced this letter to you I was short for Paper but have since recd the Quarters supply from the U.S. Lacy Mansion Decr 5th 1862