Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.173 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Falmouth, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 16 December 1862 Pagination: 2 p. Order a Copy
Writes, "The mental suffering of the last few days & nights has been beyond expression & much as we all disliked the marching in retreat the relief of mind on putting foot to ground this side the river was wonderful." Describes retreating after six days of fighting and the tirelessness of General Burnside. Assures his family that no one they know was injured. Written from Lacey Mansion, in Falmouth, Virginia.
Lacy Mansion, Tuesday A.M. Dec. 16, 1862 Dear All, After four days & nights residence in the - "doomed" - city of Fredericksburg as the papers have called it (If I expressed my mind fully I would write a word of the same number of letters & only changing two letters from the word doomed & that word would express my feeling in regard to that accused city.) We are again back to our last camp. The mental suffering of the last few days & nights has been beyond expression & much as we all disliked the marching in retreat the relief of mind on putting foot to ground this side the river was won- derful. until last night, for the past six nights. As I write all this I bear in mind that I am a soldier & an - officer - but I know our officers, I do not know of an exception, agree with me & I believe we have seen serious enough to appreciate the dangers of our position. The whole Army evacuated last night in such good order & so silently that not a gun was fired at us and from the movements of the rebels it is evident that it was not unexpected to them. Genl Burnside has shown out - big - through the whole time, I do think he is the man for the times & this repulse is not to be ascribed to him. He has been perfectly tireless & has conducted most ably. I have been in perfect health thro' all & my bodily suffering has been - nothing -. I cant keep settled long enough to write much after adding the casualties of the last few days to our acquaintences & friends shall pocket this but to add more if any news turns up. We of course are all in the dark as to the object of the retreat & whether our desire has been simply to keep the rebel army in this vicinity. We only know that the enemy still holds their original position & that we are again on this side. I do not anticipate any immediate move on our side. Recd your 4 letters to Dec 10 yesterday P.M. while in picket outside the town. The 14th I hear suffered severely. Henry Goddard & Capt. Tubbs & Major ward's brother are - reported - wounded. I cant ascertain with certainty. No one whom you know was injured in the Eighth. Afternoon & nothing new. Chas
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