Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) to his family
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Gilder Lehrman Collection #: GLC03603.176 Author/Creator: Coit, Charles M. (1838-1878) Place Written: Fredericksburg, Virginia Type: Autograph letter signed Date: 26 December 1862 Pagination: 4 p. Order a Copy
Describes waking and reading aloud the "testimony of generals before the Conduct of the War Comm." and then preparing and eating a large Christmas dinner. Describes trying to make "lasses candy" and suspending "a Castor trimmed with evergreen and candles from the ridge pole as a chandelier." Says that General Sumner does not grant furloughs unless there is some sort of emergency. Of General Sumner he says "An old "Bull" he is indeed & I don't like him." Captain Sheffield returned after recovering with a wound and brought two recruits with him. Asks his family to keep the secret that "General Terry has again taken to his cups & pretty deeply too."
Camp 8th Reg Conn Vols Opp Fredericksburg, Dec 26 Dear All, Recd yours of 18th & 22d insts the former enclosing postage currency 75 cts. Now I must tell you how I spent Christmas 1862. Arose from my "sack of down" about 9 A.M. & partook of a breakfast the composition of which I do not remember. After breakfast smoked my pipes & read aloud the testimony of the Genls before the conduct of the war Comm. Afterwards all turned in to cook & prepare a Christmas dinner & a big one we made of it tho' it was not ready to serve up until about 4 P.M. we had roast beef, potatoes, onions, - tomatoes -, (those you sent & t'was our most delic ious dish.) pan cakes, apple sauce, pickles ^(yours) & coffee. we thought that the dinner was about right even for Christmas & I think few persons enjoyed their dinner that day more than we did. In the evening we made "lasses" candy. The first attempt was - almost - a complete failure as the syrup was burnt black & looked exactly like coke. our second trial was a success & we sweetened up considerably & then wound up about 10 P.M. with a sardine supper. So you will observe that the goodies from my home contributed not a little to our enjoyment & they are duly appreciated by all I assure you. Christmas Eve we fixed sprigs of evergreen round the tent poles & suspended a castor trimmed with evergreen & candles from the ridge pole as a chandelier. Who will say now that we did not enjoy our Christmas altho' a large portion of our time was spent over the fire cook- ing yet we were paid by our - big - dinner. I wish I could think that you passed the day as pleasantly as I did. I think all our holidays are the gloomiest days with you & all on my account too but I can hardly think it my fault for I am very sure I should spend them with you if it was possible. Wish we could have had some of George's glorious cider yesterday. Genl Sumner does not grant furloughs except in cases of absolute necessity & you can hardly im- agine a case the - he - will acknowledge as such, An old "Bull" he is indeed & I dont like him. One of our Capts (Sheffield) who was wounded at Fort Macon & left us then returned to us from Connecticut, last night. He brought - two - recruits Big business, but from all accounts he made whiskey drinking his chief business. I have no news to communicate. The weather is quite mild. Dont know any thing about Mr. H Goddard's behavior during the battle but previous to that time he was not greatly respected by his brother officers. "very clever fellow but not much of an officer" was the almost universal report. I should think Geo Ripley's position on staff of Genl Terry is company with two classmates would be very pleasant, what we here would call a "big thing." I have heard within a few months that Genl Terry has again taken to his cups & pretty deeply too. Dont repeat it as I had it in confidence Geo. asks how many "for duty" men the 8th has. I do not know exactly, about 150 - fighting - men, then there are hospital attendents, co. cooks, &c. I believe I ask for something every time I write & I can't make this an exception. I would like some money about a V. & also a towel a silk handkerchief & a knife. The last item please send in - one - package by mail. The knife I would like three bladed, a large blade at one end & two at the other, strong & good. I do think it too bad that we are not paid. I hate to keep sending to you for money but I cannot do without it. Mail time & I must close Best love Your affct son & bro Chas
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